Calling All Grannies: Infant Velveteen Holiday Dress Pattern?! --HELP!!
 

All you experienced sewists out there, forgive the off-topic post, but I am at a loss and need your help. I have spent the better part of a week looking for a simple infant (6-12 mos) dress pattern that I can make up in a velveteen fabric as opposed to all the lovely heirloom and other classic patterns out there suitable for fine silks, lawns, batistes, and linens, etc. I saw possible options for sizes 2 and up, but nothing, really, for infants.

In my search I have seen virtually no holiday dress patterns for stretch fabrics like velveteen and/or knits. The fantasy is a pattern for a simple red or black velveteen dress with capped or long sleeves in size 6-9 months to which I can add an embroidered white lace collar. I already have several collar patterns, so the dress pattern itself doesn't need to have a collar, but it can't feature a gathered neck. Although that's the plan, the bodice needn't be made of velvet, but whatever fabric I use for the bodice I would love to attach a velveteen skirt to it without heavy, clunky gathers and/or bulky, clunky seams.

Do you know of an infant dress pattern that might fit the bill?

MTIA from a first-time granny whose beautiful granddau will be 3.5 months this December.

Oh, thanks, I have. I own several of those patterns and they are beautiful, but ALL seem to call for light-weight, extremely fine fabrics.

I'm in UK so not much help with actual patterns, but have you come across any for knit fabrics? You can buy stretch velvet/velour which will adapt to these patterns, my other suggestion would be to take a baby bridesmaid dress pattern use the velvet fabric for the bodice and georgette/tulle for the skirt, I have made bridesmaid dresses like that in the past.

Thanks for getting back to me. I think we are both thinking along similar lines. Unfortunately, the short answer is no, I have seen no patterns written for knits or any fabric other than the usual woven cottons, linens, & silks so frequently suggested. Therein lies the problem. I am strongly attached to the notion of a velveteen skirt, but you are so right--a velveteen bodice would not bulk up as much as a velveteen skirt. Some kind member just sent me a PM suggestion for Simplicity 2392 that might accommodate the bulk of velveteen--velveteen IS listed as a possible fabric option on the back of the envelope! I just ordered it off eBay and will either use that pattern or resort to your suggestion of a velveteen bodice with a woven-fabric skirt. Thank you so very much. I am now much more hopeful of realizing my grandmotherly fantasy of a beautiful holiday dress...Kind regards, Fran

Go to http://www.simplicity.com/c-156-babies.aspx In the upper right click on "see all" & scroll down. Note: patterns are sized by weight/height....click on the dress then size chart. I saw 3 or 4 dresses/matching panties that may be what you are looking for. The patterns don't say they are for stretch fabrics, but I would think you could use them anyway. You may need to omit the seams on the pattern to make the dress fit snugger due to the stretch. It would depend on the direction you cut the fabric/i.e. direction of stretch of fabric. I would use a serger to do the seams & if you don't have a serger then pin pin pin, as velveteen/velvets are very slippery & will walk like crazy, even with a walking foot. I would also not use any double layers of velvet or velveteen, as it makes it a tad thick & seams way to bulky. I'd line it with a nice light weight lining fabric where lining or double layers are called for.

In place of a lot of gathers at the waist or the bottom of bodice I'd do a few wide pleats to keep some fullness, starting at side seam going in opposite directions & meeting in the middle front with a sort of "V".

Good luck.

Just a thought. Years ago I made a simple jumper out of velveteen and bought a frilly blouse. It was a a jumper that buttoned on the shoulder. Good luck

Thank you!
 

I so appreciate your suggestions which not only reinforced my fears but also pointed to work-arounds! I have ordered a pattern some kind member has suggested and will test it out as soon as it arrives, taking your suggestions into account during the construction. Thank you again for such a thoughtful and considered reply. I am mostly--which is to say almost exclusively a quilter--so this attempt at dress-making is a real stretch for me. But I am determined to give it my all. Thanks again and kind regards, Fran

Jumpers & 15 Grandchildren!
 

OMG--15 grandchildren! I guess you grow into it but I can't even imagine cranking out all those heirloom baby quilts and beautiful holiday outfits. Hats off to you. Thanks for the thought--I have been eyeing jumper patterns, but wanted to pursue the fantasy outfit of capped or long sleeves with a velveteen skirt a little while longer. Kind regards, F

KwikSew patterns usually were for knit fabrics but not always able to find those. They are simple patterns that take easily to adaptations. Remember when you are cutting out velveteen that it has a nap just like corduroy does. It all has to be cut the same direction so you may need a bit more fabric to accommodate that. Been a long time since I worked with corduroy and velveteen but do remember that!