You can always make a straight hemmed edge along the "zipper area" and use some soft velcro closures.

Okay I've cut the lining and I've started putting it all together. OMG! What a pain in the rear, give me a quilt anyday. :D :D I've got to get back to it and rip out the shoulder because I did the front properly but the liner backwards... So the seams face the inside of the dress as opposed to nicely tucked away forever in the lining.

Somewhere someone commented, "if you're a quilter a 5/8" seam allowance looks huge" and that's 100% true!

I agree with you... With that zipper, the collar should probably fit better. I would suggest interfacing and make another set of collars for the underside in a cream/white (can't tell from the photo the background) or other colour in the fabric. Once the collar is on, you can clip it in places to allow for my movement.

it's tough to go back those 5/8" seams that's for sure. When I first started sewing I was making clothes. I cant' remember the last time I made an outfit for myself!!! I still have fabric for outfits matched with patterns.. Who knows if I'll ever get back to that.... maybe some day.. Right now I have too many other quilting projects to play with!

This looks like a pattern I had from my sister (she's now 39). I used it for my daughters and godchild. Let me scan the pattern instructions and email it to you. Can you PM me your email address and I'll do it tonight?

Yes, i fought with the collar too. I also made it in the 6 months size and lengthened it for christening gowns (no collar). My godchild's was the nicest- layers of satin and lace and tiny roses I attached with long streaming satin ribbons. She was a bit slippery, but beautiful!

Barb

I bet that is true and from the other perspective-when you start as a seamstress-the quarter inch looks so TINY. I had to keep telling myself it was enough, and it will hold! LOL

Sounds like you have enough tips to be able to put it together. If it gets too awful for you, stick it in a envelope and send it here! I'd be willing to finish it up for you. :D

The pattern looks pretty simple. The collar would need to be lined with interfacing. I would suggest a facing for the neckline. I don't see the facing pattern pieces. A zipper down the back would be my suggestion. A slip underneath would omit the lining. Good luck with the dress. It could be VERY cute!

Susan

If you send it to me I'll make it for you! ...I havent made many little girls dresses since my grankids grew up!

Karen xx

Thanks everyone. I didn't have any trouble with the collar at all, I just cut a second peice of everything but the sleeves out of my white muslin. I took the collar and sewed one face and one muslin piece wrong sides together and it lined up with the neckline beautifully. I've been having some trouble getting all the pieces that have to be sewed together all once for the neckline. (the collar the lining and the front). Some of my daughters dresses where made with lining which I sort of remember from when I cut them apart to make her quilt.

I have the front part sewed, but I didn't know that I should have the back ready, so I'm ripping a little.

Thanks for the offer Barb I'll get that off to you in a minute.

Well Loretta here's where I am now. below I have attached photos of the bodice which I was able to get through thanks to all the wonderful comments above.

Now for the sleeves. ACK! :D

As you can see from the photo graphs I have one pattern cut. It clearly needs to be gathered a bit.

The way I learned to run a gather is to stitch pull a long bit of bobbin thread up to the top, and then zigzag over the bobbin thread. Pull the bobbin thread a little viola. How far in do I need to do that on the sleeve? 5/8"? Or in a bit?

And I don't know what to do about the bottom of the sleeve either. You can see in the photos that it curves on the bottom, so perhaps it's not suppose to be... AWhh, I don't know how it goes!