Amanda Dress

(This post contains affiliate links. I also received the fabric in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)

 

I have to admit, I'm super excited to share this dress with you!

I had been eyeing these fabrics (here and here) at Canadian National Fabric for a while--they are so delicate and feminine.

When I received them in the mail I grew even more excited--they are even more gorgeous in person, and I knew they'd be perfect for a very girly dress for my daughter.

 

 I used the Amanda Dress pattern from Lily Bird Studio.
I sized up to a size 5 since she'll be in that size this spring, I'm sure. She's almost there already.
The buttons I had purchased some time ago from Australia. I had ordered the large buttons from an Etsy shop (which is now out of business) for my husband's cardigan and thought I'd stock up a bit on extra buttons.
The wood buttons really worked well.

 

It has a tulle underskirt (my first time working with tulle, and I forgot to take a picture of it!) and is fully lined.

I have to make a confession here...I got enough of the plaid fabric to line at least the bodice. But, I couldn't bear to put that prettiness inside a dress not to be seen, once I had it in my hands. So, I bought some white cotton to line it.
You just may see this combination again in the near future...

 

With the circle skirt, this dress is perfect for twirling, the slightly puffed sleeves add even more 'fanciness.'

It's funny, when I hear the term, 'puff sleeves,' I think of Anne of Green Gables.

The construction of the dress was lengthy, but the results are amazing.

I had to use dental floss for gathering as gathering all three layers (lining, tulle, and main) was a bit much for my thread--it kept snapping.

I just did a wide, long zigzag stitch over dental floss, making sure not to catch the floss with the needle, but keeping it centered. Then you just pull the floss. Perfect.

 

I'm not sure where my daughter gets her modelling skills from but she cracks me up.

The only thing I tell her is to sit or stand or turn around.

She makes all the faces and poses.

 

Some more shots of the absolute prettiness of the fabric. 



Canadian National Fabric has a great sale section, including all their Christmas fabric. They also have a great selection of fabrics such as denim, fleece, and organics!

And, with shipping for $3.50 to Canadian addresses and free shipping over $50, you can't go wrong.

(US shipping is $20 flat rate and International is $40 flat rate.)  

 In January, they'll be starting a points system--more details on that are still to come, so make sure to like their Facebook page to get the details when they come.