Princess Dress with a Little Extra 'Pizzazz"- Simplicity 2569 with Online Shopping List!

My sweet granddaughter, Lena.

My daughter-in-law, Elisabeth, wondered if I could make the granddaughters, Lena (5) and Lillie (1), princess dresses for Christmas. I thought that would be so fun and it was!  I fell in love with this Simplicity Sewing Pattern 2569.

While scanning the clearance aisles, I found some luminescent organza fabric and decided to substitute it for half the tulle. It was a bit more pricey, but on sale was not too bad and--wow--it really did add a lot of 'pizazz' to what would have been a fairly plain skirt.

Turns out the first dress was a bit too small for Lena so little Lillie will get the shorter pink one. I shortened the skirt because her mom thought it might be too much to manage for a toddler.

However, Lena, begged for a longer skirt and as I had to lengthen the bodice for her long torso anyway,  I made her dress the length called for by the pattern. Her dress was all in purples. It's hard to say which I like better!

 Matching up the skirt to gather proved to be a big challenge but gathering was very easy--surprisingly so. For this second skirt, I  just sewed two long rows of stitching as it gathered so easily.

This part was the hardest--stitching the gathered skirt to the lining, but even that went pretty well considering the thickness. The netting crushes down pretty flat when you actually stitch through all the layers.

If you are making the smallest size, I'd suggest trying to take out a bit of the width of the peplum because it's very wide on a toddler. I'm saving the scraps to make 18" doll dresses to match for their birthdays.  

Here's the shopping list for this pattern:

(Note: If you want to see a picture of an item, just hover over the link and it will pop-up. If it doesn't, you may need to disable adblock for my website.)

For the pink dress 

Fabric:

• Satin - 60" Hot Pink Charmeuse Satin Fabric by the Yard- 1 Yard
• Shiny Organza - Translucent Iridescent Stretch Lamé Organza Fuchsia 44 Inch Wide Fabric by the Yard (F.E.®) (the shiny stuff)
• Glitter Tulle - Bubblegum Pink Glitter Tulle Fabric - by the Yard
• Pink Tissue Lame - (for belt and hat) Tissue Lame Pink Fabric or Tissue Lame Fuchsia Fabric   
• Lining - Lining Fabric, Quality Polyester Lining for Clothes, 60" wide, 2 Yard Lot, Pink

Notions:

• 3/4" Pink floral trim  (This link is for 5 yards. Trimcraft also sells purple flowers.)
• Pink Dual Duty XP All Purpose Thread
• Coats Thread & Zippers Coil Separating Zipper, 12-Inch, Light Pink or
• COATS&CLARK Coil Separating Zipper 14-Inch, Light Pink
• Dritz 9530W Braided Elastic, White, 8-Yard by 1/4-Inch
• Dyno Merchandise Singer Hook and Loop Adhesive Back Tape, 3/4 by 24-Inch, White  For the purple dress
• Pellon Sof-Shape Light Fusible Interfacing White 20" Wide By The Yard
• Disney Princess Sofia the First Tiara and Wand Set - Silver and Purple

For the purple dress

Fabric:

• Light Purple Satin - 60" Light Purple Charmeuse Satin Fabric by the Yard- 1 Yard
• Silver Lame - Tissue Lame  Silver 44 Inch Wide Fabric By the Yard (F.E.®)
• Deep Purple Tulle - Purple Glitter Tulle Fabric - by the Yard
• Deep Blue Iridescent Lame Organza (under skirt) Translucent Iridescent Stretch Lamé Organza Royal Blue 44 Inch Wide Fabric by the Yard (F.E.®)  (You could use white or fuschia)
• Lining - 60" Wide Purple Lining Fabric by the Yard

Notions:

• Altotux 7/8" White Ivory Venice Lace Flower Sequins Bead Floral Trim 3/8" Ribbon (White)
• Light Purple Dual Duty XP All Purpose Thread or
• Lavender Dual Duty XP All Purpose Thread
• Coats Thread & Zippers All-Purpose Plastic Zipper, 12-Inch, Purple or
• COATS&CLARK All-Purpose Plastic Zipper, 14-Inch, Purple
• Dritz 9530W Braided Elastic, White, 8-Yard by 1/4-Inch
• Dyno Merchandise Singer Hook and Loop Adhesive Back Tape, 3/4 by 24-Inch, White
• Pellon Sof-Shape Light Fusible Interfacing White 20" Wide By The Yard
• Offray Single Face Satin Craft Ribbon, 7/8-Inch x 18-Feet, Regal Purple
• Disney Princess Sofia the First Tiara and Wand Set - Silver and Purple

Lillie, now 3, wearing dress B, and Lena, 5, wearing dress A.

On Skype, Lena and Lillie were prancing and dancing all over the  living room!  They were so enchanted with their new dresses.  Her mom said Lena never took her dress off all day.

 It's so fun sewing for grandchildren! 

 If you have a princess dress you've sewn and would like to share, send me the link on my contact form below. I'd love to see it!

Happy Homemaking!

Donna