08 May New Look 6057
Happiness may be a new puppy, but a new baby on the way is pure elation!
Greetings from beautiful Scottsdale, AZ! We’re here celebrating Mother’s Day with our little mother-to-be and her husband. Katie thinks she is having a girl, but I think she’s having a boy!
She and Will are one of the few couples I know who are not finding out the gender of their child. How am I supposed to sew anything for Little Baby without knowing if it’s a boy or a girl 😉
For our special Mother’s Day celebration I made a new dress with a pattern I’ve owned for years, but have never sewn – New Look 6057
The pattern originally reminded me of Lilly Pulitzer dresses with a bonus – the cleverly designed pockets!
Sewn into the princess seams they can be as conspicuous or as invisible as you desire.
My desire was to make the pockets as inconspicuous as possible to create a longer silhouette.
For the fabric I selected a tangerine and white geometric stretch from Mood Fabrics. My original intention was to make a dress with no contrast pieces, but the geometric design was too tricky to handle for the collar which actually connects the front and back bodices. Fortunately I found a piece of matching linen in the stash to pull it all together.
Another flattering pattern feature is the concealed side zipper which zips down from the arm. Double-click on the photo below for an up close view..
Since I have sewn so many princess seam dresses I skipped the muslin. The pattern itself combined with the stretchy fabric made for a large dress which required enormous seams. All seams were finished with the serger and the dress is not lined due to the heavier weight of the fabric. I’m pleased with the result although it could use a little tweaking here and there.
Wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day for those who are celebrating and a beautiful Sunday afternoon to all!
Until soon 🙂
Deborah Penner
Posted at 11:32h, 08 MayYou will love being a grandmother. We have three grandkids. It is a special kind of love.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:08h, 09 MayI can’t wait, Deborah!
Florencia Lombardo
Posted at 11:33h, 08 MayHappy Mother’s Day to you! And congrats on the baby on the way! Love your new dress and the fabric choices.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:09h, 09 MayThank you, Florencia! It was a great day 🙂
Ramona Walter
Posted at 11:38h, 08 MayGreat job and looks so nice on you. Congratulations on the grandchild. I have two.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:10h, 09 MayMany thanks, Ramona! We are excited 😉
Rhoda K
Posted at 11:44h, 08 MayCongrats to the new-to-be grandparents! I’m sure you’ll enjoy sewing for him/her. I love your dress, especially the pockets. Enjoy your stay!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:11h, 09 MayMany thanks, Rhoda! The pockets are da bomb 😉
Jeanne Paulsen
Posted at 11:46h, 08 MayBeautiful. I love the pattern and fabric. Congratulations on your grandchild. Our daughter and her husband did not find out the gender of their baby either. My vote was for a boy also. We welcomed our granddaughter in March this year.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:13h, 09 MayLOL – that’s often the way it works, and of course, we will be happy with either 😉 Many thanks for the comment!
Theresa in Tucson
Posted at 11:51h, 08 MayAs someone who thought she was having a girl, even best guesses by the radiologist can be wrong. Congratulations on pending grandmotherhood. Love the pockets on the dress. I’m going to borrow the idea for a KWIK SEW pattern of mine.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:14h, 09 MayThank you so much, Teresa! I hope you could tell by the construction photos that the side front pieces are split and joined by the pocket.
Gerhild
Posted at 12:03h, 08 MayThis dress is very flattering. I’m glad you used a solid for the collar/band. It gives the eyes a place to rest. I’ve been doing this lately as well when I’m using a busy pattern on a top or dress. Happy Mother’s Day.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:15h, 09 MayMany thanks, Gerhild. I knew I needed to make the change as soon as I put the geometric collar on the dress 😉
Carolyn
Posted at 12:13h, 08 MayLove the dress and the neckline! You’re right those inset pockets are the best! Happy Mother’s Day to you and your daughter!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:16h, 09 MayThank you so much, Carolyn! Hope you had a Happy Mother’s Day too 🙂
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas
Posted at 12:46h, 08 MayThanks for sharing! I have this pattern too, and like you, it’s been sitting unused in my pattern stash for a few years! WHY? It’s such a lovely silhouette and the perfect summer dress!
barbara
Posted at 15:12h, 08 Mayomg!! me, too! but the reason it’s been sitting there is that i don’t know about the join between the bodice and the ‘collar’. i’m a full-busted lady (only 36, but K cup) and i’m not sure if my bra strap will show or if i’ll need a specialty bra for it. my rule has always been – no specialty bras for one item. they’re just too darn expensive and strapless won’t stay up. i have made a toile and with a lot of fidgeting, and standing very still i can make it work. but with different fabric and a different bra i’m not too sure. if it shows, i can’t think of a retro-fit to cover it up.
any ideas out there? or should i just look at the pattern every once in a while and smile ?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:19h, 09 MayTry tying your bra straps in the back with dental floss. You’ll have the flexibiity to adjust the straps to fit the dress.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:17h, 09 MaySue – You should make this one. I know whatever you do will be really cute 🙂
Paula LH
Posted at 13:12h, 08 MayPerfect summer dress! Dresses are so much cooler in the heat than shorts, too. I DON’T have it in MY stash, but maybe I ought to!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:21h, 09 MayThank you so much, Paula! I too love a summer dress. Shorts are fine but dresses are cooler and more versatile. 😉
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 14:10h, 08 MayGreat dress! You’re going to be the best-dressed, youngest looking grandmother ever! Old fashioned Baby has some great patterns that can be made in a unisex way — provided your son-in-law is not averse to putting day gowns on little boys!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:22h, 09 MayThank you Cissie 😉 I’ll look into Old Fashioned Baby patterns. I think he’ll be fine with the day gowns.
Manju
Posted at 14:30h, 08 MayGreat dress grandma 🙂 exciting times ahead!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:23h, 09 MayLOL – thank you, Manju!!
jennifer miller
Posted at 14:37h, 08 MayYour sweet new bundle will have the snazziest grandmother! Your new dress is so pretty, love the contrast yoke. Sweet that a couple chooses to be surprised these days. Congratulations to one and all!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:24h, 09 MayThank you so much, Jennifer 🙂 It’s an exciting time!
Kathie Bennett
Posted at 14:51h, 08 MayFabulous dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:24h, 09 MayThank you, Kathie!!
JS
Posted at 16:05h, 08 May“How am I supposed to sew anything for Little Baby without knowing if it’s a boy or a girl?
Yellow, green, and it doesn’t matter if you dress a girl in blue and vice-versa.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:26h, 09 MayLOL – thanks for the advice, JS. . I’m sure I’ll find a happy medium 😉
Cindy Aymes
Posted at 16:19h, 08 MayWow, you really nailed those pockets! They, along with your zipper, are downright invisible!! Love the fabric and the dress! You look FAB , grandma-to-be!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:27h, 09 MayAhhhh……….such a nice comment, Cindy! The zipper went in as invisibly as any zipper I have ever inserted 😉 It was a fun dress to make!
Karen Helm
Posted at 16:44h, 08 MayWell, congratulations on a beautiful new, casual, fun dress – and on impending grandmother-hood! Good for your daughter and husband – both of our granddaughters arrived as little question marks – and it’s pretty fun that way! You’ll have plenty of time to sew for your little miss or master! Happy Mother’s Day, Sarah!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:29h, 09 MayThank you so much, Karen! Truly we are loving the surprise of it all. I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day too 🙂
Creative Hormone Rush
Posted at 16:58h, 08 MayHahahaha! From a distance, it looks like the happy grandparents-to-be are dressed in pink and blue! Fabulous dress, and fabulous news. Knowing you, the kid will have a complete set of hooded baby sacks within hours after birth. (You’re such an overachiever you probably made them before you left.) Don’t forget to make a few oversize terrycloth bibs for your daughter, too — perfect for baby drool and such.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:31h, 09 MayLOL – Hubs was a good sport. Not exactly his cup of tea 😉
Hooded baby sacks and oversize bibs? I need to do some research!
Creative Hormone Rush
Posted at 00:21h, 10 MaySee Kwik Sew 3089. They’re basically zip-up bags with armholes or sleeves and either a neck hole or, for cooler weather, a little hood. They avoid the suffocation risk that blankets can pose for newborn babies.
Cherie
Posted at 18:05h, 08 MayA fabulous dress with interesting details – that pocket is neat, and your zip truly is invisible! Sewing for babies is addicting! You could make some onesies etc beforehand, and then plan that, if a girl, a lace border can be sewn on, or girly ribbons sewn on; even girly fabrics added as large borders, etc. Or appliqué boy things like boats or trains on the front of a garment.
But you are so creative, you’ll come up with many ways!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:33h, 09 MayYikes – I don’t need another addiction, Cherie, but hopefully I can sew with moderation 😉
Many thanks for the comment!
Myra Rentmeester
Posted at 18:15h, 08 MayCongratulations Grandma!! And a Very, very pretty dress Ms. Sarah!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:34h, 09 MayThank you so much, Myra!!
Joan
Posted at 20:03h, 08 MayYellow and green — that was the answer from our babyhoods in the 1950’s — 70’s!
Very cute summer dress! And how wonderful that you actually had a great matching linen in tangerine — without that, it might have derailed finishing the dress in time for your trip! 100% validation for a substantial stash… 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:35h, 09 MayIndeed – the stash is always a good thing 😉 Many thanks Joan!
Becky Bagwell
Posted at 20:07h, 08 MayToo,cute! Love you guys!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:36h, 09 MayAhhhh…….. you’re so sweet, Becky!
MaryEllen
Posted at 20:54h, 08 MayYour dress version is just stunning ! I love the addition pop of contrast collar . You have such a great sense of style & color use .
Glad you are enjoying my Valley of the Sun !
Congrats on your 1st grandchild – being a grandma is the best even tho our DGD lives in NYC
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:38h, 09 MayWe love this beautiful area of the country, MaryEllen – such wonderful weather, scenery and fabulous restaurants!
The solid collar was definitely the right decision;)
Maggie Edger
Posted at 21:18h, 08 MayGrandchildren are so special and so happy the family is continually growing. Your dress is so cheerful. I love it.
A Maggie
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:40h, 09 MayThank you, Maggie! We’re really excited for Katie and Will…… and us of course 🙂
Sew Jean Margaret
Posted at 07:32h, 09 MayLovely dress and the contrasting neckline works beautifully. Congratulations on the exciting news. Grandchildren are such a blessing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:41h, 09 MayThank you so much, Jean! All is very exciting for sure 🙂
Cheryl Lemmons
Posted at 09:32h, 09 MaySarah, congratulations to you and your family. Being a grandmother is the best thing ever! Your open will open up in new ways you never thought possible. Such joy!!!
This is such a cute dress. Can’t wait to see the book you and Julie have done.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:43h, 09 MaySo nice to hear from you, Cheryl! We look forward to the new arrival, due in September.
Many thanks for your nice comment.
Amanda S.
Posted at 10:10h, 09 MayCongratulations on the new baby! You will be an awesome grandma. The dress is very nice as well, and the contrast collar gives it that little something special.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:46h, 09 MayThank you, Amanda – so looking foward to a new baby! The contrast collar collar was just what the dress needed 😉
Andrea Verbanic
Posted at 11:12h, 09 MayI didn’t find out the gender of my children. It’s the best surprise ever! Congrats! And your dress is great, as usual.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:47h, 09 MaySurprises like this are the best for sure! Many thanks, Andrea 🙂
Julie Starr
Posted at 17:35h, 09 MayYou and Katie both look wonderful and I love your matching sunglasses! How nice that you were able to spend Mother’s Day together. I’ve had this pattern in my stash for a few years and always meant to get around to it. I especially love that it’s sleeveless but still has good coverage around the armscye area. A perfect summer dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:40h, 09 MayThank you, Julie! This pattern seems to be in many readers’ stashes 🙂 I’d like to make it once more but don’t have a vision yet.
It was a great Mother’s Day – many thanks!
Loretta Somerville
Posted at 19:51h, 09 MayCongratulations to you, grandmother to be! I have 3, I say it is like being in love! So much to look forward to. My daughter and her hubby also wanted “that moment” of surprise, Grandparenting is magical, I feel truly blessed for the experience and I know you will too!
Your dress is lovely, like you!
Loretta Somerville
Pittsburgh
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:25h, 09 MayThank you so very much, Loretta! I am thrilled and also appreciate your nice comment about the dress 😉
Claire
Posted at 21:25h, 09 MayCongrats and great dress. I hope you will post some of the grandma made baby clothes on your blog when the time comes. I just ordered Liberty lawn + yarn from Purl Soho last week during their annual sale for the slew of baby gifts I need to give in the coming months. The sale may still be going on if you are interested… Also their blog is great for simple sewn baby items like bibs, blankets, swaddling cloths etc. I find that they have a fresh aesthetic with lots of gender neutral inspiration. Enjoy this special time!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:49h, 09 MayThank you so much, Claire! I haven’t sewn baby clothes before, so I’m not sure where to begin. I’ll check out Liberty 😉
Lori
Posted at 22:26h, 09 MayBeautiful dress, but most of all congratulations to you Nana, it is amazing
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:13h, 11 MayThank you, Lori! I can’t wait 🙂
Mary Funt
Posted at 06:21h, 10 MayHappy Mothers Day and congratulations. You will have such fun sewing baby things. I know many couples who chose not to know the sex ahead of time. It does add to the excitement. Best wishes to the parents to be.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:15h, 11 MayThank you, Mary! Do you reccomend any baby patterns?
Tiffany
Posted at 10:03h, 10 MayI love all of your sewing projects but i can’t wait to see what kind of sewing you do for this new baby. Please share it all with us. There is no greater joy than becoming a grandmother !!
Goodbye Valentino
Posted at 07:17h, 11 MayI’ll be happy to share Tiffany, and we can’t wait for the little bundle of joy to arrive 🙂
CarolinasCallin
Posted at 21:51h, 10 MayHow exciting – and she look wonderful!! Fun to be surprised, but it does propose a challenge getting things ready – especially the nursery!
Your dress is super, too! I’ve always liked that pattern – I have it and also another variation on it by one of the big 4, I believe. Of course, I haven’t made it yet…!
Enjoy your time in AZ!
Goodbye Valentino
Posted at 07:20h, 11 MayHi Cheryl!!
I hope you’re in recovery mode after the second wedding in a year. It’s exhilarating and completely exhausting, huh?
She is going with a gender neutral nursery – lots of Pinterest inspiration, but the biggest challenge for me is being so far away ;(
About the dress, I don’t know why I never made the pattern, but I do like it. Many thanks for the comment !
Mary
Posted at 17:18h, 11 MaySarah, I just discovered your blog and am so inspired by your beautiful work! Have you ever done a post showing your closet? I guess I’m a nosey nelly, but I would love to see it! I’m mostly a quilter but want to start sewing garments again. Thanks for the inspiration!
Margo
Posted at 06:35h, 12 MayHow wonderful! Congrats Grandma! Love the dress, it looks fabulous on you!
mary
Posted at 11:15h, 13 MayCongratulations!
They might like a few baprons… a pattern I wish I’d known about when mine were little.
My favorite bibs for my son were definitely the towels. The little specialty shop had taken a hand towel, cut a hole into it, finished that hole with sweatshirt ribbing. He couldn’t yank them off, and they were faster than velcro, and less annoying than snaps or ties. Just for proportion, the front of the towel hangs approximately till a six month old belly button. (I was going to say waistline….hahaha)
Joyce Latham
Posted at 08:11h, 15 MayCongrats ! A new grand baby, such fun. Love the dress, the neckline really suits you.
Sandra in WA
Posted at 10:55h, 04 JuneI am also the “new 40” and in a few months will be the “new 41” I guess! My son and his wife just had their 3rd baby and opted to not find out gender till HE was born. I made a simple little knit jacket and pants in a neutral gray with white polka dot cotton knit. I figured it could be paired with whatever color shirt, socks, hat, etc for gender fun after baby was born. Both pieces can be worn separately or together. The pattern was gifted to me and is OOP, but is a big 3 standard pattern. I did find the sizing to be HUGE. I made the preemie size given and it was roomy on an 8+pound newborn.
Try out Oliver + S patterns for baby and children. They fit very nicely and have such amazing construction instructions. Also,, I’m as big a fan of Kwik-Sew children’s patterns as I was 30 years ago when sewing for my own children. I also use my old Stretch n Sew patterns for kids wear, especially swimsuits..
One thing about baby clothes is that they are small and stitch up quickly, so even if you wait till baby is here, you can get a lot done in a short amount of time. FYI, check out the free patterns on Mellysews.com. I just made the baby boy romper and it is super sweet.
One final thing…double gauze is all the rage these days for baby swaddling. A yard and a quarter makes a very nice square swaddle wrap and my daughter in law uses them daily. I have started to notice infant garments out of double gauze too. I am anxious to give that a try.
Oh, and Kwik-Sew is having an online sale right now!!!!! Patterns for$.3.99!