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Miss Alice's Big Sister


I have been working on styling for the older girl version of Miss Alice, this is always so important to me (and my big girl, Molly). Some of you asked for this to go up to larger sizes but I honestly wasn't feeling it at all. I felt like it would look way too young for the older girl, and after talking to Molly about how she felt about it I was thinking that it might not happen. I do so understand the need for modest dresses for our older girls, and well know of the pattern shortage for this age group, and I have also done my very best to provide that.....so, I thought....and thought....and this is what I came up with, a belt! That takes it from baby sister to big sister!

The belt gives the dress a whole new look! It has a "Anne of Avonlea" feel to me. What do you think? Molly was very happy with it, she said that she definitely feels her age in this dress. Being the oldest she seems very sensitive about this issue, looking the part of the oldest sister is very important to her. Of course the belt is completely optional so each little lady could choose for herself.

Now I just need your thoughts on it. You are the people buying my patterns, tell me what you think! Do you like the direction this is going? I will be joining in the discussion in the comments section. Thanks mamas!

PS. That yellow-gold fabric is in the shop ;)

Comments

Coralee said…
love the belt - you're right it changes the look a lot!
Tyler & Brenda said…
I love this pattern! I have two older girls 9 and 11 and a five year old. The belt changes this just enough to make it look more mature yet maintaining a modest appearance. This pattern is on my list of patterns to purchase when it's ready.

Great job!
LadySnow said…
Oh My....I absolutely love it! I think the belt does the job of maturing the pattern perfectly. :-)
~LisaLou~ said…
Great pattern! I really like this dress. Thanks for thinking one up for the bigger girls. It is hard to find patterns for them. The little ones are just so darn cute though!
Rose and Ivy said…
I think the belt option is a great idea-- as you said it could always be left off but it does make it a bit more "grown up." I love it!
Desiree' said…
Love this dress!! I have arange of girls 1-13 so this would be perfect.
BTW, did you end up with Wasatch?
Anonymous said…
I like it with the belt too - It might complicate the pattern but it would look cute as a built in waistband.
Unknown said…
I like the belt--it really works! Though the gathers under the arms seem a bit too much with the belt. Nothing huge--just a little thing I noticed....maybe a little less gathering? I don't know--this is why other, more talented people come up with the designs and patterns! ;)
Anonymous said…
Love it, love it, love it Sam! Can I be your biggest fan,... ever???!!! :)Cami
Samantha Caffee said…
Great ideas!!!

Kimberly, I merged your idea whith what I already had and came up with this...I'm going to include instructions for sewing the front of the waistband to the front of the dress that way the gathers don't shift around and the front will stay flat.If I did a built in waistband I would have to add a placket and buttons, and I think that would be really pretty, but it would take the dres out of the beginner category. I would have never thought of the "stay put" belt though if you hadn't mentioned that! Great idea! Thank you so much!


Monster Bug,

I see what you mean about the gathers, it may not be to everyones taste, but there has to be a certian amount of ease in the skirt to allow for full range of motion. Think pencil skirts, you know how you can't really take big steps in them? That's what it would do. BUT! It would be easy for the folks that don't care for the amount of gathers to decrease the gathers a little and add a slight A-line to the skirt to solve the range of motion problem. Maybe I could even do a free download on that like I did the with the Miss Madeline sleeve! Thanks so much for your thoghts! It will be great for people to have that little add-on!

Anyone else have any ideas?

xoxo,
Sam
Anonymous said…
I love this pattern! I can't wait to purchase it. Great idea with the belt. It is so hard to find cute patterns for older girls, so this is great. Thanks!
Helen said…
I love it. Just a thought, would it make it much harder if instead of gathers in the big sister dress, there were pleats, so you get the fullness without the puffiness?
Only suggesting cos you asked.. :)
Molly said…
Love the belt! It's funny how one little change can make such a difference in the dress. My older girls (9 and 12) really like it. The only thing that they said they would like to change are the ties on the shoulders. Would it be possible to have a wider strap on the shoulder that matches the belt and doesn't tie?
Hayes said…
Sam, I asked my oldest DD, Celeste to come look. I showed her the "Miss Alice" first. She liked it, but said it was too little girl. She's 10 by the way. Then, I scrolled up to show it with the belt and she LOVES it! I think you've hit a home run with it. Let me know when you need testers. I have girls in sizes 8, 10, and 12 that I sew for!
Anonymous said…
I had started a comment when you first posted the pattern to tell you that I loved it and I would definitely buy it. I had also wanted to ask about making the pattern for older girls (I have a 9 and 11 year old), but I didn't finish it! And you've just read my mind! I just love the belt, you have made a wonderful pattern with just the things I would want for their ages. Thank you, and I hope you can get it finished soon, I need it for some new dresses!! Take sweet care, Kathleen
Linda B said…
What do you think of an apron attached to the belt? Would that make it too "little"?
Mindy said…
Beautiful! I love the photos too!
Samantha Caffee said…
Harooney!

You are awesome! LOL! You are not going to believe this but when I got your comment I had just sewn up a mini sample with pleats! And it was super cute! That is a really good option, and really easy for mamas to modify without any help. Thanks!

Molly,

Yes, that's another thing that would be easy for most mamas to modify on their own, all you would have to do is wider strap and add a button (you could even put a snap on the inside). Good call1

Linda,

It may make it a little more babyish, but it might look cute for the older girls, and you could certainly slip it under the waistband like in the Miss Madeline. I'd like to see someone try that! Maybe I will do a mini...

Thanks mamas for all of your input! This pattern is really getting done quick so I think it will be ready by the end of the month!

xoxo,
Samantha
Anonymous said…
Happy big 3-0 Sam! Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Love you miss you!

Crys
jenn said…
I love this design! I think it looks great just as is. The belt really "makes" it in my opinion!
Good job!!
Helen said…
Great minds think alike ;)

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