Itty bitty stitching!

When Tilly posted about this cute little baby dress back in May, I knew it would be the perfect gift for two very close friends of mine who are each expecting their first baby (girls obviously) within a week of each other.


The Itty Bitty Baby Dress pattern from made by RAE is a free download and super easy to make, with plenty of variation possibilities. It’s sized for newborns, so it comes out very tiny and takes minimal fabric and time to make. I stayed true to the pattern for these two versions because it’s too cute not to really - I just cut out the larger of the two sizes and lengthened the shoulder ties a smidgeon.



There’s just one seam at the back of the skirt which I french seamed, I overlocked the waistline for extra strength and I finished the lined bodice according to the Elisalex instructions so there are no exposed seams there. If you're interested, Rachel has had a successful go at making an equally adorable reversible version.



To give you a sense of how small these dresses are, I thought it would be fun to photograph them against my two Mathilde blouses. Bonkers isn't it?!?



And thanks to your sound patchwork advice here, I was also able to make a colourful blanket for each friend and her baby! I don't know why, but these were so much fun to make. They are much smaller than my first patchwork project - a bunting tablecloth - so they came together with a lot less hassle. I was even surprised when all the squares actually lined up perfectly!



To make these I sewed the squares together in rows and then sewed the rows together to make the full blanket. I decided to press my seams to one side instead of open this time and ironed vigorously. I then smoothed and pinned on a plain flannel backing (a lot of smoothing and pinning on a flat surface was required) and finished the edges with some wide bias binding.



I made these cute bundles with so much love and knowing that they have gone to very appreciative homes (not everyone 'gets' handmade after all!) has quite literally made my month...or maybe even my year! I now can't wait to meet the itty bitty recipients, but we're still waiting for them to make an entrance!

 

I should say that I attribute much of the success of these projects to the gorgeous fabrics I had at my disposal. They were all sourced from two excellent shops - The Village Haberdashery and m is for make - both of which have amazing fabrics in their 'sale' sections, yearlong it would seem. In fact, thinking about it, I picked all of these up in their respective sale sections!

32 comments:

  1. omg these are adorable.... and great mind think alike!!! These little babies are very lucky!

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    1. Yes, I saw your clever reversible one Rachel...very cute!

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  2. Oh my god Marie they're GORGEOUS! The only downside of having boys is not being able to make them tiny little dresses! I love the fabrics you've chosen for the dresses and the blankets. Your friends are very lucky, I bet they really appreciate such beautiful and thoughtful gifts. I still can't get my head around how tiny baby clothes are! x

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    1. Aaaw, thank you Jane! I've really never been broody before until making these dresses...hahaha! Although if I ever do have children, I bet I have boys too!

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  3. so beautiful and so detailed. two very lucky babies

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  4. These teeny dresses are so cute, I'm sure the expectant mums will be thrilled to receive such lovely gifts.

    My BFs younger brother and soon to be SIL have just had a little boy, so I couldn't make him a cute dress, but I did make him an extra special baby book so he can learn his first words.

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    1. Oh wow, a baby book! That sounds amazing! Did you use a 'pattern' or tutorial for that...please do share!

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  5. Aaaargh these are so stinking cute I'm overwhelmed. My friend just had a boy :-( and I was so looking forward to making a dress like this. Those are very lucky little babies to have you making them gifts!

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    1. Thanks Amy, I loved making these! Isn't it bad that we get a bit sad when we hear someone close to us is having a boy...it's the curse of being a stitcher and wanting to make dresses all the time ;o)

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  6. AHHHHHH!!!!! These are SO CUTE! Little mice with spools of thread?!?!?! I'm dying over here! So sweet! I'm kind of wishing my nephew was a niece right now (but don't tell my sister that!)!

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    1. Ahahaha, I won't tell...but I think you're in good company here ;o)

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  7. Your friends are very lucky to have you :-) They're gorgeous dresses and the patchwork blankets are just great.

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  8. Aaw, so sweet! My best friend is due next month with a little boy. Having had a daughter I've had a lot of fun shopping and making for when he arrives! At present the gift bundle completely fills one carrier bag, and I haven't even done the quilt or knitted blanket yet. I suspect he's going to be a very spoilt little boy! Especially as I keep adding ideas to the list of things I want to make for him, lol.

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  9. These are so stinking cute and the perfect baby gift!!

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  10. Awww gorgeous dresses!!! LOVE the fabric! :)

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  11. Crazy adorable! What lucky mums-to-be! :)

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  12. Oooh so sweet! I have nephews or nieces on the way with a pregnant sister and a pregnant sister in law - I don't know what they're having, but now I am hoping that at least one is a girl so I can make them some of these dresses! Marie, you are a really lovely friend to have poured such love into making these, and it shows. They're beautiful xxx

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    1. Thank you Roisin! Equally, your sister and sister in law are both very lucky to have you as well!xx

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  13. So so so cute - what beautiful gifts for your friends. Your sewing is so perfect on both the dresses and the gorgeous patchwork quilts. What lucky lucky friends!

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    1. Thanks Suzie! I wouldn't say perfect though...hehe!

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  14. Aww they are so cute! So teeny tiny. I was going to make this for Imogen and never got around to it.

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    1. You've made Imogen some other amazing things though, so I don't think she's gone without...haha!

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  15. Oh my gosh, these are the cutest! I know someone that just had a baby girl... we're not great friends, but I kind of want to make her a dress for the baby because the pattern is so adorable!

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    1. Hehe, this made me laugh! I feel exactly the same - now that I know how fast and easy those dresses are, I'm tempted to make them for everyone I know having a baby girl...even if we're not that close! LOL!

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