Emma’s Other Jumper

Apparently little girls’ clothes are like potato chips or Lifetime movies—you’re never satisfied with just one.
I haven’t gifted this yet, so I am risking spoiling the surprise, but I just had to share this cuteness before I exploded. I mentioned a while ago about the little pink polka dot jumper I made for my cousin’s one year old daughter. Well, I also bought some blue polka dot corduroy at the time with the intention of making a jumper in the style of the Mini Boden one seen here. It turned out great. And adorable. And sweet. And cute. And all those words that describe little girls’ clothes.

Again I used Simplicity 4711 as a guide for the chest sizing and arm holes—just altered to add snaps at the shoulders and one pleat in the front and one in the back and a little pop of pink. I also made it one size bigger so she can grow into it. (They do grow fast, don’t they?)

Polka Dot Top

I was rooting through my closet for something to wear yesterday when I came across this top I made ages ago from this Burda pattern. Honestly I can’t remember when I made it–last winter, maybe? All I know is that, even though I love it, I haven’t worn it until now because it didn’t fit. I must had misread the pattern and cut and sewed it one size too small. Luckily, I’ve lost a little weight since then and the top actually fits now. Well, sort of. As always, I forgot to alter the pattern for my body type. I’m pretty lucky in the fact that I am fairly proportioned around so I don’t have to adjust patterns too much. But I take this for granted and forget about how long I am, especially in the torso. The bust in this top isn’t quite where it should be and it’s a bit short for my taste. But these are just little things I’ll edit next time because there will be a next time. Me thinks red with white dots.

One thing I did alter on this pattern was the bust detail. I did the original rows of ruffles, but with the polka dots, it ended up looking too much like a clown costume somehow. So I streamlined it down to one row of simple pleats. I also opted for pearl snaps because I have an unreasonable fear of button holes.