It’s finished! We have some deliciously autumnal photos to share with you, but first my report on the making.

This was my first experience sewing an Ikatee pattern. I believe the designer’s first language is French and the patterns are translated into English. The translation shows as the English text was often unclear. Since there are several versions of the Elona dress included in the pattern, the illustrations were also complex. If you have sewn a good number of garments before, it will probably be no trouble, but I wouldn’t recommend this pattern for a beginner.

Assembling Elona bodice. Stitched in Color.jpg

I consider myself an intermediate garment sewist. I did have to unpick a few times due to a misunderstanding, but it all came together without too much trouble. Maybe that’s typical when sewing a new pattern anyways?

Additional length. Stitched in Color.jpg

I chose the shorter length dress in size 4 years/104 cm. The size is generous for Elora, with plenty of room for her to grow into the dress all season long. But the length was going to be much too short. Thus, I decided to add extra length and some crochet peach trim at the last minute. Somehow I think the subtle addition of another color makes the blue/rust combination feel even more right.

I was worried that the medium-weight Square Stitch Rust fabric would be too heavy to serve as a ruffle in combination with the lightweight blue voile (an oldie by Anna Maria Horner), but I think it worked well. I’m also happy with the color and size of these buttons, which Maisie at The Confident Stitch picked out for me.

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Purple Stitches

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Elona dress bodice with ruffle. Stitched in Color.jpg

After hand-sewing on all those buttons and the fun little garment tag, the dress was finished! Elora, Aria and I walked over to the next neighborhood where there stands this majestic tree. It’s where we also had our little family Easter egg hunt this spring.

Elora loves the attention of a photo shoot and is also pretty excited about her new dress. Naturally, she had a great time gathering leaves and sticks!