A Year of Dresses: Belle Dress for Winter

This week I had the pleasure of sewing with some more fabulous Blend Fabrics. It is always a pleasure to work with these fabrics, they are so soft! These fabrics are part of the Equinox collection by Ana Davis for Blend Fabrics.

Blend Fabrics courtesy photo
Equinox is a pretty collection of lattice, paisley, and scallop designs. The fabrics I used featured warm pinks, oranges, gray, and taupe, but the collection includes beautiful teals and greens and well.
What did I make with these lovely fabric? One more dress that will help us get through the cold winter months of course. This time the Belle Peasant Dress with long sleeves.

The Belle Peasant Dress Pattern is available in both baby and girls sizes. Baby Sizes range from 0-24 months. The Belle for Girls pattern includes sizes 2-10. Baby sizes are masterfully drafted so that Baby is not drowned in too much dress, while the twirl factor is maximized for walking toddlers and girls. Belle is a beginner level sewing pattern. The raglan sleeves, elastic casings, and gathered tiers keep it simple! The pattern includes both long and short sleeves. You'll sew this dress all year long! Three options are included for the neck and sleeve gathering including a full shirring tutorial. I chose a folded casing for both my neckline and sleeves.

The tiered style of Belle makes it a great pattern for mixing fabric colors and prints. Fabric placement can completely change the look of the drsss! It is also a great stash buster. Each tier through size 6 can be made from just 1/2 yard of fabric (only 5/8 yard is needed for larger size tiers).

On this Belle I added a simple tie to the back of the dress. Sometimes I add a tie to this dress, sometimes I don't. It just depends on my mood! My Spring Belle did not include a tie (while you're there, make sure to notice how much Sweet Pea's hair has grown!). This dress is a size 2/3. Sweet Pea is well into the top of the 2T size range for height (coming in at 36") but her chest measurement is hovering between 18-24 months and 2T at 20.5". All that to say, I added a tie this time because Sweet Pea is on the skinny side.

Adding a tie is quite simple. If you own Jen's Peasant Blouse pattern, instructions are included there and my inspiration is taken directly from that pattern. But, if you haven't added that pattern to your collection, here's how you can add a tie to your Belle Peasant Dress:

• Cut two tie strips. Mine were 2" x 22". You may need to adjust the length of your strips for smaller sizes.
• Fold each strip, right sides together, to form a narrow tube.
• Sew across one end and up the length of the tube using a 1/4" seam allowance.
• Clip the corners on the end you sewed and turn the tube.
• Iron
• Baste the ties to side of the back bodice piece 5/8" from the bottom edge before sewing the sleeve and side seam.
• Now finish your dress according to the pattern instructions

I think it's safe to say she loves her twirly dress and I do too. It is a perfect dress for every occasion. It's easy to run and play in with ease of movement. It's fun to dance and twirl in. It dresses up easily! Change your fabrics choices and sleeve lengths and this dress transforms from Christmas dress to beach dress to Easter dress to play dress.

Here's your quick pattern details:

• Baby sizes 0-24 months
• Girls sizes 2-10
• Beginner level sewing pattern
• Full shirring tutorial included
• Long and short sleeve options