Uptown Downtown Maxi Dress {Project Sew It}

If you thought I was late for the last Project Sew It post I did, just wait until you read about today’s project!

There’s something inspirational going on this year.  Celina of Petit a Petit and Family created Project Sew It.  You can read all about it here, but the basic premise is to sew one thing every month.  I’m putting my own twist on it by sewing one thing for each of my nieces and nephews for their birthdays this year.  It won’t end up being once per month, and sometimes it’ll be more than once per month, but it’s my goal!  I sew so much for my kids, that I want to share the sewing love.

This sweet niece of mine had a birthday in June.  Yes, June!  But I finally got around to sewing her project in September.  Since I was so late, I give her quite a bit of freedom in choosing the dress and the fabric!  Last winter I made her an Uptown Downtown maxi dress that she loved but outgrew pretty fast.  So naturally she requested another one.

I sent her a link to all the Art Gallery Fabrics knit fabric on the Hawthorne Threads website and told her to choose.  (Actually, that was pretty mean as I don’t think  I would have been able to narrow it down to just one!)  She chose Pirot Evoked Knit in Silver which makes an absolutely adorable Uptown Downton maxi dress.

Since I was so late in making her gift, and since cooler temperatures have arrived, I made her an Aster Cardigan to go with the dress.  I even used matching fabric from the dress as the neck binding inside the cardigan.  I used sweatshirt fleece for this Aster Cardigan which makes a lovely cropped sweater.  Unfortunately, even though I went up a size from the Uptown Downtown dress, the cardigan was too small for my niece!  I’m pretty sure it’s because the sweatshirt fleece doesn’t have much stretch.

She’s such a sweetie, she sent both the dress I made her last year and this Aster Cardigan back to us so Annie can wear them!  So I owe her a new cardigan, that fits to go with her dress.  I think if I use French Terry, it will work out perfectly.

My sister sent me some modeled shots of my niece wearing her dress.  I love how she styled it with a scarf and vest.  She definitely gets her good taste from her mom.

Now I think I’ve only got a couple more things to sew for Project Sew It.  Hopefully I will be a little more prompt…although I know I’m already late for my newest nieces’s birthday!