"Official" Kinsey Pics

Here are the photos of the Princess wearing Kinsey by Children's Corner.

This cute little dress looked like an easy weekend project. Yes, I did get it done in one weekend, but it gave me fits! It wasn't all the fault of the pattern, however, there was plenty of user error involved. I wanted to make something that would qualify for both the kids/babies contest and the pattern from stash contest on Pattern Review. Kinsey fit the bill. I've had it for over a year and never got around to making it up until now, and not a moment too soon. The size 6 just fits the Princess.

I decided to make view A with the sleeves from view B. I wanted the white cuffs to play off of the white collar. Turns out the sleeves aren't really "cuffed" at all. The lining is longer than the outer sleeve piece and it forms the "cuff" on the outside when you fold it to the inside and match up the sleeve caps. A word of warning- the markings on the sleeve caps (lining and outer sleeve) don't match up. I had to wing it and, as Tim Gunn says, "Make it work!"

My only real complaint about this pattern is the 1/4 inch seam allowance. It doesn't leave much room to fudge, and quite frankly, it's nearly impossible to pipe a 1/4 inch seam with my machine and the attachments that I own. My first collar was a disaster. I promptly tossed it and started a second one with 3/8" seam allowances. It wasn't until I was done attaching the piping that I realised that I had started at the wrong corner and my piping didn't go all the way around. Cutting another one and starting over was easier than picking out all that stitching so I began collar #3- the one you see here.

The 3/8" seam isn't noticable at all. The collar (all three of them) took most of Saturday afternoon. At that point I decided to put the dress down for the evening. I didn't want to make any more mistakes in frustration.

Sunday I was able to come back with a clear head and finish the dress. Overall, I'm pleased, however, I wish it was a little bit bigger. The Princess is just not going to get much wear out of this one. If I were to make it again, I would go up at least one size, maybe two. I'd also adjust the sleeves to make them just a tad wider. Or I might just do the sleeves from view A.

I love the little pockets. They are completely lined and the little ties fasten through two simple buttonholes. The dress fastens with four buttons in the back.

We'll enjoy this dress while it fits the Princess, and then, who knows? We might just make another.