Oliver+S Tea Party Sundress

I took a break from bag making recently to sew an Oliver +S Tea Party Sundress pattern that I bought quite some time ago. I fell in love with Oliver +S patterns the first time I saw them. The style is so classic and timeless and just plain adorable. Even though I've had the pattern sitting on my sewing table for months, I intended to finish it in time for little alligator's first birthday party, and I still have 3 weeks to spare. Yeay me!

The pattern was extremely clear and easy to follow. I made the 12-18 month size for alligator and it seams to fit perfectly (she's 22 lbs and 29 inches). I learned a few new skills, like how to apply flat piping and how to hem using a strip of fabric cut on the bias. I'll estimate that it took me a grand total of about 5 hours to sew, but I did it over several weeks in the evenings after work and on weekends during nap time. I'm thrilled with how the dress came out. And I think alligator looks awfully cute in the dress, but I might be a bit biased.

Here are some pictures of the finished product.