Hello fellow Sunshiners!
I’m here today to tell you all about this adorable little dress that I can’t stop wearing! One of my favourite vintage styles of dresses is the Babydoll dress, see the pic below for a true vintage example.
So cute right? Anyway, when Harriet sent me the fabric below I knew that the only thing it would be suitable for is a Babydoll style dress. Now before you say it, I know that the dress I made isn’t a true replica of a Babydoll dress but it is definitely inspired.
When I got the fabric it was SO much more stunning in real life, the gold on the fabric actually shimmers and really gives this fabric a touch of luxury that every seamstress wants right? For those who don’t know this fabric is one designed by the famous Rifle Paper Co - or shall I say infamous Rifle Paper Co for stealing all my money…. 
It also comes in this colourway -
Anyway, once I had decided on the pattern that would suit the fabric, I got started! The pattern I used is a super old Marthe Blouse by République Du Chiffon, it’s been hacked so many times that it’s probably evolved into a new pattern in its entirety. 
If you want something similar Harriet stocks this pattern which is very close):
And so, I hit my sewing machine and …. drumroll please…. It’s DONE. It was such a pleasure to sew up, the fabric is gorgeous to handle and irons like a dream. I feel like 6 year old Maddie would be overjoyed to wear this dress, because who doesn’t want to wear a butterfly dress?
Another reason I love this dress is the illustration of the butterflies themselves, they almost look like something you would find in a Victorian book all about insects, which the vintage lover in me adores! During my time of sewing I was contemplating adding a contrasting fabric to the dress to make it a bit more creative, however as soon as I added the fabric I knew it was the wrong decision - this fabric is best left on it’s own.
Since making this dress I have washed it at least 5 times, worn it to a photoshoot, a festival and even to New York, and it’s held its beauty like a trooper, I was a bit worried that the gold of the butterfly might come off in the wash but so far there is no sign of it budging (yay).
I am so enamoured by this dress in fact that I scoured Harriet’s site for more fabric that I can use to make a whole collection of these dresses.
But to be honest, most of Harriet’s fabrics will be gorgeous in this style dress as it’s a style that really lets the fabric sing and all of Harriet’s fabrics, in my opinion, deserve a time in the spotlight.
Anyway… farewell my fellow sewists, hope you enjoyed the read -
Maddie (aka Thimble Bee)
***As a member of the Sew Me Sunshine blogger team, the fabric for this project was sent to me free of charge. I chose which pattern I wanted to make and all opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.***