I’m so excited to be the second stop on the Debbie’s birthday dress blog tour!
Suz from Sewpony has created this pdf dress pattern inspired by one of her favorite children’s books, Debbie’s Birthday Party. The pattern features a classic A-line style dress, with a button and loop closure at the back. You can see the two views above, one with a sweet peter pan collar, center seam, pocket, and buttons. The other with a separate bodice and trim.
Suz asked if I’d test the 18 month size for my little Corinne, and since I’m a good vintage-loving girl, of course I said YES.
Behold, My Little Debbie!
For my dress (View 2), I repurposed a chambray skirt, used a cute apple grid print for the collar, and lined the bodice with red cotton. I decided forgo the pocket and steal the trim idea from View 1, extending it all the way down the length of the dress- I used ivory lace hem tape.
I stitched two white buttons on to the front, but for the back I decided to tie it all together by using this red apple button. Coco’s big sis thought that was pretty cute. Ellery loves to help pick out Corinne’s clothes in the morning, and this dress is often her first choice.
Smart little stylist wouldn’t you say?
I love the length of the dress- it hits Corinne about an inch above the knee, but you could easily add length if you wanted. On a little gal like Coco though, it’s a good excuse to show off some cute bloomers or her chunky thighs (which I’ve been devouring lately).
I envision her wearing this in the Fall wrapped up with a cozy little cardigan… and of course knee socks and mary janes, like Suz did here– so adorable!
I’d highly recommend this pattern to a beginner sewer who is dabbling into making garments. The pattern is loaded with clear pictures for each step, and a very handy pattern map which really helps the cutting out and taping process. I sewed my Debbie up one rare afternoon while my entire crew was napping, and it was blissful.
I’d say the only thing that took some time for me was the peter pan collar. It was the second one I’d ever done, and I forgot to mark front and back (as suggested!) so when it was time to sew the pieces together I was stumped…but well worth it- I love those apples.
And that face.
I like that you can stay in the vintage realm here but you could totally go another direction with this pattern (like this rainbow one Sanae did here for KCW– gorgeous!)- it’s a simple design that is a great starting point for your own creative interpretation.
Suz is offering a 20% discount on this pattern for the duration of the blog tour. Just visit her etsy shop, Sewpony Vintage to purchase and don’t forget to use the code BLOGTOUR1. And keep your eye out for more vintage-inspired patterns from Suz in the future!
So long,
Erin
(p.s. check out the Sewpony flickr group for some more Debbie dress eye candy!)
HUNGIE GUNGIE 
So cute Erin!! Thank you for doing such a great job with my pattern. Coco is irresistible, but then she does remind me a lot of my little Emily! I love how you used a print collar with plain fabric dress. Super sweet. I hope Coco gets lots of wear out of her little Debbie!!
Suz, Coco has gotten LOTS of wear out of this one. I really look forward to making another one- maybe for my big girl. p.s. I need to send you some iphone photos of when Coco was playing in a rain puddle (in her brand new Debbie) and totally fell in face first! Surprisingly she stood up smiling. 🙂 -E
Erin!!!! This is so adorable, I LOVE that you did full length trim on the front, what a great idea!! That collar i the. best, and will look great with a cardigan, too. Love your style choices, the red and chambray together, and even her sweet little sandals. Please leave those yummy chunky thighs bare as long as possible, they are the best (!).
Can’t wait to see yours on Thursday Monica!
Oh what an adorable dress 🙂 Love the lace, love the collar 🙂 Super 🙂
Funny- in the first picture of Coco I thought to myself: What yummy little legs she’s got!
I don’t blame you one bit for showing them off!
Oh, Erin! LOVE this version! Extending the lace trim is brilliant and the apples are so so awesome. And really, CoCo steps everything up a notch, and I can’t get over how adorable it all is! And thank you for the shout out!
of course- the rainbow dress is a fave!
Adorable! And those legs!
she gets them from me. which means she gets them from you! xo Momma! -E
Totally adorable, and I had the same thought about Coco’s thighs! I want to eat them as a snack! NOM.
there is enough to go around!
your version is so cute! vintage sweetness. My daughter’s nickname is Coco too. hehe.
oh, sweet! when she’s angry we call her Hot Coco. 😉
This dress is adorable Erin!! Love the apples and the extended trim. But I must say your little girl and those thighs are the show stopper! Love chunky little toddler legs!
thanks Meghan! she’s been blessed with the chunk I guess.
oh that smile in the last photo is just too much! the cuteness!!! i made a similar dress to this for iris. the pattern was free, but in dutch (i believe). even with google translate, if i had been new to sewing, i wouldn’t have been able to make it work. so i am glad to see this is available in a picture laden, english pattern. 🙂 that big collar is just the best!
thanks! this pattern is really great for a beginner- I love that there’s no gathering- which I’ve kind of gotten sick of 😉
This is gorgeous! Just got the pattern – all of these versions are irresistible!
So beautiful! I have a similar pattern, so I’m definitely going to have to go make a little dress no! So cute!
You’re a girl after my own heart! Keep the cute clothes coming!
I so need to learn to make a peter pan collar! My girls’ school dress code requires a “collared shirt.” Do you know how hard it is to find cute collared anything? If you promise it to be easy, maybe I could modify pattern to a sleeveless tunic top style for my 6 year old?? over leggings?
you could totally do that, Gray! I may try that for Ell too… p.s. fun seeing you today!!! -E
Hi Grayson… I am about to post tunic length adjustment chart on my blog!!
This is adorable and I just love the color and button detail. As always, Amazing!
This is amazing!! You have such a great eye for fabric combos, this is incredible!!! Visited with KCW, so glad to be back! Popping over from the blog tour. SUCH a great job! 🙂
so nice, Erin. Thank you! -E
Really gorgeous – the fabric combo works perfectly!
Just cleaning out my in-box…and finding all my hungie-gungie-love….makes me want to sew…not logical at 10pm 2 days before leaving town for a week…but all the avery/coco/ellery cuteness is causing so much temptation….I simply must! ARGH…I should be packing!!..darn you ladies!