Downton Abbey Inspired Dress
I am so very excited to be participating in Elisa’s Downton Sewing series today. I’m a huge fan of Downton Abbey and have loved following along with the series so far. Along with the series is a daily giveaway, and today 3 winners will each receive a Baby Doll Basket Pattern from MADE, and our own Ruby Lou Doll Pattern to go along with it! You’ll be able to enter at the end of this post. You can also join with your own Downton inspired projects using the hashtag #downtonsewing on social media!
One of my favorite parts about the show is the fashion. Oh, the fashion! I think the costume designer must have one of the best jobs in the world! If I wasn’t pregnant, I would have loved to sew something for myself, but considering the 1920s maternity fashions, I don’t think I could quite pull off the tent look these days.
Luckily I was just as excited to sew a 1920s inspired dress for dear Lola. I wanted to stay true to 1920s fashion, while making a dress that Lola can wear now, and most importantly, I didn’t want it to look like a costume. Not too much to ask, right? ;)
The dress is self drafted, which is so easy now that I finally made a new bodice sloper to fit Lola. I also used it to make her Christmas dress, and I love that I can avoid making a muslin and know that the finished product will fit her great. It makes designing so much more fun!
I used a pink herringbone fabric that I bought in the clearance section at Jo-Ann a little while ago. It wasn’t great to sew with, but I lined the bodice with 100% cotton which gave it the stability it needed, and I love how it turned out in the end.
In true 1920s style, the dress has a simple silhouette, with a dropped waist and gathered skirt.
Lace was a huge part of fashion in the 20s, which inspired me to add a white lace bow, with the lace sewn to and wrapping around the waistband.
The v-neck also has just a peek of lace showing behind the pointed collar.
For the sleeves I added two little pleats at the top – I love simple details!
The back closure is three small white buttons, and the pointed collar continues around to the back neckline.
As you can see, Lola was full of energy during this photoshoot, hehe. I’ve learned that child-directed photoshoots are the best way to go to keep everyone involved happy (and sane), and I don’t think she stood still for more than half a second the entire time! It kept me running, which made her run even faster, and, well, the photos are proof of that!
Lola is such a light in my life and I just love her so much.
Okay, time for the giveaway! 3 winners will each receive a Baby Doll Basket Pattern from MADE and our own Ruby Lou Doll Pattern! You can enter using the Rafflecopter below.
Oh so cute! love the lace peaking out of the v neck.
Oh my goodness so so cute! Both the dress and the model :)
My favorite doll was Chrissy!
The dress is just too cute and so is the little model! The perfect replica fashion!
Oh yes, my favorite doll accessory was my red-headed Cabbage Patch doll, the white dress with green ivy’s on it. My Mom had bought me a life-size pram so I could push her round in. The pram is still up at Mom and Dad’s house in the attic. I had actually thought about it over the summer when my bff had a baby and we were putting up stuff in her nursery and I have been meaning to get up in my parent’s attic to get my pram down to see what kind of condition it is in(or not in LOL) :P I still have that Cabbage Patch doll though.
I LOVED and antique Shirley Temple doll I had, my grandmother sewed her the most awesome outfits to match all the movies costumes.
I loved my Kirsten American Girl doll… My heritage is very Scandinavian so I loved reading her stories of bring a Swedish immigrant
I love your dress and all the details! Thank you for being part of the series!
So adorable! The dress looks just precious with the pink herringbone and the lace waistband. And that little peak of lace in the vneck is perfect!
I never had any dolls growing up. I had army men and trucks.
So sweet! And the neighborhood you shot in fits the style just perfectly! PS I’m jealous of your girl’s hair. Well, jealous on behalf of my daughter, not myself. hehe.
Haha, thanks Tasha! We were planning to go somewhere else for photos and this cute neighborhood happened to be right down the street from our dentist appts so I totally lucked out!
My cabbage patch doll, MJ! She is still at my parent’s house for my kids to play with when they are there.
Lola is completely adorable! I love the fabric and the peek of lace in the v-neck.
Thank you Charity!
This dress is stunning! And Lola is just too cute for words:)
A favorite doll of mine was a rag doll Mrs. Beasley (from “Family Affair”).
I loved that she had painted glasses on her soft face, and her polka dotted dress.
Thanks Michelle! And yay for no rain lately so we could actually take photos!
Oh I love that dress….the lace is the perfect little something for it. My favorite doll was my Chatty Cathy doll…my momma made her extra clothes that matched mine….such memories!
My favorite doll was probably my troll doll. I dressed “it” in homemade clothes, furnished it’s house and played with it endlessly. Now my sister, mom, Aunt, and girl cousins have all dug up their old trolls and we have little swaps on email about the antics of our troll dolls doing funny things, taking trips with us, and sneaking into unexpected places, even with celebrities :)
That dress- absolutely amazing. I love the herringbone and the small details!
Thanks Randi! I’m a sucker for herringbone :).
is this a pattern I can buy? I really would love to make this for my granddaughter . thanks for your help and the dress and model are gorgeous!!!!!!
Hi Jean! I self drafted the pattern, but it’s just a simple bodice and gathered skirt with the ruffles added, so I bet you could alter a pattern you have to make it similar.
Love the little lace detail peeking out at the neckline!
Thanks Melissa! Hope you have a great time at ALT this week!
Such a beautiful dress on her. And such a willing little model!
Haha, “willing” is definitely a relative term, but she was definitely in a good mood!
Somehow I lost your feeds. I didn’t realize it until I saw your work on another blog. Can’t even remember which blog now. I’m glad I’ve found you again! It’s been a while because your baby is now a toddler! Wow.
Aw, I’m glad you found me again!