Ladybug Dress
Fabric
Opal and Agathe admired some ladybug fabric I found in a relative’s stash…naturally I could not resist their hinting.
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Pleats
To make a fancy bodice, I made a small box pleat and two side pleats, and pressed them into the fabric, for about 3 inches from the cut edge of the fabric…
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Pattern
…then placing the pattern on top of the fabric, I traced round the edge, tucking the back of the bodice under the pleats.
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Stitch
The cut out bodice is laid upon the lining and stitched round the centre back opening/neck edge, making sure the pleats are stitched into place. Then I cut that edge free of the lining.
To encourage the seam to stay flat, I cut notches out of the pleats and slits in the curved parts of the seam allowance before turning the bodice inside out and pressing. A hint while pressing – use steam, use lots of pressure, and put a weight on the pressed seam until it cools. Then pick up the bodice and move to the next step, which in this case is…
… cut the rest of the lining away.
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Fitting
Agathe tried the bodice on after the sleeves were attached… the pleats are basted at the waist edge, to keep them from opening up during the rest of the sewing.
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waist seam
I’ve overcast the bodice to the skirt first, so I can stabilise the gathers (which also prevents the seam from fraying), then I sewed the waist seam with a backstitch.
glee
Agathe likes the new dress – cool summery and covered in ladybugs…
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Me next
…and Opal knows she is next on the list!
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Quimper Hittys 
A nice way to do a bodice. Your dolls are always dressed so well.
I like a little bit of variety in a Hitty dress! I think I will try a fan pleat on Opal’s dress, just to see what it look like.
I always admire your work, especially those neat little hand stitches….that is a pretty, cool, summery, springy dress for your dolls.
Thanks very much! I am happy to report that Agathe finds the dress very acceptable!
Oh! Must be something in the air! I am soaking some ladybug fabric this morning, found in a departing needle-workers scrap bag. You’ve created a lovely, summery dress…those Block Twins will no doubt get up to something in the garden!
Yes, they intend to be fully and elegantly dressed in any gardening adventures! Of course the best laid plans involving the twins usually go sidewise!
Thank you for sharing your process on the box pleats, I just love that look! Adorable print for her new dress too. 😊
It is not too hard to do it this way. Fiddling with tiny bits of fabric and trying to pleat them already cut is a nuisance, I much prefer to do the pleats when I can actually get a grip on the fabric, and cut later!
the pleated bodice is so clever! And something I can do..thank you! Love the photo of Opal eagerly awaiting her ow new dress!!!
Opal is a darling, and can be quite patient…of course she does know where the scissors are kept, so I better not keep her waiting long!
Thank You…Julie and I are going to try this.
That fabric is just perfect for Agatha and Opal. It looks so pretty next to their wood tone. Love It.
Thank You for your generosity in sharing this wonderful pattern. We an hardly wait to try it.
Good luck with it! I have had fun making variations on the basic Hitty bodice, I like this one a lot!