Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Too Sweet for School

I have embraced the school uniform. I even have a pinterest board devoted to making them in a pretty fashion.

My children attend a very good area school which recommended uniforms are pale blue tops, navy or grey bottoms, a school tunic in micro houndstooth and a winter skirt in a grey/blue plaid.

As it is not a private school the uniform cannot actually be enforced so denim shorts and skinny jeans often are seen in the playground.

Therefore, I have no guilt in making my children slightly more stylish versions.

Liddy has been wearing the Jumprope dress as a school tunic for several years.
No one has commented in the negative.
The Twins have often lamented their tunics (the school issue pattern), but as I had made five, they had to wear them.
They have finally grown out of them.......
And Zara spotted this pattern.
I didn't take much convincing.
Isn't it sweet?
I snuck some precious City Weekend in for the facings.
The collar stand is slightly over sized and sits beautifully away from the neck.
The sleeves have just the right amount of puff to be pretty but not twee.
Did I mention the beautiful back?
Look at that bow!
I considered leaving it off but Jed said not to. 
Its the only thing I am nervous about.
The only hiccup was the waist was a bit firm.
However, with some tricky buttonhole placement, it is wearable-just!
I have another, partially made, and by adding a cm to the waist seams it fits nicely with just enough ease.
So, what do you think?
Isn't it divine?
Its the first time Elsa has ever been in a hurry to get back to school.
Sigh, I used to have a waist.....
xx N
Next up.


32 comments:

  1. Oh my! It is absolutely gorgeous. It's so flattering on her too.

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    1. Thank you Britters, I hope they are okay for school, I am so nervous about the bow!
      xx N

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  2. Heavens! Does it come with the hourglass waist? Got to get me one of those! Seriously beautiful and I can see you getting a few requests from their friends.

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    1. Katy, I would be happy to sew these! The pattern is so much nicer to sew then the standard 'uniform' pattern which is all facings and darts.

      I am itching to sew one in 'pretty' fabric but then again, after I have made another 4, I may not feel the same way.
      xx N

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  3. That. Is. Awesome! If only my school uniform had been as stylish as this! And I went to a public school and am pretty sure a standard uniform was compulsory. What a lucky girl!

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    1. Thank you Jillian.
      I am pretty sure our uniform was compulsory too! Anyway, my mum made me wear it and she was scarier then any Head!

      I hope they get away with it as it is just so lovely!

      xx N

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  4. *sigh* this is simply gorgeous on her! She be the pretties girl at school in this!

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    1. Thank you Sharon. I really hope so. That is the idea, to make her feel a bit more special.
      School days can be very hard.
      xx N

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  5. Very,very pretty girl and dress:)))) your sewing skills are amazing..love seeing your projects:)))))

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  6. Princess seams are always so flattering. So glad you didn't leave off the bow!

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    1. I adore the bow Rachel but I am nervous that may be pushing things at bit far....
      I hope they don't get in trouble. The girls are very unfussed, I wish I had their confidence.
      xx N

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  7. I was looking at these gorgeous photos and thinking "ah to be young again". Gorgeous girl, gorgeous dress!

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    1. Having daughters is the next best thing to being young again. i am so happy my girls will still wear my sewing.
      Thank you Sarah.
      xx N

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  8. Your outdoors shots should be used to market this pattern! Fantastic. It could look a bit too "Little House on the Prairie" on a grownup but it's very sweet on your teenager.

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  9. Thank you Shelley, I couldn't make this one up for me even if I wanted to, my waist is too 'generous'.
    There are some gorgeous versions in the pool on some 'mature' ladies, I think if you had the figure you could carry it off.
    xx N

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  10. I love this dress - most lovely school uniform ever. Really, think that schools should make uniforms just a bit prettier!

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    1. Thank you, I wish they would. I understand they need to be easy care but don't we all feel better if we are dressed nicely?
      xx N

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  11. I think the bow will be fine -- it's not a huge floppy in-yer-face thing, just a subtle nod to innocence -- and that dress is gorgeous, even if it is a 'uniform'!

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    1. Thank you, its back to school tomorrow so we will find out if it is okay.
      I have two more tunics laid out but not cut....
      xx N

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  12. Oh, Nicole, you could be asking for trouble. The good type of trouble, when her colleagues start asking for similar versions :)
    She looks amazing in this dress!
    This is just the most beautiful dress (uniform) I've seen in my life (mine were mandatory brown, mainly poly-something, skirts and cream shirts. Boring and ugly. It took me years before I could wear anything brown again)!

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    1. Thank you Ana Sofia, as school uniforms go, ours has quite a nice colour scheme but most of the children wear unisex baggy knit shorts and hugely oversized polo tops-so ugly.

      I hope there will be a return to the tunics, they look nice and are much cooler.
      xx N

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  13. Look how teeny her waist is! *sigh* The shape of the dress is gorgeous and oh so flattering.)

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    1. Zara worries over her bottom so its lovely she feels so pretty in this, thank you!
      xx N

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  14. So lovely! And much nicer to wear for school than a standard issue dress. I am still scarred by having to wear really hideous yellow and green checked acrylic A-line tunics that stuck out like a traffic cone with beige blouses underneath - hideous. It's so nice your girls can feel good about their school uniforms.

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  15. Thank you Suzy, fingers crossed they go un-protested.
    I do agree with school uniforms in principle but they are just so dull to sew!
    xx N

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  16. Wow! My school uniform was a light blue shirt waist with short sleeves and a darker blue belt. I never hated it but never, ever wore a shirt waist dress again. (I also had to wear a beanie style hat, too, which I DID hate! I kept conveniently losing it!) I love this style with its princess seams and that subtle bow in the back. It looks amazing on your daughter. Bravo!

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    1. Thank you Karen.
      Elsa ended up deciding it was a bit firm for school so I made up another two dresses with a little more ease at the waist. Just right!
      I have 3 more cut to sew.
      xx N

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  17. Such a pretty dress! I love the photo of Elsa in the field - so romantic!

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  18. I wish my school uniforms had been as nice!

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  19. Thank you Karyn, so far-so good!
    xx N

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