I received Amy Butler’s Little Stitches for Little Ones this past Christmas from my sister-in-law, and have since looked through it nearly every night, planning projects for our little one. One of the first pattern’s I tabbed was this Easy Empire Waist top. I love that the top is obviously a girl’s top, without being too frilly. When I stumbled on some Anna Maria Horner Little Folks fabric at my local fabric shop, I knew it was time to start working on this. I bought the contrasting blue fabric at JoAnn’s a while back. It matches the blue in the Little folks fabric perfectly, and I love the contrast between the geometric and floral patterns.
I would not exactly call this pattern “easy”. The directions were a bit confusing to me at times, though I suppose I am used to seeing patterns in more of a “tutorial” layout with pictures as well as descriptions. I had to rip out a few seams, but all in all, I am very happy with the way this little project turned out. Also, I’m not sure I would call this a top…it seems more like a dress to me…
The original pattern has long sleeves, which I decided to leave off. Instead I chose to make some binding from the contrasting fabric to make the dress more summer friendly. Now that I got the hang of it, I may just have to make a second!
A little bit more about the book…Many of the projects are really darling, and I would make nearly every one of them. However, there are not as many clothing projects as I would have liked. Many of the projects are for room decor and toys. Also while there are a few clothing projects, many of them can pretty much only be used for girls. There are two dresses and one hat for a girl, as well as another hat, some pj’s, and booties that could be used for either a boy or a girl. Also, as I said earlier, the instructions can be a bit confusing at times because there are not many pictures of the process, but if you are really experienced in pattern reading this might not bother you at all.
Very cute!!!!:)
That is too cute.
I too have a hard time with Amy Butler’s patterns. I made the Everything Bag out of the same book…..I took it apart a few times.
Amy Butler patterns are challenging. No other way to describe it. I have made several items and had trouble with each one! Eventually, our sewing experience, patience and persistance helps us through though. Yours came out beautiful! Love the fabric! Also the little dress in the previous post. It brings back great memories for me, seeing you sew for your baby. I took up sewing again when expecting my first baby as I could not find (or afford those I could find) maternity clothing. After he was born I continued to sew clothing for myself and I remember even making a shirt for my husband! I also made darling little babygrows and rompers for my son. Can’t wait to see what else you will make for the baby. What about some clothes for yourself?
Thanks for the book info. I’d been eyeing it, but sounds like it’s not for me. Have you seen the Lotta Jansdotter baby sewing book? It seems good, but it’s so hard to tell from online browsing (which is what I’m pretty much confined to)!
So cute! Can’t wait to see the Little One in it!