Summer Garden Party Birthday Outfit

So I have been busy, busy lately with custom orders.  And while I love the fact that I have had so much business lately, I needed to take a little break and work on something for one of my own little ladies.

My sweet Matilda Jane’s 1st birthday is in a month – she was born 7/8/09 (cool birthday, right?).  As it goes with the second child, Matilda doesn’t get very many things that are just for her, so I had to make sure I really turned it up a notch for her special birthday outfit.  And I really think this might be one of my most favorite little creations ever!

So here is her little birthday outfit.  It is a cross back dress with bloomers and a little bonnet.  This dress is made from Heather Bailey’s “Nicey Jane”.  Can I just tell you for the 100th time how much I love this fabric line?  I L.O.V.E. it – fits my style to a tee!

I added an inset panel to my original design and added three lined ruffles toward the bottom.  I lined the inset with some light-weight interfacing to give it a little more body.  I trimmed the edge with green rick-rack and finished it with a little bow towards the top in coordinating fabric.

The bloomers have encased elastic in the legs and at the waist.  Both legs are trimmed with blue rick-rack.

The rear has two lined ruffles that run the entire length of her little back-side.  I just love that little tushy!

I made a bonnet to go with the birthday set.  I will be posting a tutorial for making the bonnet later today or tomorrow.  

I’m just so happy with how this little outfit turned out and I think my Matilda Jane likes it too!  I can’t believe my baby girl is turning one next month, where did the time go?

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22 Comments

  1. This is absolutely adorable!

  2. Loveeeeeeee this outfit and your daughter is adorable! Can’t wait to see the tutorial for the hat!!

  3. She is so cute, and her birthday outfit is absolutely perfect!

  4. EEEK!!! so stinking cute! you have truly been an inspiration to me to make my daughter a dress for her bday as well. We are doing a elmo themed party and I can’t wait- my hubby thinks i am going a little nuts but oh well, it is going to be a great party!

  5. I love it! She is so adorable. My daughter will be 1 on June 26 and I’m with you, where did the time go?

  6. Looks like lots of fun. Last year we used all your ideas for my son’s science party. This year, it might be Lego’s. He wants to have it at our new lego store, but I think it would be more fun at home! Thanks for the inspiration!It looks like you had a great party! Hudson looks so happy. I love the theme too!

  7. Seriously, that is to-die-for cute!!! I love it! Love the pick of fabric and the pattern and the BONNET! Lucky Matilda Jane.

  8. I am so rarely at a loss for words, and yet that is where I find myself right now. The colors, the hat….oh my!

    Mostly it’s just that bum ruffles make me giddy. There’s very few things in this world that I like more than bum ruffles.

    Found you on the CSI. And BRAVO!!

  9. O my word! That is adorable!!! You are so talented :]

  10. Gorgeous. Is this your own pattern design? Maybe I missed that part. I love it.

  11. Thanks everyone! Yes, Ranelle, this is my own design. I just love ruffles and all things girly! Thank you all for your lovely comments!!

  12. This is SOOOOOO cute! You did a great job!

  13. Just a darling outfit for a cute little gir. Thanks for sharing.

  14. Love it!! So adorable!

  15. This is just beautiful. Your work is breath-taking….just beautiful! And so is the baby 🙂 Congrats on the Top Ten at CSI!

  16. Is there a pattern for that adorable dress somewhere?

  17. I too would love to make this….do you have a pattern for purchase? Thank you for all of the inspiration from a very happy, busy grandma!

  18. Barbara Calhoun says

    I would love to purchase the pattern for a two year old. Do you think this is too young for a 2 year old?

    I’ve had the pattern for the bonnet for a year now. My neighbor’s daughter is a year old and I thought she would look cute in this outfit for next year. I originally thought about this for a close friend’s daughter expected baby but found out she is expecting boy so I’ve had this project on the back burner for a while. You are so talented–I’m glad you are using your talent.

    Sincerely yours
    Barb Calhoun

  19. I would love to have the pattern for the dress also.

    • Hi Marilyn,

      This pattern can be found in my shop! It’s the Ruby Ruffle Dress pattern and comes in PDF or paper format. Thanks so much!

  20. Do you have the pattern for this dress and bloomers available? Is it in your book?

    • The dress is my Ruby Ruffle Dress pattern. It’s a little different in the back, but this Summer Garden outfit inspired the pattern. Since it’s not open in the back, it doesn’t have the bloomer pattern. The Ruby pattern is available in PDF or paper. Thanks!