Dress Sneak Peek

Okay, I'll come clean: this is essentially Viola picspam. I can't help it - she's just such a beautiful doll! Even under harsh and dull lighting she's lovely, but in late afternoon sunlight she just shines. 

No filters need apply. 

A little bit about the dress: it's really simple, just one bodice piece and four skirt panels (I didn't line it for lack of fabric), and all straight stitching except for the bodice hem. The pattern calls for eight panels, and then gathers them when sewing them to the bodice, but I wanted a sleeker look so I left them off.

The bodice closes fully in the back, so you can use snaps, velcro, or buttons to do it up. I personally like the laced up look of a corset, so I sewed up the back of the bodice a little smaller and then put in eyelets. It was a bit of extra work (and more than a bit of extra expense - thank goodness for Joann's coupons!), but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Ostensibly a photo of the back closure, but let's be real - I can't get enough of Viola's gorgeous hair.

The best part of the dress for me is the embroidery. This was my first time freehand embroidering, and I had so much fun with it, though I still struggle with French knots. 

I can't wait to share the tutorial with you, and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. While I love making things for all my dolls (paper or otherwise), Viola is my especial muse, and it's such a pleasure to create with her in mind. I hope that, no matter who is the lucky recipient of your dress, you have a similar crafting experience.