She admired this panel. She drew a picture of this panel. She begged for a dress from this panel. Sadly, the panel that she chose was a Grinch panel, and the day was December 28th.
But the little girl's mother never forgot that panel. Always in the back of her mind was the way that little girl loved that panel, and how happy she looked when she held it up to her small frame.
And in May of that year, right after finishing some fun Animaniacs dresses for a friend, the little girl's mom received some inspiration: wouldn't this panel make a cute Bubblegum dress? The mother posted an ISO to Custom Knit Destash to see if she could get some coordinating fabric for the bodice.
Sadly, no-one was able to produce the coordinating fabric. BUT...
A very kind soul saw the mother's ISO, and realized she had a top made out of the same fabric in a different colorway, sitting in a pile of clothes her son had outgrown. That top was the perfect size for the little girl's brother.
That sealed it. Even though the mother did not have the coordinating fabric, she pressed ahead with the panel little girl loved.
So she took the little girl shopping, and at their local quilt shop, they picked out the perfect fabric for bias tape. The little girl had TONS of fun admiring all the fabric, and was quite excited to acquire a Me and My Sister Designs Hi De Ho Horizontal stripe that, when cut at a 45 degree angle, would "look like a candy cane!"
Other things were also acquired that day, but that's for a different post. When they got home, the mother went to work. She made the bias tape
Cut out the parts
And assembled a great, Grinchy dress.
And that's where this story takes its Suessian twist:
The girl loved the dress that her mother had sewed. And little bro matching? That never got old. They wore their Grinch outfits when trimming the tree, and also to see the new Grinch movie.
Mom remembers that day long ago, when a girl with a panel began this whole show. 11 months later the girl is a much-bigger kid. But mom still delivered, and is happy she did.
The smiles are genuine, the kids coordinate, and "passing it forward" makes everyone feel great.
So if a little girl gives you a reason to sew - and the hinting starts in low, and then starts to grow. Go ahead and go for it, you'll be glad you did. Because this Grinch-y love story ends with one happy kid!
I absolutely, positively ADORE this post... and the dress... and the kids. The turquoise color coordinates so well with the panel and is great with blonde hair and complexion of"the little girl". How thoughtful of that other mom to send you the shirt. I sure hope she get to see this post. The candy cane binding is spot on and it warmed my heart to hear about the shopping expedition and her hunting through your stash. If this comment seems too gushing it probably is but that does not mean that it is not all true – even if I am the mother/grandmother. I hope that little girl and little boy stay little enough to wear the matching outfits next year. That I am sure is wishful thinking but at least try to get professional photos in them before they outgrow them. Great job. Great outfits. Great kids.
ReplyDeleteWhen these two do finally outgrown these Grinchy outfits (hopefully not too soon!), I know of some SoCal kids who would love to keep them in a Christmas clothes rotation:-)
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