Winter Wear's Bateaux Garden Dress

Sometimes you just see a dress and fall in love... for me it was when I saw the testing call for Winter Wear's new dress. The line drawing just calls your attention even before you see it in fabric.

So I applied and actually got picked! Yay me! But before I delve into my creations, let me give all of that specific information that you really want.

Sizes:1-14
Options: 3 lengths: tunic, vintage and regular.
               2 different bodices: cross back straps and full back
Twirl factor: 10! The circle skirt is beautiful!

So at first, I decided to start with something super quick and make a tunic version.  So I made a muslin (which I don't do half as much as I should.) and decided to forge ahead.  I had been hoarding this pretty pink fairy frost fabric that my daughter was in love with so I decided that this would be the perfect time to use it.  I choose the cross back in hopes of tricking warmer weather to show up.  This came together surprisingly quickly and I even tackled a zipper closure. I am slowly getting better at them... I hope.  The real wow factor came when I put it on my daughter.

Then I knew I had to try the vintage dress length.  And in the interest of being a good tester, I decided to try the other version of the bodice.

And then being the good sewing mommy that I am, I decided to get a jump start on Easter sewing and kill two birds with one stone! The pattern does come with instructions to create your own petticoats but I was super lazy and decided to buy a slew of them for my daughter about a year ago so we used one of those.

Being the adventurous soul that I am, I decided to use an exposed zipper that I got with my Stitch Box Monthly subscription a few months ago.  I love the look of it and I have got to make sure I get some more lace zippers.  The boatneck shape of the bodice is stunning and really makes the simple dress look more elegant.  And instead of hemming the circle skirt, I decided to use a spring green double fold bias tape to add a pop of Easter color.

Head over to Winter Wear on Etsy and grab the Bateaux Garden Dress. Or take a peek in the Winter Wear Designs Fun facebook group for an exclusive sale code first.