Shabby Chic For Chloe

I have a love affair with vintage linens.  I love all the hand work that went into making them and I know the time and love that the long ago needle artists put into their work.  When I see such work in yard sales, estate sales, resale and antiques shops, I can't help myself.  I have to rescue them and look after them!  I wash them and see if they are still usable in their current condition and then they go in either my linen closet or my sewing stash.  The little pink blouse in this set is from a pair of vintage pima cotton gingham pillowcases that were hemmed with 'chicken scratch' cross stitch embroidery.  They were rescued from the Hospice Resale Shop near me.  If my sweet daughter was not an adult and her room was still aqua and pink, these would have gone on her bed.  Alas, her room is a golden color for a feminine grown-up now and she only occasionally stays overnight. 

See the embroidery work on the hem?  I added two tucks above the hem on the tunic to add more texture to the blouse.

I used both pillow slips for a size 5 Oliver + S Class Picnic Blouse for Chloe over a year ago, when she was five.  It was a bit big on her then but she liked the ensemble and wore it often.  It is perfect on her now!  It was my first time using this pattern and I thought the sweet simplicity of the lines went well with the pillowcases 'character'.

I used one pillowcase for the body of the blouse and one for the sleeves.

Check out my pattern matching at the seams!  I was pleased with them!
 I added the little blue flower button and the simple embroidered leaves to tie the design to the skirt.

The skirt was made using the Vintage Rose Skirt by Ruby Jean's Closet.  I like the pattern but PDF patterns aren't my favorite thing to put together.  That said, I really like this designer's patterns and purchased several of them!  (See the mitten cape I made using one of her patterns HERE.) It was made using a blue chambray and white pima cotton sateen for the lining.  The skirt pattern doesn't call for lining but I felt the chambray needed the extra support as it was so light.

Cutting the lining for the front and back pieces of the pattern.

Nice flat front and the adorable shabby chic fabric rose applique.
 Large pink mother of pearl buttons.

Gathered back for comfort and fit.

Little Chloe last year as just after she turned 5!  

The outfit was a little big:   it is falling off her shoulder but she loved it.
She chose her shoes and socks to match!!!

Enjoy your day!  May it be filled with pleasure and blessings!

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by.  Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery.
  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes