Harper's Unicorn for Project Run & Play Sew-Along Season #13

"Always be yourself.

Unless you can be a unicorn.

Then always be a unicorn!"

Sweet Harper is in love with unicorns (until recently pronounced: 'you-me-corns').  A wooden pull-toy unicorn was the only thing she asked Santa Claus for this past Christmas.  Now where to find one?!  It is a good thing that "Santa"  can carve wood and put one together for her.  It travels everywhere with her, dressed in ribbons and sometimes with a sock around its neck. (!?) 

When I saw Sarah Jane's "Magic" collection, I knew that I would have to order the fabric and make Harper a special dress.

My "Signature Style" has evolved over the last several years into two styles with some overlapping elements.  I believe that with both styles I am still being myself.  I am "always being a unicorn"!

1.  Classic Children's Clothing:

Detailed finishing

Hand work:  hand hemming, hand sewn facings

Heirloom patterns and techniques

Vintage buttons

Hand embroidery

Hand Smocking

Lace and lace work

Feminine styling

Bonnets

Ribbons, ruffles, other trims

Applique

Classic style patterns

Dressy looks

Longer hemlines

Style 1:  Classic Children's Clothing

2.  Boutique Children's Clothing

Brighter colors

Detailing finishing

Up-cycled vintage linens

Buttons

Hand embroidery

Hand work:  hems, facings, etc.

Modern patterns

Independent pattern designers

More casual looks

Ribbons, pom-poms, trimmings

Lace and ruffles

Applique

Shorter/asymmetrical hemlines

Style 2:  Boutique Children's Clothing

Harper's Unicorn dress falls into the second style category.

 Pattern:  Violette Fields Threads "Clara"  for the dress, size 3

Australian Smocking & Embroidery #78 for the shorts, size 2

Fabrics:  Michael Miller "Magic" collection by Sarah Jane ("Unicorn Parade",  "Unicorn Forest", "Stars and Stripes", "Lucky Stars") and white embroidered batiste from my stash.

 I love the high low hem and the ruffles over the shoulders and down to the bottom of the bodice in the front and back.  The fit was a little smaller than I expected.  Harper can still easily were a ready-to-wear size 2 and I sewed a size 3.

Pattern adaptations:  I added a full lining with a growth tuck because the pastel sections of the fabric were a bit sheer.  I also added an inch and a half to the hem to extend the life of the garment.  This was hand hemmed because the inside can be seen (high/low hemline).

During the PR&P 'Greenery' contest week my beloved Elna Diva sewing machine sewed it's last seam.  I was devastated!  I had purchased that machine over twenty years ago.  It wasn't new then.  It had been a demonstration/class sewing machine in a quilting fabric store in Tampa for several years.  I can tell you, I was beside myself!  My sweet husband told me to go and find a replacement "And get what you really want!"  I am now the proud owner of a Janome Memory Craft 9400.  Of course, there is a 'learning curve' and 'Change' isn't my first name!

 The lovely tiny rolled hems on the bodice were accomplished after practicing with the special rolled hem foot on the lining hem.  That hem has a couple of little 'hiccups' but those ruffles are perfect!

The headband was made with some trim found at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts and a bit of elastic.

 The little shorts were an afterthought.  I am glad I made them!

Shorts or bloomers are important for under dresses when you aren't quite four!

Shoes were found on-line at Payless.

Harper was so much fun to photograph!  We just did a little photo shoot after school was over right at our school.  Harper kept saying we needed to find more places to take pictures.  She loved the whole process!  She really loved her dress and didn't want to take it off!

 The Many Faces of Harper!

I am linking this post to the Signature Style sew-along contest over at Project Run and Play HERE.  I hope that you will stop by and see all the other beautiful creations.