Knit Dress Baby Gift

So what have I been doing lately?  I have completed a couple of projects, but the cutest one is this one.  A knit dress for the baby of a new mother I know.  She's just under two months old and cute as a button.

I love to make baby clothes.  And collect baby clothes patterns.  And buy baby fabrics.  So it's no surprise that I had everything that I needed on hand and ready to go.

The pattern is McCall's 8574 and includes an entire layette for babies preemie to 21 pounds.  It includes a t-shirt, onesie, sleeper, gown, dress and diaper cover patterns as well as the ever present hat and booties, which if they fit, never stay on a baby anyway.

I made the View E dress with the long sleeves.  I thought about making the booties, but measuring the baby's ankle just now is impractical and besides, like I said, they never stay on.

The fabric is a heavy weight interlock from JoAnn's.  The print was so cute that I picked it up last year even though I don't have any babies in the family and didn't even know anyone who was pregnant.  But, hey! I figured an opportunity was sure to come along some time.

The pattern is intended to either be hemmed at the neckline or use decorative elastic.  I did neither.  Instead, I trimmed 5/8 inch from the front and back necklines and added self binding.  I cut binding strips from the interlock 1 1/2 inches wide and, uh, long enough that I wouldn't have to worry about running out.  Then I folded it in half lengthwise and serged it to the right side of the front and back necklines.  Finger pressed flat and used a 7mm coverstich to finish.  Voila! Nice neckline edge.

I also stitched in a size tag and a 100% cotton tag so that mama could tell which was front and back.  It's not super obvious and new moms don't have time to play guessing games with the baby's wardrobe.

This is my second entry in the Pattern Review Sewing for Children contest.  Though that's just an added bonus.  If I had more time, I'd make more baby clothes.