Presents for Peanut!

My sister and I are both 9 months pregnant. I am due today and Hannah is due in a few weeks. We call her little girl "Peanut" until we know her name after she is born. Her mother, Hannah, is a hugely talented person, who is capable of creating anything she can imagine. She can imagine anything.

Hannah made Soren an exquisite quilt, a color block ring of fabric making a comprehensive rainbow. I adore it, and can't wait for my son to learn his colors planted in the middle of it with a small container of Cheerios.

Needless to say, after receiving such an exquisite gift from my sister, I have genuinely struggled with making a gift for her little girl that can possibly compare. Well, I have come to the conclusion that I can't possibly compare. So, comfortably resigned to that fact, I decided to try to make Peanut something - anything, that just shows her my love.

I looked for weeks and weeks for a pattern or idea or SOMETHING that would reasonably satisfy my creative compulsions. And this is what I found!
I ADORE this little dress, and began looking everywhere for a pattern that would somewhat resemble it. Not surprisingly, JoAnn Fabrics failed me miserably, and I found myself stabbing at creating my own pattern, which worked out surprisingly well for me. I modified a pattern for 6-9 month infant, adding straps, modifying the yoke, and ultimately, came up with what you see below.







I'm definitely planning on making another (and maybe another). It took about two hours to make, and was delightfully easy and satisfying. I plan to make the next out of some bolder fabrics to better suit my sister's tastes.

I'll scan my "pattern pieces" and upload them, or you can message me and request them. I'd be glad to share.