What I did instead of doing something nice for my husband's birthday

Typically January is my least favorite month with the cold, dark and gloomy weather. Usually inversions and fog have me feeling blue and dreaming of warmer climates. But with all the blue skies lately I've been cheerier than usual, which has led to some cheerful fabric and pattern choices. Here's Miss A's birthday preparations, a little on the "springy" side for a February birthday, but I like to think of it as winter blahs therapy.


The inspiration for the dress came from here. I'd like to figure out how to do the lacing detail without sewing a million buttonholes on this dress, but I'll just let it go. I have a feeling I could really mess up the dress trying to do it. I'm famous for ruining things by trying to "improve" them.

Fabric: Lecien mini dot from Purl Patchwork.

Pattern: I couldn't find a front wrap dress pattern I liked (I'd still like to find one with sleeves and an A line skirt), but thanks to the idea from this outfit, I used a pattern I already owned. I never would have thought to wear it backwards! I took some of the fullness out of the skirt and added fabric ruffles to the neck and armholes. I added a cardigan to keep arms warm until the snow melts. It's from Target, I replaced the buttons with buttons covered with the dress fabric.