Aside from resting my iron on my designers curve ruler when I thought it was on the cradle and thinking as my sewing room smelled funny “that old iron of mine has finally bit the dust” (hint: it had, because I was, at that moment, melting a ruler with it) my daughter’s dress was a lot of fun to make.
I was given a Franklin Dress pattern by Brooklyn Pattern Company and asked to use the theme TOYS. That pattern is a sweet dress with lots of beautiful details. The dress isn’t typical but still has a familiar, cozy and roomy feel.
I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that my daughter loves zip lines and makes them for her toys. For this project I made a denim dress that has subtle polka dots, a colorful bias tape neckline, and a tiny stuffed animal zip line. I chose a simple comfy fabric, and a sleeve change to suit this daughter (though I have a fancier Franklin cut out for next week with the original adorable puff sleeve and pleated bodice to suit her sister). We have had these little stuffed animals for a while now. Using a silk cording and hook and eyes I created an interactive dress that allows her favorite tiny animals to zip line across the dress.
And now my sewing secret… The buttons are sewed on and nonfuctional at the moment, with snaps underneath. As my sewing machine instructor taught me when I got my new machine, I made practice buttonholes. I practiced on scraps and interfacing (thank goodness) but it chewed the fabric and almost wouldn’t spit it back out. That function on my machine hasn’t been quite right since I broke a needle a couple of weeks ago.
The pattern is a PDF and the pieces went together smoothly. The notches allow for accurate assembly. The instructions with the pattern are simple and clear, but if you are a beginner make sure to use Erin’s sew along! For more Franklin dress inspiration, here is a link to every post about the Franklin dress on Brooklyn Pattern’s blog. If I find a pattern I like I will make it more than once and in several ways. I am dreaming up new ways to make this pattern and love Erin’s flutter sleeve I spied on her Instagram. I am eager to sew more her other patterns too!
After emailing with Erin I asked if she could share a bit about her self.
SC: Why do you sew?
EKP: I sew for a lot of reasons. For a career. For a hobby. For relaxation. I really love the feeling of a finished product in my hand. It’s a fantastic feeling to see a dress you made on stage or your daughter running wild in one of your creations. That feeling extends to all crafts so I find myself constantly trying new things to satisfy that love. I’m knitting more, taking pottery classes and delving into screen printing.
SC: What was the inspiration for the Franklin dress?
EKP: The Franklin dress is inspired by the streets of Brooklyn. The vibe in BK right now is really relaxed and anything goes. Simple, fun, classic. I wanted to design a dress that could move with kids and either dress up or dress down depending on the fabric. The Franklin should be able to grow with the child as her tastes and height changes.
SC: What is next for Brooklyn Pattern?
EKP: I’ve got my hands in a lot of things right now including freelancing in theatre again. I’m working on a women’s version of the Henry dress and a few children’s patterns for the summer and fall.
A woman’s version of Henry?! Yes please!
Comment on this post to win a pattern & fabric combo made in heaven: the Franklin dress by Brooklyn Patterns and one yard of fabric from Miss Matatabi. A Nani Iro Franklin dress would be drop dead gorgeous, but what about using Cotton & Steel? Or Kokka? That polka dot rabbit print would be pretty perfect for a spring dress….
1. cotton & steel zephr 2. nani iro fukkra 3. window pane check 4. kokka ranrara rabbit
Enter by Wednesday Feb 24. This giveaway is open to international entries, void where prohibited by law. Winner will receive 1 digital patterns from Brooklyn Patterns and 1 yard of fabric from Miss Matatabi. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!
138 Comments
That is hilarious that your daughter makes her toys zip line! She must be very creative!
What a fun dress!
Super love this! I have been eyeing brooklyn pattern for a long time! I hope I can win this pattern and sew this with Nani Iro fabric!
cool dress!
Love it! Very fun dress and Nani Iro …. I’d love to work with one of those fabrics
this reminds me so much of my brothers spiderwebs that were made up of my mum’s latest knitting project and tied up around the room. great dress.
I love the ziplining animals! Cute dress!
Cute dress for sure! Love it!
I love that you made the buttons snaps. Bummer about your ruler and iron. I hate those sewing room mishaps! Awesome dress though, she looks very happy with it!
Love the dress and the fabric! And the smile on the model is priceless!
Love both the Franklin and Henry patterns, and an adult Henry is great news! Love the zip wire add on 🙂
I already have the pattern (never made it though) but would love the fabric. There are several prints from her shop in my Etsy cart already 😉
Such a cute dress and such a happy girl!
What a cutie!
Love this dress- it’s the perfect blend of style and simplicity! Would love to make my girl one in some Nani Iro (would love to make MYSELF one in Nani Iro 🙂 )
Crazy! Super creative!
Awesome dress and fabrics!
I love this dress!
Miss Matatabi’s shop always has such beautiful selections. Thanks for this giveaway!
very cute!
Love this- so fun! Thanks for the fab giveaway. X
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com
Wow, what a creative dress. Very nice! I would love to take my chance for the beautiful fabric!
What a fun dress. So clever to zip line her toys like that 🙂
What a cute and fun dress !
I have been resisting the Franklin Dress last summer, but I certainly would love to try it should I be lucky with this giveaway…
And who can resist Miss Matatabi fabric 🙂
Such a cute dress, very creative.
My sisters and I went fishing for stuffed animals over the banister growing up, but we never thought of a zipline! What a great way to incorporate her creative ideas into her clothes.
What a fun dress!
I hope I win!
Love the zip line, so creative!
I love, love, love your zip line idea – what an awesome dress. She looks very pleased with it, as well she might!
What a terrific idea!
Looking forward to sewing next week! My clothes won’t be nearly so creative though.
Count me in! This would be a heavenly win ❤️
My daughter would love that dress!!
Adorable!
Fabric! Oh the wonderful things I could make with a yard 🙂
What a clever idea! I’m sure she loves it. Thanks for the giveaway!
You’re an awesome mom for making this dress happen!
Ooh it would be amazing to get my hands on some Nani Iro!
So fun! Thanks for the chance to win this great pattern/fabric combination!
Yes please!!
What a darling dress!
What a cute outfit. My kids would never be able to focus with toys on their dresses, but they would love them!
The dress looks great. Thanks!
Very creative.
How fun!
My daughters would love to have a dress like that! Super cute!
such a fun dress!
What an adorable dress! Beautiful fabric options!!
This is a fabulous dress!
Such a fun dress and I’ve always wanted to give Nani Iro a try!
fun dress!
Your daughter looks very happy with her new dress. Isn’t it great to be able to make custom items that suit each child? Two of my daughters won’t wear anything with buttons!
What a cool dress!
Mmmmm! Cotton and Steel and Kokka! Can’t wait to sew!
So creative! I bet your girl loves getting to wear this. I’m impressed!
Lovely dress!!! Very disaponted I can’t join you next week….. the good news is I will be fabric shopping in Amsterdam! Enjoy your KCW!!
What a cute idea!
I sew for 7 grandgirls, would love a new pattern and fabric to go with. thank you
So adorable! Making outfits that fit our kids’ personalities is so rewarding for us and them!
That’s adorable!! Love getting to know new faces here:)
Cute! The snaps under buttons is a great little secret!!
So cute! I own this pattern but have yet to make it! Maybe for Easter?
Love it! And love that shop!
I saw puffed sleeves all the way!
I meant “I say”. LOL
Such a cute dress!
And, oh my, longing for that superduper giveaway!
Such a cute idea!
Fun dress idea! My house always has string and tape everywhere from my daughter’s construction projects – swings and ziplines for stuffed animals are popular here too:)
Love the comfy feel to this dress! That window pane check fabric is lovely.
How incredibly fun this dress is!
Just adorable. My daughter would play with it non stop.
So creative!! My boys love making zip lines for their action figures to ride!!
that polka dot rabbit fabric would be PERFECT for that dress!! so sweet
I’ve never thought of sending those ‘gripping’ toys down a zipline, but my daughter would absolutely LOVE that idea! Such a fun dress, and a fantastic giveaway.
What a great idea- such fun, and a gorgeous dress, too.
As for Miss Matatabi- how does one ever choose a fabric- they are all amazing!!!
that dress is so fun and what a way to incorporate her games in the dress!! love that pattern, and some nani iro, wow, yum!
I have been wanting to try a Brooklyn pattern company pattern! Pick me!!
Such an adorable dress and model! And Nani Iro anything is amazing. 🙂
Love the fabric and the pattern! Thanks for the opportunity!
That’s a bummer you melted your ruler! But the dress turned out adorable!
Your daughter must be loving that dress! And Miss Matatabi has some of the best fabric choices!
🙂 funny dress!!! Every kid would love to play ! So creative!
So so good!! Great dress!
Such a precious dress!
Such darling dresses!
The dress is very cool!
Cute dress!
Commenting? No doubt at all 😉
Love the ziplining animals!
That’s one fun dress! Curious to see were this theme of KCW wild lead everyone…
I love these super fun prints!
I would love this bundle!!
I love Japanese fabric!
Such a fun dress!
What a fun giveaway … Thank you for the chance …
Wow this is great inspiration for the theme, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to bring the toy theme into clothes sewing but now can’t stop thinking about toys in pockets!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Fingers crossed on the competition front I love Kokka fabric.
Oh, that incident with the iron and the ruler could so have been me! I’m very careful and pay attention to the tiniest details – about 95% of the time. During the other 5% I make up for being so perfectionist (some say pedantic) by really messing up things lol
I don’t take my eyes off the sewing machine while I’m sewing – except for that one time I looked up … and sewed right through my finger. Ouch.
I double check – or triple check – the layout of pattern pieces before cutting into fabric. Unless I’ve placed one pattern piece in the wrong direction, then I’m pretty sure to be happily cutting into the expensive stuff right away…
My kids are constantly setting up zip lines too! This is great!
thanks for inspiration! cool idea, though might be not very practical for active kids…
Love both the patterns and fabric!
This might be the most creative dress i’ve ever seen!
What a fun dress! And the pattern looks so versatile, just what I like for my girls!
Nano iro <3
Nice bias tape on the neck!
Lovely dress! Fabulous fabrics!
Love this!
What a wonderful idea!
Very cute!
Adorable dresses and models! Thanks for the chance to win!
Cute dress and what a great giveaway!
Thanks for the fun ideas!
What a fun dress! And combining the brooklyn dress with miss matatabi’s fabric sounds great!
Very smart idea!!!
Don’t have a girl to sew for (though, my current baby’s gender is still unknown…), but the fabric I could use. Always love Miss Matabi’s selection. Thanks for the giveaway!
What a creative interpretation! Live Nani Iro fabric..
Love the Franklyn dress, this is quite a cool variation for the classic pattern. Love the idea.
What a fun idea – look at that smile, she loves it!
I like the pattern! Simple and classic. And the idea putting toys on the dress is very interesting.
My daughter would love to have tiny stuffed animals in her clothes! Very cool dress 🙂
Oh, That Franklin dress is on my to-sew-list, I would love to win the pattern!
I’ve never had the pleasure of trying Nani Iro but if hear so many great things & it’s beautiful
How fun! Entertainment on the go! 🙂
Love the zip line – inspired!!!
Such a creative dress!
Great dress! Both my kids love creating zip lines for their toys as well!
Gorgeous combos – I’ve always wanted to try nani iro!
Great dress- I’m happy to be introduced to Brooklyn patterns….& will go to sleep dreaming of Nani iro.
Were I to win this generous gift, I promise to say kokka ranrara rabbit 10 times fast!
Amazing dress and fabrics!
i like thi fun dress. Not sure if my daughter would wear it, but so fun to look at!
preciosas telas y confecciones. espero tener suerte…gracias por estos concursos.
The dress is too cute! I’ve never sewn with Nani iro before but I’ve heard so much about it!
oh god, I love the dress 🙂
So creative!
What a unique dress! I can only imagine that if I made my daughter something similar, she’d become all tangled up in it!!
Im lovin that dress and those fabrics!
Very nice and a Great idea!!
I love the franklin dress!