Franklin Dress

I made the Franklin dress pattern for my daughter for Easter.  Unfortunately, it ended up being a little chilly, so almost all of the pictures of her that day are covered up by a sweater.  Then, I made her an Easter basket from the Fabric Basket Tutorial from Ellison Lane, which she also ended up not using because a bucket was provided at the Easter Egg Hunt.  Oh well!  She had a blast running around and picking up eggs, and that is what mattered.

Pattern: The Franklin Dress is the first dress pattern offered by the Brooklyn Pattern Company.

Franklin Dress

Pattern Description (from designer): A surprisingly simple dress with playful details and endless options. Whether romping in the dirt with frogs in her pockets or strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge, both mom and daughter will appreciate the versatility. A pleated yoke frames the face while gathered sleeves add a special touch. Go casual with a sweet polka dot cotton or dress it up with linen or silk.

Pattern Price: $12

Fabric Required: For 12 month size, it requires 1- 1.5 yards depending on width.

Amount of fabric used: I used 1 yard of 54″ wide fabric and did not have garment sewing usable scraps after.

Sizing: Includes sizes 6 months – 8 years.  I made size 2T.  Actual measurements are not included, which I am so used to using to decide what size to make that I was lost without it.

Franklin Dress

Alterations: I made the pattern as written.

Instructions: Instructions are good and there is also a sew-a-long for beginners or anyone who needs extra help.  Diagrams are included in the pattern.  My only issue is below.

Pattern Issues: My only complain is that the diagram showing where to place the interfacing behind the buttonholes makes it look like it should be placed again the cut edge of the fabric, instead of inside the seam or even just centered on the line you are going to put the buttonholes on.  I knew it didn’t seem right as I was doing it, but I try to follow the instructions as written for the first time I make a pattern so I went with it in case there was some reason it was done that way.  There wasn’t.

Fabric Choice: I made it in a lovely purple stretch poplin purchased from Mood, now out of stock.  I originally purchased it for me (back when I had a short-lived misconception that I could make a woven shirt for myself out of 1 yard of fabric).  I used 1 yard of fabric for her dress.

Franklin Dress

Finished Product: It is a very sweet dress.

Husband’s opinion: Why did I make it a dress when we never dress our daughter in dresses?

Notes for future makes: The bodice width is a bit wide.  Not crazy wide, more room to grow wide, but if in doubt about size I would probably go with the lower size.  Also, I would shorten it to make as a shirt so she would wear it more often.

Final Thoughts: It’s a pretty easy sew that makes a cute dress.

Ellison Lane Fabric Basket as Easter basket

I had to include the Easter Basket somewhere!  It was used during the practice egg hunts, so it wasn’t a total waste.  I’m probably going to remove the handles and use it as a thread catcher.  I like how it turned it!

Linking up to Frances Suzanne’s Link Party for the Franklin Dress Flip this Pattern, even though I didn’t flip it at all.

 

4 Replies to “Franklin Dress”

  1. It’s a beautiful dress! The basket is adorable too. And LOL at the misconception about the one yard of fabric. I can get knit tees for myself out of a yard … maybe a tank top using a wide woven?

  2. Gorgeous fabric and dress! I love the basket too – what a great idea to turn it into a thread catcher!

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