A non-itchy princess dress

When I made a princess dress for Clara a few months ago I also offered to make Maryanna one.   But she insisted, "princess dresses are not for me".  I couldn't figure out why but didn't press into it far.   Just this week however it came out that "princess dresses are too puffy, itchy and long, and they are difficult to run and jump in".  So I told Maryanna to design a dress with the fabric I had on hand and I promised to make it soft and comfortable inside and out.   Here is her design (that was unpicked and re-sewn more than once until it was just was she had envisioned).  

   

Of course Baby Becca needed a matching one.  

To make it more comfortable the inside is lined with the soft white knit velour.  Maryanna said it is so cozy she might even wear it out in the snow.

I would have photographed them in a more active setting outside running, swinging and climbing but Maryanna encountered a little accident testing out the dress' mobility before it was even finished.  You see before the sleeves were set in and as soon as the bodice and skirt were attached she thought to climb up a door well (as she often does) just to make sure the dress wasn't too puffy.  Unfortunately the length of the slippery satin got in the way and she fell flat on her back.  No major injury resulted but she has a bruised hip and enough of a limp to prevent her from her usual activity level.  Instead she is most likely to be found slow dancing with Henry in the living room. 

When not being worn, the girls keep their special dresses hanging on hooks in their small bedroom.  I like that it is both functional and decorative, I also like that we have kept princess dress-ups to a minimum.