project run and play | week 1 | party dress remix

(fabric and pattern details are located at the bottom of the post)

It's week one of Project Run and Play (head over to vote and check out more photos!!) Our theme this week was to remix the Party Dress Pattern by Cottage Home. I didn't really have a plan when I started this outfit other than I knew I wanted to remix the pattern into something more casual - a fun, colorful, swingy top. The fabric choices and additional pieces evolved by my usual creative process: trial and error! I felt that getting the proportions all three pieces right was important and really focused on that. I'm excited that everything came together as I'd hoped and decided that this had to be the outfit the kiddo wears for her 5th(!) birthday party next month. I love that this outfit is easy to wear and perfect for play but still has a 'dress up" quality.


To create the top, I shortened the bodice of the pattern quite a bit and added a functional button placket to the front. I used dark brown buttons which I sewed on with bright blue thread to add some visual contrast. I chose to pair the top with a sunny yellow knit cardigan and some cuffed linen-blend shorts. I wanted the cardigan to have a vintage feel so I added a peter pan collar (learned this trick from Carrie at a Sewing Summit Class) with faux piping, 3 small pearl-look buttons, and cropped the sleeves and overall length. The shorts have several little details...flat front, elastic back, pockets, side pockets, pleats, and a functioning fly. These were the most technically challenging garment I've sewn to date but I feel like I learned a lot in the process.


TOP/ 
fabric: City Planning in Tan by Jay McCarrol     
pattern: remixed Party Dress by The Cottage Home + button placket tutorial by Melly Sews

CARDIGAN/
fabric: sew classic knits solid interlock in goldenrod - Joann Fabrics + grey knit scraps from stash
pattern: aster cardigan

SHORTS/
fabric: Robert Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen Blend in Black
pattern: self-drafted based on a pair of Zara shorts

TIGHTS/ 
store-bought | Target (last fall)

SHOES/
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Don't forget to head over to Project Run and Play to vote for your favorite look!

59 comments

  1. Really love this look! So casual yet so eye catching. Well done and good luck!

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  2. This is just adorable. I really like the color choices and the versatility of all of the pieces. Nice job!

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  3. By FAR my favorite outfit in the competition! Love, love it! Even my daughter (who coincidentally turns 5 next month too!) quickly picked it as her favorite as she looked at the pictures with me. If ever you feel like offering a tutorial on any one of these pieces, I would be one happy girl:) Congrats on a great ensemble!

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  4. Vanessa, this casual remix is lovely. Great colors and proportions.

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  5. it´s simply perfect! Hate the original pattern but really love your outfit!

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  6. I love this heaps!! I don't want Eddie growing up TOO quick, but I'm looking forward to when she is old enough to rock this sort of style!

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  7. Vanessa this is ADORABLE! I love it. All the pieces and colors just work together so well, and the tights and shoes are perfect with it. And your daughter is stunningly beautiful, by the way. I always think that when I see her :)

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  8. I am in love with this whole outfit. So well done! Where can I buy this for my little one? : )

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  9. Brilliant pattern remix! I love how the pieces work together to create something totally original and fashion forward And wearable. My kids never wear the party dresses I've made them. They like separates now.I'm your newest follower!

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  10. Just darling! I'm so impressed how you can transform these patterns into your own design - very cool. And I agree - a darling look on your absolutely beautiful daughter!

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  11. This is so adorable! I'd totally wear it myself and have matching pairs for all my girls. Love it!

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  12. I love the fabric choices, and to me that is one important step. I's love to see a step by step blog post on the peter pan collar. Great job. Where do you buy most of your knits? I have a hard time finding quality knit fabrics?
    Deborah
    http://sewmuchtogive.blogspot.com

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  13. vanessa- wow!!
    so cute.
    love everything about it- especially paired with the stripey leggings.

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  14. That is so cute! I love what you came up with...the colors, the style....everything! Great job!

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  15. Spectacular outfit, my fave by far also! I love your style, it's so clean and simple but with perfect details. Fabulous fabulous. Fingers crossed for a winning tutorial post next week.

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  16. This is fantastic!! I love the bright yellow cardigan and the shirt! You are right, perfect for an active five year old little girl!! My daughter is turning 5 next month too!! I second Robin's comment above...fingers crossed for a winning tutorial post next week! ;)

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  17. That is an amazing outfit from top to bottom!! Love everything. I would love to see how you altered the Flashback Skinny tee into that darling cardigan.

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  18. I love this whole look. The cardigan is my favorite!

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  19. Vanessa! This is so great. I've always been drawn to your style. I love everything about this. Good luck with the contest!!!

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  20. This is how I'd like to dress my daughter every day. You nailed it! I have a cardigan/shorts project in the works and I'm definitely including the peter pan collar now. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  21. Amazing, Vanessa. I love the cardigan. You definitely got the proportions right on each piece... it couldn't be more perfect. Stellar job!

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  22. I hope I will be able to dress baby girl like this when she is turning 5! What great colors and proportions - excellent use of the inspiration while thinking OUTSIDE the box.

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  23. Hands down this is my FAVE look! Every piece of it is perfection. It is so hard to get the right lengths and proportions of the different pieces, but you really nailed it. Styled so cute too!

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  24. I adore this entire outfit!!! I want one in my size! Love the print for the shirt. Just perfect!

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  25. Love, love it!! This outfit is so fresh and fashion forward. And it doesn't look one single bit like my original pattern (which is great!!). Your work with pairing the different patterns, textures and colors is always so refreshing. Great job, Vanessa!!

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  26. Super cute - I voted for you :) Pleased to see that you were coming first at the moment...
    The yellow is so cheerful and I just love clothes that kids can actually use and be comfortable in! Good luck!

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  27. I voted for you! I didn't even have to look at the others because Oh my goodness, that cardigan is the cutest! I want this so bad. Will you please think about making a pattern when this is all done or a tutorial? I have to make this!!!! I know you got it by remaking the flash back so maybe a tutorial based off of it. It's sooo my style and what I like for my girls. Like another commenter said, it's fresh and fashion forward and adorable! Very CrewCuts.

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  28. Um... This is darling! The details, fabric choices/mix of prints, scale... All of it is perfect! So excited to see more!

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  29. oh man, this is so so so so CUTE. I love every piece. Well done!
    You have such wonderful taste Vanessa.

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  30. I really love this! All of the fabrics go so well together, and the whole look is just really precious on her. That print for the top is awesome. It will be added to my list of wants. Ha.

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  31. Darling outfit! Very contemporary and sweet at the same time.

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  32. i commented over at project run & play, but i just wanted to pop over and say that i love this outfit! great job, you were my favorite! :)

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  33. seriously amazing. i love everything about this outfit!

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  34. I love the fabric in the shirt, great job!

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  35. This is so cheerful and fun. I love it!

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  36. This is fantastic....all the pieces compliment one another so very well! Tasteful and stylish, topped with a little vintage flair. GREAT JOB!

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  37. I am BEYOND excited about this whole Project Run and Play experience! I started watching PROJECT RUNWAY long before I had my two sweets and started sewing for them and somehow I JUST found the PRAP blog and your fabulous site! Voted for you!! :) Maybe next season I'll join in the fun......

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  38. love this! such a great use of print and the little cardigan has such a lovely cut.

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  39. You win hands down! I voted for you and in my opinion it was no contest!

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  40. A really cute outfit! I voted for you! Good luck!

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  41. LOVE THIS, vanessa! So much. I have that same Jay McCarroll print in blue that I've been saving (only bought a FQ, what's wrong with me?). Love how you used color, and the proportions are spot on. So wearable and inspirational at the same time. Well done, ma'am!

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  42. This is SO cute and stylish! My little girl would LOVE this outfit! Very sweet!!

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  43. Vanessa. Well done. I love the yellow accent and the surprising denim shorts pulls it all together. Looks really trendy.

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  44. I can only agree with all that has been written before - this is a gorgeous outfit. Beautiful colour combination and a fantastic collection of clothes. Stylish, fun and perfectly grown up for a 5 year old!!

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  45. Vanessa this outfit is absolutely pitch perfect! I love every little detail, and am so impressed with your precision--I'm such a sucker for precision!
    Can't wait to see what else you do, I'm such a fan!
    Miriam from madmim.com

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  46. I´m very happy for you and all the votes you´re getting! this is a fantastic outfit for a 5 year old girl. I love the styling and the photo too. Well done!!!!
    María

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  47. EEEK! Those colors are to die for! Great job!

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  48. I need the big girl version of this!

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  49. Congrats on the win! I love it so much!

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  50. This little outfit is just the sweetest! I featured it on my Favorite Things Thursday post today. http://missloviecreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-favorite-things-thursday.html You should stop by if you want and grab a featured button. Congrats on winning this round on Project Run and Play!

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  51. I love this outfit; would wear it if I could get way with it! Congratulations on the win, you really deserve it :)

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  52. This outfit is the cutest! I would LOVE this for my little girl. You are so talented!!

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  53. The dress is well cut and put together solidly. I will say that it is not the best quality of material, but it does not look cheap. Great purchase and price point, so I would buy again!
    Gianni Bini

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  54. march !wonderful Season! I got this fall collection at
    http://www.camarillohalf.org/
    Fake Nike Air Max Outlet.

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