Sandi Anna

We've had the Ruby Anna, the Olivia Anna and now the Sandi Anna.

This is the Anna dress pattern by Farbenmix made using Sandi Henderson Meadowsweet fabric teamed with Michael Miller Ta Dot (always a winner!)

This is a quick and easy pattern to sew and it can easily be made reversible, though I chose not to here.

I have to say when I make things reversible it's usually not worth the effort, as I always have a favourite side that I get the girls to wear anyway.

It's a great trans-seasonal dress as it can be worn in cooler weather with a long sleeved T under it rather than a short sleeved T.

Instead of doing fabric ties at the back I went with a coordinating ribbon - just to give it a it more of a party look. I used finer ribbon of the same colour for the reverse tie, which is fastenened on her stomach.

I think this is a little too big for her - but this pattern is sized based on height.

The sizings include 110/116cm and then the next size is 122/128cm.

Miss L is 116cm so I chose to make 122/128cm but she could really have done with an inbetween size.

Still it will now fit for ages!

Though that means less sewing required - hmm better have a rethink of that...

Look who's smiling

Well this little lady was not very happy a few posts back when I had her try on a dress that was destined for her cousin.

She was very keen to keep it, despite it being far too large for her.

So here she is feeling very pleased with herself in her very own Anna dress, made from fabric featuring the book character Olivia the pig.

You might recall this same little girl had an Olivia birthday cake, you could say she's a bit of a fan.

It sounds ludicrous but I have been thinking a lot about the crafting I want to get done ready for the girls for Christmas.

As far away as Christmas seems, I know the end of year rush will catch up with me and I want to be a bit more organised than last year.

On my list I already have some storybook bags featuring 'The Princess and the Pea' and another fairy tale yet to be decided. I intend to include a book with each set.

For a while I have also wanted to make up one of these carry-along houses.

Since seeing these ones over at My Black Cardigan, I am even more determined to get these done, aren't they great.

I'm also keen to make a puppet theatre of some sort - maybe the one that goes in a door like this made from Amy Carol's "Bend-the-rules sewing" book.

Then there are also portable blackboards that I would like to do , just because I am dying to try out the blackboard fabric and I think they would be great for in the car as we travel to and from family events.

Anyone else care to share some gifts you hope to make, whether for Christmas or another occasion?

Ruby Anna

I guess that's what you call an Anna dress made as a birthday gift for my niece Ruby?

I haven't made this pattern since the first time I did for another birthday gift, almost a year ago.

Not sure why - I guess I forgot about it, but it's easy to make and a really versatile Farbenmix pattern that I think will become one of my favourites.

I have plans to make it up in the 'top' length as well - and fully reversible.
This one wasn't fully reversible cos to make it in this size would use quite a lot of fabric.

It looks very long here, but keep in mind it's a size 134-140cm on a 108cm child! This shows you how versatile it is though - apart from the length, the fit doesn't look ridiculous given it's several sizes too large.

The flower is a pin or brooch so it can be taken off and put on the other side of the dress when it's worn the other way.

That's the versatile bit - you can turn this dress around and tie it the other way for a completely different dress.

Ruffles on one side, ribbon and ricrac on the other.

Check out some more versions here.

Excuse the pink ballet slippers peeking out the bottom of the dress and the serious face, you can only ask so much of your models really.

Face painting courtesy of the fairy where we had Mother's Day breakfast.

Made in 8oz demin with red topstitching throughout.