Memories of Dresses Past

When I was 8 years old, I went to spend the summer with my grandparents in Tompkins, Saskatchewan. They lived in town but still had their homestead not far away. My grandfather was a mechanic and my grandmother was a seamstress and a bit of a fashion plate. At Christmas time, she and Grandpa would arrive with the perfect outfits for my younger sisters and me and, although they hadn’t seen us for months, they always fit.

At the end of August, Grandma took me shopping in the big city of Swift Current. It was the most cosmopolitan thing this little farm girl had ever done. We even went out for lunch. She picked out a cotton twill striped dress that buttoned all the way down the front and an orange cross body purse among other things. I think I may have had a hat too but it’s that orange purse and the striped dress that I remember so well.

I enjoy sewing things for my two grandsons but a girl needs a girly fix from time to time. Just ask my daughter-in-law. She lives in a house full of boys. I keep telling my sisters, I need a granddaughter but in the meantime though, I am enjoying sewing a few things for my great-niece Caroline. She’s a sassy little go-getter who loves to boss me (and others) around.  She’s about 2.5 years old.

The dress pattern is by Compagnie M. and I had been waiting for the appropriate fabric to introduce itself. When I got home with this tulip print, I knew it was a match. I adore the unexpectedness of the lowered back and the punctuation of the single turquoise button. Such a fun project and it should fit Caroline this summer.

Now… I may just have to work on designing an orange purse to match.