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I’ve heard holidays are universally difficult for people with addictions. Oh how difficult it is for me and my sewing addiction. The gifting and parties are just the impetus I need to encourage a quick whirl through the fabric stash for the right material and a flip through the pattern books for inspiration. Yesterday was our company Christmas party, and I fell off the wagon. How could I show up with my children in store-boughts? Over coffee, I decided on the pattern – inspired by this shirt dress from a japanese craft book:

Just as a sane person might stock the pantry with canned staples, I’d stocked my fabric stash with corduroys mid-summer – you never know if this is going to be the year it snows in July – so I had the perfect red corduroy. Before preschool, I drafted the pattern and cut the fabric. Over a conference call, I stitched it. I had to take a few shortcuts in order to get it ready in time. Don’t tell mom – I stitchwitched the cuffs after a failed attempt at sewing the inside seam. The two buttons are just for show – no time for button holes, and besides, buttons were clearly not invented by someone who has experience dressing a 2 year-old. Had this not been a rush job, I’d also have finished the inside a little better. All in all, I’m pleased with how it turned out.

The party dress, all partied out: (Note – Sylvie added the rice and cranberry juice stains, tutu was sewn this summer… happened to be the perfect underpinnings)

Now, just picture a blonde, plump two year-old with chocolate and cranberry juice smeared across her mouth, her hair held out of her eyes by a few grains of sticky rice and you’ll have the full effect.