Happy Chanukah from my Merry Modkid!

When I got the invite to join the Merry Modkid tour this week, I decided I'd let Miss P select the pattern she wanted for her holiday ensemble. Our family Chanukah party is usually pretty low-key, but we've got a few festive events coming up that I know she'll want to get dressed up for. Her birthday was last month and she was given tickets to see the Nutcracker, so she had that in mind when we designed this look together. The Reese Party Dress was a win for both of us - the long sashes make a generous bow that won her over, and the pointed collar and button tabs were fun details that appealed to me. The full, gathered skirt is the icing on the cake; this really is a fantastic party dress. I love that it is a timeless silhouette with modern details.

I think I've mentioned this here before, but my grandparents were all in the children's clothing business (my grandmothers were friends who introduced my parents to each other!). They retired when I was young, but their sense of style and opinions about childrenswear were frequent topics of conversation. Sometimes as I'm sewing for Miss P, I look at a garment and think that my grandmothers would have really fawned over it - this is one of those dresses for sure!

The Reese pattern lists a variety of woven fabrics that can be used, and for this one we used cotton from Art Gallery Fabrics. It has a beautiful, soft hand and holds its shape well. It's difficult to see since the print is quite busy, but the back bodice has an asymmetrical overlap that buttons at the top. I'd love to make one of these in a simple seersucker for summer!

Based on her measurements, I sewed a size 5 with the size 6 length for Miss P, and the fit was absolutely perfect. The button tabs cinch the bodice at the front, and I love that I can let them out a little for her to get more wear from this as she grows.

As you can see, she LOVED it. It'll be perfect for the Nutcracker, and anywhere else she chooses to wear it. As Chanukah begins this Sunday evening, we'll be lighting the candles on our family menorah, adding one each night until there are 8. As our kids get older, they'll begin to light their own menorahs as well, and the one you see here was made from wood by Miss P with my in-laws recently. She was so excited to use it for photos, and was even more excited that I let her light some candles for effect. In the photo at the top Miss P is holding the shamash, or helper candle, which is lit first and used to light the others. This sweet girl and her brother bring a lot of light and love into my life, and I hope that your days are filled with light as well. All the best at this holiday season and always, from our family to yours!

We'd love it if you check out the rest of the stops on this tour, which is running all week. You can use the code MERRYMODKID25 for 25% off your entire purchase at the Modkid Etsy shop, through Friday 12/4 at midnight EST.