“You can’t stick it on with soap, Peter. It needs sewing. That’s the proper way to do it. Although, come to think of it, I’ve never thought about it before… um… sewing shadows, I mean.  –Wendy Darling, from Peter Pan, Disney, 1953

 The character of Wendy from Peter Pan is such a nurturer.  She cares for her siblings, and even tries to help Peter get his shadow back.  Earlier this week, I told you about my daughter’s idea for their family to be characters from Peter Pan.  My oldest granddaughter, Miss E, was a great choice for Wendy.

Miss E loves to care for her younger siblings—she encourages them, teaches them and has even begun to make lunch for them!  She oozes sweetness, and is wise beyond her eight years.  She loves books and nature.  I can’t wait to see what God has planned for her life!

Fabric Choice:

I chose broadcloth for this project because not only is it easy to work with, but it has wonderful drape to accomplish the flow of Wendy’s nightdress.  It is also an inexpensive fabric, which makes it a great choice for a Halloween costume.

 

Pattern:

You could use any girl’s dress pattern with a bodice and puffy sleeves for a sloper.  Miss E currently wears a 10 in ready-to-wear.  There are not as many options for girls’ patterns in that size.  Miss E’s measurements were an 8 in the chest, but she measured three inches larger than an 8 in the waist.  I had Simplicity #2989 on hand in sizes 3-8, so I decided to alter and hack this pattern for use in this project.

From the pattern itself, all I needed was the bodice.  Starting at the top of the side seam, I created a new seam line  that would add ¾” at the bottom of the bodice pieces, adding 3 inches total to the waist.

Another change I made was to move the zipper to the back by not cutting on a fold and adding seam allowance to the center back seam.

For the length, I asked my daughter to measure the total length of the dress she would need, shoulder to ankle.  Looking at the pattern envelope, the finished length of the original dress was 30 1/2″.  To know now long to make the skirt for the Wendy dress, I subtracted the original finished length from the new desired length.  Miss E’s desired length was 40 1/2″, so we needed to add 10 inches.  The original skirt piece for that dress measured 21 1/4″.  I added that difference to the measurement of the original skirt piece which made the total length of my new skirt piece 31 1/4″.

I simplified the skirt to a simple gathered skirt rather than the circle-type skirt that was in the pattern.  I cut a front piece on the fold, and two back pieces the required length, utilizing the entire 45” fabric width.

For the underskirt, I had chosen white broadcloth and 3 1/2” eyelet lace trim.  Those pieces were cut as above except subtracting the hem allowance and trim from the length.

Construction:

I made the bodice and lining according to instructions, except for moving the zipper opening to the center back.  I gathered and attached the sleeves, and then sewed the side seams.

I sewed the underskirt sections together and finished the bottom with the trim.  I also sewed the main skirt sections together and finished the hem.

I then sewed the center back seam of the underskirt, leaving about a 7” opening at the top.  I finished the edges of that opening with a narrow ¼” hem.

I gathered the skirts, one at a time and basted each one in place to the bodice, keeping the underskirt at least 2 inches away from the center back seam.  I then sewed the waistline seam.  To reduce bulk, I serged all the layers together, but you could finish that seam in any way you see fit.

I used a 14” zipper.  I measured down the center back to where the zipper stop would fall and sewed the center back seam of the dress to that point.  Then, I basted the zipper opening closed and applied the zipper.

Finishing Touches:

I used grosgrain ribbon to make the sash and attached it on each side seam so it wouldn’t get lost when playing dress-up later.  I used the same grosgrain ribbon and tied a bow onto a hair clip for her hair.

 

Final Thoughts:

I always tell little Miss E never to forget that she is the one who made me a Grammy.  I think it is so important, and will be even more important in those coming awkward years to remind her how much we love her.  When you are the oldest, I think it could seem like the grown-ups are getting ever so excited about the littlest ones.  You might start wondering where you fit in.  So, keep telling your “tween”agers how beautiful they are–  it is such an awkwardly amazing and beautiful time!

Miss E was the perfect Wendy.  I could almost envision her taking off and flying in that dress!  One day she really will fly…