Puperita's Hula Hoop Dress as a Birthday Gift

Front of the Puperita Hula Hoop Dress



Back of the Puperita Hula Hoop Dress

My niece turns three this weekend and I wanted to make her something special.  I've learned to ask for measurements after I made a birthday gift for another niece that was huge and ended up being altered to fit better, but in the end it was given away to a friend.  I also asked if she had any favorite colors or clothing preferences, but it turns out she isn't too picky about colors.  She does like girly things though, so I decided to make her a dress.  I considered sewing the Made for Mermaids Molly dress and  Lucy shorts, but I'm dreaming of cooler days and decided it made more sense to make something with sleeves.  Puperita recently released the Hula Hoop dress that is both cute and a quick sew, so it was perfect.


A couple of fabrics I considered.

I tend to spend a long time trying to decide what fabric to use for my creations.  I generally end up picking one and then I don't have a coordinating solid, so I "have" to go to Jo-Ann's Fabric store to match it.  After finding a couple of fabrics that would require me to go shopping,  I remembered that I had a few fun corduroy prints in the back of my shelf. 

Corduroy hidden in the back.

One of Susie's favorite dresses.

Since I was trying for a fall dress corduroy sounded perfect.  I have a fun spotted print that I purchased because it reminded me of one of Susie's favorite dresses.
  The colors are bold and bright and just make me happy, so it was the winner.

After deciding on the pattern and fabric, I was able to tape (12 pattern pages for the size 3), cut, and sew the dress in the couple of hours that remained of the school day.  I did remember to take a break for lunch and to feed Susie. 

A little bit about the actual pattern, for those that are considering buying it. 

Size
The PDF pattern ranges from size Newborn to 6 (and Puperita's size 6 is very generous).  Her listing provides a size by height chart, but the actual pattern contains chest, waist and hip measurements for each size.  I love that she tells you the dress will have 3.2" of ease built in and that the hem is above the knee, so if you want a slimmer fit you know to size down or you can add length if you don't want it to be as short. 
Pattern Pieces
All of the pieces are provided.  The dress is unlined, so it has front and back facing pieces.  The bodice pieces have dots for matching the sleeves and button or snap placement marks.  The sleeves are not cut on the fold, but are symmetrical, and they have dots provided to match the should seam and to match them on the bodice.  The front and back skirt are the same piece with a dashed line showing where to place the front piece for cutting it on the fold.  The back skirt is pieced instead of being cut on the fold to save fabric, but I will not piece it next time (I just don't like the look of the seam on the back skirt).
Construction
All of the pieces fit together beautifully.  The PDF provides clear pictures and instructions that were in a logical order.  The seam allowance is 3/8" or 1cm.  Where necessary you are instructed to press finish your seams, trim seam allowances, and clip corners.  She gives the option of interfacing the facing pieces I didn't this time, but might next, since my front facing wanted to pop forwards.  I loved that she has you understitch instead of topstitch the bodice facing it just provides a cleaner finish for the dress.  I also enjoyed how the button/snap facing (normally I'd call it a placket, but it's all one piece) and the front facing were assembled cleanly with the back bodice facing finishing the bodice button/snap facing edge.

  The inside of the dress is really nice as a result.  The sleeves are sewn in flat and then the side seam is sewn.  The skirt front and back are sewn together and it is gathered (the pattern calls for two lines of gathering stitches) before hemming.  The only construction element I changed is I added interfacing the back bodice button/snap facing, because snaps and button holes will fare better if it is interfaced.  I wasn't sure if I was supposed to sew the facing down to the bodice, but her instructions do not call for it and her finished dress clearly didn't show it, so I skipped it as well assuming that it is held down by the four snaps.

I really love the finished dress.  Isn't the little bow, just adorable?  I can't wait to give it to my niece this weekend.  I also can't wait to sew several for my own daughter.  I did try the dress on her and the size 3 is the right length, but quite a bit too wide, for my skinny Suzie.  When I sew her one I'll use Puperita's size 2 with length added.