A few days before her birthday, Beatrix asked me when I was going to start working on her birthday dress. My eyes widened as I responded with something along the lines of, “Are you sure you want me to sew you a birthday dress?”
I haven’t done much sewing over the past couple of years, and as far as sewing a dress goes, I have kind of a mental block there now. So many steps! Trace the pattern, cut things out, and on and on. So much harder than “pick up needles and yarn and cast on.” But, I had briefly considered making Bea something green for her birthday, as it’s been her favorite color for the past six months or so, and I had been entertaining the thought of maybe sewing her a dress. So, on the way home from our co op last week, I stopped at the fabric store with six kids. Ideally, I would have made the trip by myself, but I didn’t have time. I chose a fabric, a really nice olive-y green print, and Beatrix promptly rejected it. I hadn’t really counted on her input, and certainly not her rejection of my fabric choice. She’s awfully opinionated though, so I should have expected it. I guess I just assumed that I have good taste, and she would agree.
She totally didn’t. She didn’t like anything I suggested. She dismissed my choices as not being “seasonal.” I wasn’t aware that she uses that word, but yes, she does. She wanted seasonal fabric. Once she spotted the birds on bare branches, chickadees being her favorite, there was no swaying her. I groaned inwardly. It’s not that it’s a bad fabric, it just wasn’t what I was envisioning. As we checked out at the fabric store, Beatrix informed the lady ringing us up that her mom only had two days to sew her a birthday dress. She openly displayed her skepticism, but I think that deep down she expected me to come through.
Once home, Bea rejected the dress pattern that I wanted to use in favor of a jumper. I didn’t argue there at all. The pattern that I chose was a “two scissors” pattern, and her choice was “one scissors,” meaning easier. The night before her birthday, I realized I would need a shirt for her to wear under her jumper. I am not a fan of shopping, and especially not at the mall. When I emailed my friend Lori (Bea’s godmother!) that I was heading out an hour or so before everything closed to find a shirt, she went ahead of me, quickly scouring the stores for a little shirt with a Peter Pan collar. She found the only one to be had at our mall and had already placed it on hold for me by the time I arrived. I was so grateful, especially considering that I still had a good three hours of sewing ahead of me when I returned home. I finished the dress about two hours before Beatrix’s official birthday began.
The following day, I found myself realizing that Bea’s birdie jumper wasn’t so bad after all. I have never seen her so enamored with anything that I’ve made for her before. It was her choice, what she wanted. And really, it was a lesson I needed to go ahead and learn as far as Beatrix is concerned, though ultimately it’s true for all children. I did a little bit of letting go of what I wanted for her, and accepted her choice. Someday it will be something far more important than birthday dress fabric. This was really just a little practice run.
Happy 6th Birthday to our dear, fierce, little Beatrix! She’s been quite a force from her very first day and we love her to pieces!
CindyS says
There’s something about that girl that just makes me smile
Lynn says
lovely dress, lovely daughter – happy Birthday Bea…. let her pick her own fabric and she will love to learn how to sew for herself one day (I was that little girl too)….
You are a very special Mom, Ginny.
hugs across the miles,
Lynn / TX
Melody says
I bet there’s one 6 yr. old girl whose gonna’ be wearing her birthday dress as often as she can and until she simply has grown too big to fit it! Love everything about this post!
J.S. Oxford says
I’m 23, and I would wear this dress. How awesome. 😀 Happy Birthday Beatrix!
Alzbeta says
I adore it! Isn’t it funny how our littles sometimes know just as well/better what will work? I love their sweet intuition.
Sarah says
That next to the last picture of your daughters made me choke up. The love on your older daughter’s face is just beautiful!
Kate says
I love little girl jumpers! I made a lot of them when my girls were younger. They are simple and quick to make, and you can be more daring with the fabric since a simple blouse tones down the design (as Beatrix has shown you). This might be the only time in Beatrix’ life that she can carry off a bird-patterned dress with such style, so it’s good that you gave her that bit of happy.
Liuba says
what a cute dress, great job!!!
Sarah says
My kids are pretty opinionated too. When I manage to let go, seeing their reasoning, their choices, and their self confidence and satisfaction – that’s worth so very, very much more than choosing for them. Thank you so much for sharing and reminding me (and Happy Belated Birthday Bea! Gorgeous dress!)
Lana says
Love, love, love the dress!
Corinne says
Oh, I just love the jumper! The fabric is beautiful and so is the birthday
girl!!! Gods blessing to you Bea on your 6th!!
Corinne
Noeh says
It’s the most lovely dress I ever saw! Happy birthday!
Balisha says
I love that fabric. Tell Bea that she has exquisite taste in picking something “seasonal” Happy Birthday Bea.
Balisha
Joyful says
It’s a beautiful dress! Great choice in fabric! 🙂 Happy Birthday Beatrix!
Nahuatl Vargas says
Great lesson and beautiful dress!
Theresa says
The dress is just lovely! I’m so glad you warmed up to it, because it is truly sweet and you did a fine job!
Happy Birthday, Beatrix (and to the mama that did the birth part 😉 ) !
Wendy says
The dress is lovely–it’s always hard to let go of our preconceived mama ideas isn’t it (I think your olive green idea was fabulous 🙂 Glad she was thrilled with the results! Happy Birthday, Beatrix!
Heather says
Beautiful, Happy Birthday!
Mat. Anna says
Wow, what a heroic mama. (c: It looks just lovely and she looks lovely in it! The photos are all just wonderful.
Laura says
I have to say, I actually cringed just a tad when you said you brought all the kids in the fabric store. I’ve hated doing that and much prefer to go alone or with one or two (preferably my girls)….but there are times that it must be done!! Also, while I personally would not have chosen that fabric, I think it works really well with the dress style snd for your kids! In fact, I may have to find that fabric – one of my girls would absolutely adore it!! That pattern is my all- time favorite. I’ve made more dresses by that pattern than any others and am actually going to make another for one of my girls soon. Anyway, you did a great job pulling it all together so quickly! Happy birthday to Bea!
Trista says
I wish Beatrix a Happy 6th Birthday, and I’m so curious to know what Lark was saying to Bea during the cake ceremony!
I had to catch up on the blog having been on a trip- you have had quite the week! I hope the pipes, dryer and skunks are further along with being solved issues.
Bee says
As a huge bird lover, I adore this dress. It looks so good on her, and I love how happy she seems to be wearing it. What a wonderful present, Ginny. Happy birthday to Beatrix! 🙂
BONNIE SCHULZETENBERG says
OMG Ginney, I can see from the responses that you did a good thing. BUT when one sees the dress that your labor of love went in, it is beyond comprehension. So very beautiful and so beautifully made and so beautifully accepted.
you are so amazing Ginney, I could say that all day.
Your talent far surpasses your own realization.
Love you mommy
Bonnie
Becky says
Ha! I love Beatrix stories, she is a stitch (seasonal fabric…obviously, mom!). The dress is lovely, and I find the birds quite seasonal, and very pretty! Very impressed with your timeframe, too. I was afraid to start a nightgown for my daughter, worried I wouldn’t finish by Christmas…this post will be my reality check!
Missy says
Ok, what is the fabric info? I’ve got to get my hands on some! Bea has great taste!
Anna Magga says
Such a beautiful dress. As I was scrolling down the pictures I was thinking, now there is a little girl who clearly loves her new dress 🙂 And as it turns out, that’s exactly what was going on 🙂
Barbara says
Happy Birthday Beatrix!
She’s such a unique little lady. I have one who knows her own mind much better than I do, so I can really relate. We’ve had some humdinger fights over clothes! But I LOVE Bea’s choice of fabric and pattern. Maybe she has started down the path of her future. 😉
Love, love all the pictures, too. Feels almost like being there.
Mandi says
I absolutely LOVE her dress! It turned out beautifully and -wow- I can’t believe you were able to sew it so quickly for her! Happy birthday, Beatrix!
Kelli says
Bea and her birthday dress are lovely. Job well done, Ginny.
Happy birthday, little one!!
Bianca says
I really like the fabric pattern! Before I read what you wrote, I admired the fabric!
Good job.
Leanne@cottagetails says
Happy Birthday to Beatrix. I love her dress and the fabric she has chosen. Ginny it is a dress she will remember for many years, your a good mum! Love Leanne NZ
Jennifer says
I love her dress! If I were six it’s exactly what I would love. I’m sort of trying to figure out how I could get away with wearing one 😉
I think it’s a huge deposit in your relational bucket to let her choose her fabric, to be her. Kids need that, even when it’s hard on us parents.
Happy birthday, Beatrix!
Jenny says
I think the material is perfect! It’s funny how bad our taste in anything changes according to our children as a they age. I saw my first Cardinal of the season yesterday; one of my favorite birds.
heathermama says
that fabric in that pattern is perfection! i think the hardest part of parenting is the letting go. happy birthday to your little Bea <3
Kelly says
Beautiful!!
Monique says
Love the dress 🙂 Happy Birthday to your Beatrix.
Jackie says
Gosh, you’re clever! What a beautiful dress. Having read your blog for a few years now, the posts about Beatrix are up there with my favourites. She’s very endearing!
Sara says
I have a just-turned-six green-loving girl as well, and I can honestly say that I’m having a very hard time going with HER fabric and style choices (which are most definitely NOT my choices) when it comes to sewing, and clothes in general, these days. I just about had a heart attack the other day when she told me her second favorite color after green was black. Isn’t that supposed to be saved for the teenage years?
Congratulations on letting Beatrix choose, and the dress is beautiful! Happy Birthday, Bea!
Jen says
Cute dress, beautiful little girl!! Happy birthday Beatrix!
Jennifer says
Happy birthday to Beatrix! I love the dress, you did a terrific job. I really enjoyed the series of photos of both girls, very sweet and funny.
Sally says
I just love her birdie dress! Of course I’m a lover of the birds.
Judith says
Happy birthday Beatrix!
She was born around the time I started reading your blog and I have been lurking here ever since. I am from The Netherlands and the name Beatrix holds special meaning here, as it is the name of our former Queen, who abdicated two years ago. Because of the strong identity of our Queen, Beatrix is a name that is hardly used in my country. A pity, because it is a lovely name!
Rachel Marie says
i think the birdie fabric was a lovely choice. and I adore the sister pictures. happy birthday to your fierce girl. we have a 6 year old one of those too 😉
Lauren says
Ohmygosh what a Bea-utiful dress. So unique & personal. And now after hearing that the sales lady was skeptical Beatrix must know that her mama is quite the sewing wiz!
Elizabeth says
many years to dear B!!! That is really a sweet dress and I do like the birds on it; fits her so well and looks darling! I think that lesson is one we all need; about listening to another…. such beautiful pictures! May God bless you all in B’s 6th year!
Wanda says
I recognized that fabric immediately!!! You did a great job:))))).
Kris says
Beautiful dress, beautiful words. And oh, I can relate to children in the fabric shop – just having two out of our four with me there has done me in, never mind six! You’re brave!
Patricia says
I love the dress – what pattern did you use? I’d love to make on for my granddaughter who is five and wears a size 8. And also love the fabric, agree completely with Beatrix on her choice. Since Ellie loves birds so much this fabric would be perfect for her jumper also.
Sara says
Patricia – I could be wrong, but I think this is the Oliver&S Music Box Jumper. The pattern is here:
http://oliverands.com/oliver-and-s-patterns/OLV-OS021MB.html
Patricia says
Sara – Thanks for the quick reply, I’m ordering the pattern today. After searching for “fabric winter birds” found the material at JoAnn’s online. Noticed that the pattern didn’t seem to have a button up back – and that’s fine with me – button holes are my downfall (LOL). If when the pattern arrives, it does have the dreaded back buttons, I’ll fumble through it then.
mamabyrd says
Thanks for tip on where to find the fabric. It’s just beautiful and so seasonal! I think I need to make something with it.
Patricia says
LOL – I just reread the info on the pattern and it clearly states its a button up in the back – LOL. Now need to dig out my button-hole foot for my tired old sewing machine – and find the instructions on how to use it!
Sara says
Buttonholes are not my favorite, either! The Oliver & S patterns have fantastic instructions, though, so hopefully that will help a bit. Good luck!
Lisa G. says
It is a dress fit for a little queen! I love the birds, the nice, crisp pleats. Good job.
teresa says
I actually think it is a lovely dress… Fabric and all! Good job on having everything done on time. With a baby that awakes every two hours during the night my energy levels are so low that I’ve hardly made anything in the last montn or so…