Peppermint Stick Holiday Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

I'm so jealous of Melody.

She looks so good in this holiday dress. I'd love to wear something like this to a Christmas party I was hosting. I should make a maternity version (not fitted of course:) and have a party as an excuse to wear it.

The dress is made from a stretch poplin, heavier weight cotton material. The color is crisp, "white as snow" white. It is contrasted by a peppermint striped grosgrain sash that ties at the waist.

It looks fairly simple, but to me it's special because it is the FIRST fitted skirt piece I've ever made.

I wouldn't call it a 'tulip' skirt, more like a 'pencil'. If there was one thing I would change, it would be the length. I would want it to reach past her knees by an inch or two and taper to a point at the hem. But other than that it looked very similar to my original sketch.

Brian and I were talking about the Shabby Apple Dresses and noting how some of them are fitted. And it dawned on me that I've never made a fitted dress. Not that it's more difficult, in fact, it was a lot easier and used a lot less fabric. I just don't favor fitted dresses but this one makes me want to make a dozen more.

I added a ruffle to the neckline and ends of the sleeves.The sleeves are very fitted and shows off a demure arm. I think my sister would look good in this dress too. Both Melody, Channy and Abi are very slim and slight.

I'd say this dress looks 'sophisticated' but still 'youthful'. I really like how the sash POPS out from the white color of the dress.

I really whipped this dress up super fast! I was impressed with the amount of time it took. I started it on Tuesday and put the finishing touches on it as Melody came in the door.

I worked on it while Molly took her naps and all together I put only 3 hours into it. That includes creating the pattern, cutting the material and of course sewing it together.

Melody emailed me her measurements but I was so in a hurry I just started it without looking twice. I was shocked when she came down the steps with everything looking fitted and right.

I really liked the stretch poplin material. I would use it again for a pencil skirted dress. It's a heavier weight material which looks more expensive than say....broadcloth and it's very forgiving in terms of fit. I wouldn't use it with an A-line because of its stretch but for a dress like this it was PERFECT!

This frock looks great with a cup of hot cocoa and a peppermint stick to swizzle with.

I was so fortunate that Melody, Brian's younger sister who's home from college, was willing to help me out modeling the dress. As you might have noticed I've been enlisting friends and family into my obsession.

They've all been so wonderful and I must say they've all been very photogenic! Take Melody here. I would describe her smile as 'sparkling'. And she looks so cheerful and pleasant in every photo, not surprising since she's pretty much like that in person as well.

I like using people other than myself. I think it adds some variation to Grosgrain. I think, if possible, I'd like to keep using more friends even after the baby is born.

I just realized I never told all of you what I'm having. I think I mentioned how awkward it was announcing the fact that I was pregnant. Don't worry announcing the gender went much better.

But I want to tell you all in separate post. I just haven't figured out how I want to say it. Perhaps I will get too busy in these upcoming months and I'll announce it when I post the first photo.

I would say this dress would fit a size 2 to 5.

If you'd like to win this dress just link to this post either using the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.

If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link at the top. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post.

If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

Update!! While creating a link is still the only requirement for entering a giveaway, leaving a comment along with your link makes it much easier to find your entry. This is mostly due to the fact that blog roll links often show up in my search for entries and can be difficult to sort through.

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