We had sickness in the house right before Christmas, but I still managed (by cutting some corners) to squeeze in making a quick Christmas dress for my oldest daughter. 

I used two lovely prints from the Pixie Noel 2 line by the fabulous designer Tasha Noel. My daughter is always a pocket lover, and her eyes shone when she saw these "candy cane pockets!"

The 1930s pattern I used is a size too big for her, but since I didn't make it until the very end of Christmas I wanted to be sure it would fit her next year. 

The waist is intended to be loose and fit with a tie belt. One of the corners I cut was to use a ribbon instead of making a belt.

I didn't like the look of inserting a zipper at the neck, so I went with making tiny buttonholes and lacing it up instead. I like how it looks with the cute red and white twine yarn – and I've seen this closure used in extant dresses so I know it's accurate for the 1930s. The down side is that it's harder to get over the head: note to self – if lacing, make the opening longer!

Rather than doing a contrast collar I opted to make some binding to edge it. 

I love this fabric – it's subtly Christmassy without being so Christmas-specific that she can't wear it for the rest of the winter. She was very pleased with it even if it is a bit big for her!