Red and black Christmas dress for little girls.

Before I had kids, there was not a major occasion which I did not have an outfit sewn specifically for that event. When I became a mom, that luxury took a back seat as, understandably so, all my time was consumed by my little munchkins. Now that both my kiddos are a bit older and I am again finding time for my passions, there is nothing I love to do more than make pretty outfits for my pretty girl. 

One of my most recent projects is a Christmas dress that she wore during this past holiday season.

I wanted to sew a dress that was different than the typical Christmas dress you'd find a toddler wearing. To me that meant no velour, no big voluminous skirt, no Christmas-coloured plaid, and no large bows or bow ties. I was aiming for a pretty dress in a unique print with some trendy elements.

I spotted this red and black "metallic" fabric one random time when I was shopping for an unrelated project and immediately loved it! A little bit of shimmer and a grown-up print that could easily be pulled off by a toddler. I knew it would be perfect for my daughter's Christmas outfit.

This dress is simple in design, but the fabric colours and texture make a big statement so it's good to keep things uncomplicated here. The tulip sleeves add that modern and trendy element I was seeking. 

At the back I inserted a full-length, exposed zipper in a pretty polished charcoal finish. I like how it adds some "edge" and makes the dress a bit more unique.

The dress is fully lined with a soft black cotton fabric, and even the lining has a decorative band of fabric along its hem. This actually happened by accident; I originally cut the dress a tad too short (ooops!). The thick band of fabric on the lining added just the right amount of length.

In addition to the dress, I also sewed a cropped faux fur vest. I originally thought this would make a nice accent but in the end, my daughter and I both preferred the look of the dress on its own. Paired with classic thick black tights and a pair of really cute ankle booties, this holiday outfit is on point!