The Busy Girl's Spring Trench

Ok, so I know it's still only Autumn (although the frosts in the mornings lately have been trying to trick me into thinking it is Winter). But I saw this fabric at Spotlight on one of my recent jaunts and just had to have it.  It was so bright and busy (just like my girl!) that I knew it would be the perfect fabric for Katherine's Oliver + S Secret Agent Trench.

I made the size 5 for my tall-but-lean 4-and-a-half year old, with some modifications. I was generous with the seam allowance in the sleeves and down the sides of the bodice to help slim it down a bit and I also had to take about an inch off the length of the sleeves. I kept the original length of the skirt and it sits just on the knee. I wasn't overly concerned about the length as I still want it to fit her in the Spring.

I wasn't 100% sold on the pink and white polka-dot buttons.  I did have some red ones I was thinking of using, but in the end I went with the pink ones as they were just such a perfect match for the bias I used to bind the seams with.  Plus the red buttons kind of got lost in the print.  I think I like the pink ones.  They give it a softer look.

I made the bias myself with some quilting cotton I had on hand.  I still have a bunch of it left but I am already thinking up a project to use it on.

I love this pattern - this is the second time I have made it now and I've got a couple more to make yet before I can put it away.  My sister has even put her hand up for one after I made one for my niece.  I even dreamed last night that I made one in a red and white polka dot... now there is a thought!  (Yes, I dream about sewing too, I am sad!)  It was much easier to make the second time around - I sewed it over three nights including making the bias tape and tracing and cutting the pattern. I like that it looks so much more complicated than it is!