A Year of Dresses: Fair and Square Top with Sterling Leggings

Are you still reveling in fun of summer, or are you in full back to school mode?  I am somewhere in the middle.  I homeschool my oldest; he will be in first grade this year, so I am getting our curriculum in order for the year.  But, I am also getting ready for our first no kids trip with hubby (thank you Grandma!), and that most definitely puts me in the reveling in summer category as well. And not to forget about our Southern Hemisphere readers.... Are you ready for Spring to come?  I am always more than ready for spring by the time it arrives!

Regardless of which category you fall into, you will love this week's A Year of Dresses. And, it's a bit of a double feature!  The Fair and Square Top (or dress) makes a great summer top, but has wide enough straps that it is also a great back to school sew for many.  It is also cute layered for cooler weather.  And, don't overlook those ADORABLE leggings!  Sterling Leggings are the second pattern in the Diva Collection and perfect for all year long.

The Fair and Square Top and Dress is available in both baby sizes 0-24 months as well as girls sizes 2-8.  Both patterns include both top and dress lengths.  I love the versatility of this pattern.  It is great as a layered jumper in the fall and winter.  Leave the tee and leggings (or tights) off for a summer dress in warmer weather.  Fair and Square for baby and girls is identical except for the addition of a placket in baby sizes to help fit over baby's proportionately bigger head.

Sterling Leggings will be a staple in every girls closet!  The pattern includes NINE sizes from 12 months through girls 9/10.  Jen worked tirelessly on this pattern and the fit is just perfect.  Make ruffled shorties, leggings with single or double ruffles, or plain leggings all with this one pattern.  They are perfect for pairing with your Coral Top, Easy Peasy Peasant, Butterfly Baby Top, Big Bow Top, Pat-A-Cake Dress, Fair and Square Top...the list could go on....

Take a look at the beautiful border print on my Fair and Square top!  I had the privilege of using another beautiful fabric from Vandana of The Delhi Store. I fell in love with this border print when I first saw in in Vandana's shop and love it even more now that I have finished my top using it.  It is light and airy, perfect for summer!  The vivid red and pink flowers are so bright and cheery on the white background!  This fabric is very lightweight, giving the top beautiful drape.  My Fair and Square skirt is a little sheer.  If being sewn for an older girl or adult I might have lined the skirt, but it was not necessary for a young girl.

Be sure to read the A Year of Dresses post featuring the Belle Peasant Dress to see more beautiful fabrics from The Delhi Store.  When looking at Vandana's shop, remember that you can save 15% off your total purchase by using the coupon code TIEDYEDIVA15 at the checkout.  I was just browsing the store again and saw many new and beautiful prints!

To make my Fair and Square top with a border print I simply added 2.5" to the length of the top panel and hemmed with a narrow hem instead of adding the hem band.  Remember that when using border prints you have to cut on the lengthwise grain instead of the crosswise grain.  Because of the sheerness of this beautiful fabric I added a lightweight interfacing to the main fabric on the yolk for stability and to prevent seeing the seems through the fabric.  Instead of a button on the back I used a KAM Snap.  I love how quick and easy they are!

This outfit is even more adorable all together than I pictured in my head.  I used a narrow white rolled hem on the ruffles of my Sterling leggings to pull the outfit together.

I love outfits that are adorable, yet easy for play, and this one definitely wins!  I really can't express enough just how much I love the outcome.  I had a vision for this top: simple, understated beauty.  Because of that I decided to leave the flower embellishment off the bodice.  I think it worked beautifully.

Speaking of great for playing: Sweet Pea had a great time cooking up a storm in this outfit.  One day I'll have to teach her about aprons!

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Here's your weekly pattern rundown: 

• Baby sizes 0-24 months
• Girls sizes 2-8
• Advanced beginner sewing level
• Traditional back button bodice or no buttonhole loop option included
• Top and dress length both included

• Extended sizes includes 12 months through girls 9/10 in one pattern
• Ruffled shorties, single or double ruffled leggings, and plain leggings options included
• Knit guide included for those new to sewing knits
• No serger necessary!

Fabric for my Fair and Square top was generously provided to me by The Delhi Store, but all opinions are my own.