Little Smock for Busy Girl of Three

Pattern : Little Smock for Our Busy Girl of Three
Book: Enid Gilchrist Three to Six - Clothes for Boys and Girls
Fabric: Clear plastic, cotton broadcloth, quilting cotton
Size: Three to Four years

A very easy smock to whip up which is nice and long to protect the children's clothes. I made this for a customer who needed a long sleeved smock but with a easy-to-wipe plastic front. I left out the gorgeous detailing that is supposed to be on this smock due to the plastic being there. I also left off the collar and bound both neck and hem with bias.

Shift, 2-5 years

I made this shift for the 2 year old daughter of a friend. It looks huge now but should last her a long time! It looks better in real life - not a very good photo.

The buttons are from my grandmother's collection - they are old old old.

Pattern: Shift

Book: Play Clothes, page 17

Size: 2-5 yrs

Fabric: Cotton print

Baby Sunsuit 2

I did make a second one. This one fits perfectly with room on the strap to move the button next summer. I remembered to put the seam allowance in this time. No chance to take an action shot sorry!

Pattern: Baby's Sunsuit

Book: Play Clothes

Size: 9-18 mths

Fabric: Poly/cotton animal print

Baby's Sunsuit

Hi. My name is Vicki and I live in Perth. My boy has grown out of the mountains of tiny baby stuff we were given, so I finally have the opportunity to use my Enid pattern books!

This is my third Enid pattern, but the only one I've got around to photographing. I chose this pattern as my 8 month old has worked out how to take his cloth nappies off, so just wearing a nappy on super hot days isn't an option. It was so quick to make - took me one evening to draft and mostly finish.

I messed up by not

adding seam and hem allowances. The previous two pattern I've made were virtually seamless and had bound hems so I didn't need to. It fits fine now, but there's not much room for growth. I'm not too bothered though, being so quick to make I can easily run up another!

Pattern: Baby's Sunsuit

Book: Play Clothes

Size: 9-18 mths

Fabric: Blue gingham and a quilting fat quarter

My first Enid ...

I thought it about time I introduced myself. My name is Carol and I live near Byron Bay. I joined this blog some months ago with the intention of showing my Enid Gilchrist handiwork. I made this dress in August and am only just now getting around to posting it.

The dress came from this book, which I bought at an op shop in Mullumbimby for 20c last year. I've also drafted a jacket, a long coat and two dresses from the same book, which I will make in the coming weeks.

I'm so thrilled with this book and I hope to find more. This must have been a godsend to women in the 60's. There is almost every style of garment a girl could want in this book. Thanks for allowing me to join in.

Cool Dress

Here is my second Enid Gilchrist creation - the "Cool Dress" from the 'Play Clothes' (pink cover) publication. I'm a little surprised that so much time has past since my first go at drafting and sewing one of Enid's fine designs. As with my first Enid, a Matinee Jacket, the actual sewing of the garment was relatively easy. I have however not followed Enid's pattern exactly. This garment was my first ever attempt at doing gathering. When I spotted the material that I liked for the bottom of the dress I didn't know exactly how much material I needed so I guessed - thinking that I had overestimated. When I drafted the pattern I kept thinking that I had done something wrong - the size of the skirting looked like it was almost big enough for me to wear. When it came to cutting the material I realised that I didn't have enough material so I reduced the width of the skirt - there was so much material there already how could it be a problem? So, this little frock isn't as full as it should be and sits perhaps a little bit "puffier" as a result.

The yoke, made from vintage material, is lined with the same. The pattern calls for bias under the arm pits. It took a few cups of tea umming and arrhing to decide if I should make the bias in the contrasting vintage material or not. In the end I thought the contrast would make a sweet effect - what do you think?

Pattern: Cool Dress
Book: Play Clothes (p16)
Size: 9-18months
Fabrics: cottons

Matinee Jacket

This is my first ever Enid creation - the Matinee Jacket from Clothes For Your Children (p20).


The size is described as "infant". Perhaps I was too generous with my seam allowances but this jacket would certainly be too large for the average newborn - it fits my seven & half month daughter beautifully.

Pattern: Matinee Jacket

Book: Clothes for your Children (p20)

Size: infant

Fabric: tracksuit fleece