handcrafted | mother + daughter 60s floral sundresses

Matching mother and daughter styles is one of the many things I looked forward to while I was pregnant with Miss A. We don't often fully match, but more likely are in harmony somehow (similar colors, both wearing striped shirts or saddle shoes). The decision isn't always conscious--it's a happy mistake! So going all-out for Easter and making dresses in the same fabric was a lot of fun and a fulfillment of a little dream. I'm sure in 12 years she'll roll her eyes at these photos, but for now she's more than happy to go along with just about anything.

pattern cover illustration source.
Both were made using a vintage sheet in my stash. I love the exuberant colors and slightly abstract floral. For my dress I used a vintage McCalls pattern from the early 1960s, changing the back neckline to a deeper scoop. I love this style of dress; realizing this year when I unpacked my spring clothes that I owned quite a few in similar silhouettes (most self-made too). Miss A.'s dress didn't utilize a specific pattern--I just used a bodice tracing from a dress in her wardrobe as a starting point. (Children's clothes are incredibly simple!)

We didn't get these pictures until well after Easter--she got chocolate smeared down the front of her dress pretty quickly the first time she wore it. Thank goodness for stain remover! I decided to be a bit hokey and do the matchy thing again when my mom and sister took us out for my birthday. We got these pictures before Miss A. had a chance to get into any food!

The lovely location we took these at is the Aylesbury Tea Room in northern Virginia. If you ever get a chance to stop there, do! It's a fantastic spot for afternoon tea and the owners were very accommodating to the stroller we had with us for Miss A.

Comments

  1. Aawww matching is super cute! My daughter is 5 and we do end up accidentally matching quite often!

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  2. These dresses are quite lovely, I really like the print/color scheme of the fabric. Miss A is so big! (and entirely adorable.) Normally I don't really go for 60's styles, but I actually like this design. It's close enough to the 50's that it hasn't lost the fuller skirt, which is my favorite part about that era!

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  3. Beautiful dresses! I grew up in NOVA, small world!

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  4. I'm not a fan of mother-and-daughter matching outfits but you both look really cute and this floral print is lovely! Also, I'm jealous of Miss A's headband ;)

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  5. So cute. Not a fan of the matching thing myself, but these photos are adorable!

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  6. Oh, you guys look lovely! It'd be so cool if you and Miss A ended up partnering as she grew up. That'd be so cute. Love the pics!

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  7. So perfect! That sheet was a real score with that adorable print. I've always wanted to find a vintage sheet from which I could construct myself a dress (so much fabric!) but I've never really scored anything amazing, except for one occasion at a garage sale; but that dress didn't turn out that amazing in the end lol ;) I'm always on the look-out though!

    I love it when you two match! Too adorable :)

    -Charlotte
    boyerfamilysingers.blogspot.com

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  8. Love it! Ever since my daughter was born (I was expecting a boy the whole time), I've wanted to make matching mother daughter outfits. My grandma used to sew them for herself and my mother - I love looking at those family pictures. You both look so beautiful in these pictures.

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  9. Those are so cute! I find that frequently even at 26 my mom and I accidentally wear coordinating outfits a lot of the time. It's pretty entertaining. Your hair looks great, btw!

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  10. I love both dresses, even moreso because you made them using a vintage sheet!

    You still have quite a while to enjoy matching with your little one! Miss C. is almost 7 and she still loves to match with her toddler sister. Aaaaand... she discovered last week that I'm making a skirt for myself and immediately begged me to make a matching one for her. I'm enjoying it while it lasts!

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  11. I love it! So good to have you back!!! I adore vintage, and you do it so well. Your daughter is absolutely adorable and the dresses are FAB!!! I'm now eyeing my vintage sheets...

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  12. So cute! I absolutely love the matching thing. Why not match? It's silly and fun, and I always smile when I see matching out there in the world :)

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  13. I love this! I'm so glad you're back! I only discovered your blog a few months ago, when you weren't posting, and had been waiting excitedly for a new post to read. Keep up the great work! :D

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  14. These dresses are so completely cute! I dream of playing dress-up with my future children just like this! I love it.

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  15. This is just adorable. Hooray for matching outfits!

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  16. Welcome back Casey! You were very much missed.

    These are such sweet dresses- my mom used to sew matchy-matchy outfits for my sister and I a lot. It's fun to look back on them, but yeah when we were in our teens there was much eye-rolling. heh

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  17. Those dresses are just so cute! The floral is so bright and springy.

    Brigid
    the Middle Sister and Singer

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  18. So cute. And I call my daughter Miss A too - have since she was born!

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  19. Such an adorable mumm daughter pair, lovely frocks too!

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  20. Lovely! I dressed my daughter in homemade and vintage and now, at 16, she has her own vision but sews up a storm and certainly isn't a slave to the mall. Early conditioning lasts!

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  21. I'm so glad you are back to blogging Casey, and look forward to your new posts!
    These dresses are so cute! I remember wanting to match my mom as kid in the 90s...I think mostly because my mother loved Laura Ashley, and they had an adorable mother-daughter range. :)
    -Lauren <3

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  22. Hi Casey, nice to "see" you again! I was totally inspired by your dress to make my own! I made it from a thrifted pair of curtains I've had in my stash for ages: http://meandgaladriel.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/two-dresses-frog-and-fish.html
    --Galadriel

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  23. The dresses are so perfect for spring. Very cute. I think it is cute that you are matching. My daughter and pre-teen granddaughter are sharing clothes now :) Liv loves to raid her mom's stash of jackets and tops.

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  24. Aww, you both look so terrifically cute and seasonally perfect. Should I ever be blessed to have a daughter of my own, I will most definitely be following your lead here, as I've long adored matching mommy and child fashions.

    ♥ Jessica

    *PS* Your hair has such incredible, gorgeous volume here!

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  25. You are so gifted! I love these! If I could sew better and if I had a daughter, I too would love to do this though I am sure some people think it is strange, but it truly shows the deep love you have for her!
    +Victoria+

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