Vintage Butterick Pattern Baby Girl Dress
About a year ago, I received 8 large boxes of vintage patterns (some of them as old as the 30's!) from Freecycle. There are many patterns I've wanted to try, and many of them are baby patterns, even though I don't have a baby anymore. I decided that since there is a Retro consignment shop in my area, I'll make some of the vintage patterns and try to sell them there. (I have sold some of my aprons there before).
This pattern was really cute. It is sized 1 (breast 20 inches). The one I chose was "C":
And here's the dress. Front:
Back:
I was planning to put the apron I made last week on Etsy, but after looking at some other Etsy products, I am not sure whether I should or not. I am not really an expert. I am still just learning and probably make a lot of amateur mistakes. I feel like there might be some customers who would buy it and then be disappointed that it wasn't expertly done... I know there are many people who can sew much better than me, who have a lot more experience...a lot of them also have sergers. (I would love a serger but just can't afford one right now). At least at the consignment shop, the customer can take a thorough look at the product and decide whether it's what they are looking for before purchasing. That's kind of what I've been running through my head the last week or so. Am I overthinking this?
This pattern was really cute. It is sized 1 (breast 20 inches). The one I chose was "C":
And here's the dress. Front:
Back:
I was planning to put the apron I made last week on Etsy, but after looking at some other Etsy products, I am not sure whether I should or not. I am not really an expert. I am still just learning and probably make a lot of amateur mistakes. I feel like there might be some customers who would buy it and then be disappointed that it wasn't expertly done... I know there are many people who can sew much better than me, who have a lot more experience...a lot of them also have sergers. (I would love a serger but just can't afford one right now). At least at the consignment shop, the customer can take a thorough look at the product and decide whether it's what they are looking for before purchasing. That's kind of what I've been running through my head the last week or so. Am I overthinking this?
Bethany, I love the dress! I would love to buy one from you. Email me!
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I LOVE the dress! I had some patterns like that from my grandmother...but they were stolen...you have some treasures! And as one overthinker to another? The only way I can make up my mind is to decide..."is it going to keep me up at night worrying about it"? If the answer is yes, I don't do it..but, you can also list it and say "I have just learned to sew and am loving it! That way, they know....but I have to say, everything that I see? I love!!! And I am also thinking like Lauren....I have a little granddaughter, and I would love one...can you do a 2T? Whip me up a price! You can practice on me!
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Well, I don't know about selling on etsy or not, but my two year old sister seemed to like it!
I am just learning how to sew and havn't learned how to sew dresses yet. The machine I own was one given to me by my grandmother. It is and old singer and it is heavy! I think they where made better back then. The singers at the store now don't weigh much. Keep up the sewing!
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A friend of mine keeps trying to convince me to open an etsy shop, but I have the same reservations you do. I see what's out there and I am positive that mine is not going to be good enough. I'm still thinking about opening one after Christmas, just to see what happens, but I understand your concerns!
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Thank you so much for all the encouragement and suggestions! I really appreciate it. Lauren and Jan, I have sent you both emails. You are too nice!
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aDORABLE~
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Bethany,
I had this same pattern (I think) for a number of years. My mother kept it from when I was a little girl (in the late 60's) and gave it to me when we started having children. After having three boys we gave away all the little girl patterns!! However, the dress you made is absolutely adorable! If I had any girls I would love to get one for her!!
Could you send me some info on having an etsy "store"? I've tried to check it out on-line but am at a loss. Craft shows don't do well in our area and I thought it would be nice to have some place to sell some of the things I make on occasion, beaded votive candleholders, hand crafted stationary sets (nothing overly elaborate), scented trivets/pot holders, and bath stuff (salts, soaks, occasional soaps.) I thought I would ask you since you are so talented!!
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Peggy, I sent you an email!
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Bethany, my suggestion would be if you really want a serger put up some ads. Some ladies buy new ones all the time because they want fancier stuff. I got a nice used one this summer for $40. It was at a yard sale. The lady had 2 of them. They had belonged to her aunt and her aunt had passed away. This gal didn't sew and didn't want to learn. So she was selling them. And this was the last day of the sale and they had not sold. So put up some ads. Try your freecycle and craigslist even. Just keep trying. They are out there and they need homes. And the more you sew the better you will feel about it. I used to have a sewing machine repair shop. So that is also a place to try. When someone wants a different one they bring in there old ones. Or they bring in there broken ones and get a new one as they don't want to wait to get the older one fixed so they buy a new one. The shop fixes the old one and then sells it. If they don't have any right now have them take your phone number.
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Carol, thank you SO much for the suggestions. I am going to try all of those options. Maybe I'll be lucky and find one at a yard sale like you did!
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