Little Lizard King- The Merry and The Mod Dresses go Zebra-licious!

Little Lizard King The Merry and the Mod Dresses

If you are active in the PDF sewing world, you have already seen the two new gorgeous releases for Little Lizard King. If not, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Little Lizard King's Merry and Mod PDF sewing patterns!

When I first sat down to start sewing these patterns, I looked through my stash of fabric. Ever since Lil' Miss started Kindergarten in the fall, we've accumulated quite a collection of zebra print/zebra character fabrics (her class mascot is the zebra). So, I decided to take the Merry and the Mod for  a walk on the wild side- Zebra style! ;-) Here goes!

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The Merry Dress

Little Lizard King- The Merry Dress

First up, here is The Merry Dress! The Merry Dress, "...features a front boat neck bodice, full pleated skirt and a scoop back bodice with button closure. Various sleeve length options included." 

-The Merry Dress is drafted for girl's sizes 12m-12y. 

-The Merry Dress includes four sleeve lengths- cap, short, 3/4 and long sleeves.

-The Merry Dress PDF sewing pattern includes a detailed description/instructions on how to pleat (really handy!).

-The Merry Dress PDF sewing pattern is a layered pattern- meaning, only print the size that you need! (love that!)

-The Merry Dress tutorial includes a fabric requirement chart, a sizing chart, a print layout diagram and a skirt cutting chart.

-The Merry Dress tutorial features step-by-step photographs.

Little Lizard King- The Merry Dress- Back detail

I sewed up a straight size six, 3/4 length sleeves Merry Dress. There is a finished measurements chart included in the pattern and this is really handy in figuring out what size to print for your little model. I especially appreciated the fact that the sizing chart included a finished arm length (very handy!). All cotton woven fabrics were bought locally at Hobby Lobby (forever ago!). Look at those cute zebras on the skirt fabric!

I made two significant modifications to my version of the Merry Dress. They are as follows:

Little Lizard King- The Merry Dress- Front

-After reading some comments in the LLK Cafe Facebook Group (some members were asking how the Merry Dress would look with a gathered skirt), I decided to gather the skirt (opposed to pleating). One of the main features of the Merry dress is its pretty pleated skirt. By choosing to gather the skirt, I am deviating from the original design intent. However, I wanted to show just how pretty the Merry Dress would look any way you chose to sew it up! :-) **I cut the the skirt pieces according the pattern for size six. Then, instead of pleating, I just ran a gathering stitch along the top. This created a nice, full skirt!** I also added a row of small ric-rack to where the bodice and skirt meet- such a sweet detail!

Little Lizard King- The Merry Dress- 3/4 sleeve/Button Tab Detail

-Also, I chose to do contrast button tabs at the sleeves. I found the most adorable zebra buttons at Hancock Fabrics and I knew I just HAD to incorporate them into the Merry Dress! **In order to create the button tabs, I cut a 4"w x 6"l piece of fabric for each sleeve. Then, I folded it in on itself until I ended up with a piece of fabric measuring 1"w x 6"l. I top stitched around three sides of the tab and serged the fourth (short) edge. I made a button hole 1/2" down from the top stitched (short) edge. To attach the tab to the sleeve, I found it easier to attach when the sleeve was flat. I found the center of the sleeve and measured 5" up from the hem. I attached the serged edge to the inside/wrong side of the sleeve and then looped the tab to the front of the sleeve. The button hole should be on the front side of the sleeve.**

Little Lizard King- The Merry Dress- Front Neckline Detail

I just love the way the Merry dress sewed up! I appreciate the attention to detail on this pattern- from it's slightly gathered sleeves to it's single button enclosure and scoop neck in the back- LOVE! Before sewing up the Merry dress, I was concerned that the boat neck would be too wide and fall off Lil' Miss' shoulders. However, there is just enough scoop to be dramatic, yet not so much that it will cause a wardrobe malfunction. In other words, it's JUST RIGHT! *Note, be sure to follow the patterns sizing chart to get the right fit for your model. No two bodies are the same and it's perfectly acceptable- and even encouraged- to mash sizes in order to get the correct fit.*

Little Lizard King- The Merry Dress- Back Boat Neckline Detail

Little Lizard King- The Merry Dress- Back Detail

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The Mod Dress

Little Lizard King- The Mod Dress

Next up, the Mod Dress!! The Mod Dress is, "...A slim A-line, vintage length dress featuring angel wing style sleeves. Various sleeve length options included as well as the option of a button-down back closure or single button closure."
-The Mod Dress is drafted for sizes 12m-12y.
-The Mod Dress includes pattern pieces for dramatic angel wing sleeves or, regular sleeves- cap, short, 3/4 or long sleeves.
-The Mod Dress PDF sewing pattern is a layered pattern- meaning, only print the size that you need! (love that!)

-The Mod Dress tutorial includes a fabric requirement chart, a sizing chart, and a print layout diagram.

-The Mod Dress tutorial features step-by-step photographs.

I sewed up a straight size six, 3/4 length regular sleeve Mod Dress in KNIT. The zebra print ponte knit fabric was purchased locally at Hancock Fabrics (regular readers of All Things Katy! might remember that I recently sewed myself up a dress in the same fabric! Now, we are twinsies!;-). Because I used knit fabric, I eliminated the need for button holes- yay! The slight stretch in the knit allows the dress to be taken on/off by slipping it over the head.

Little Lizard King- The Mod Dress- Neckline Detail

Sewing the Mod Dress in all knit made it so quick and easy to sew! So, so, SEW fast!! I think I sewed the Mod up in less than an hour on my serger! Whew! The a-line profile is flattering on most body shapes and uses minimal fabric (when doing the regular sleeve option- the angel sleeves will definitely take more fabric). Love, love, love a quick, easy and flattering sew!! Zebra-licious!

Big, Squishy Heart LOVE (!!)

 Little Lizard King The Mod Dress

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So, whether you choose to sew up Little Lizard King's the Merry or the Mod dress (or, both!), you won't be disappointed! 

Thank you, Cassie, for sharing your talent and expertise with the sewing world with two great new patterns, the Merry and the Mod PDF sewing patterns! I had sew much fun!

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern for Little Lizard King. The opinions expressed here are my own."***