Week 2 Project Run and Play - Leila and Ben Challenge

 The Sweet Ruffle Play Coat

 It's that time again - time to vote for your favorite look for Week 2 of Project Run and Play!

For this weeks challenge each of the designers were given the basic Leila and Ben "Sweet Dress" pattern and were told to make it our own.  This pattern is a basic peasant style dress and is incredibly versatile (see picture below).  

It has been mighty cold here in Chicagoland, so I wanted to create something for my daughter to wear right now. You all know how much I LOVE dresses, but I decided to do something a little more unexpected and turned this pattern into what I like to call the "Sweet Ruffle Play Coat".  Perfect for the transition from winter into spring! 

I have had this fabric for over two years and was just waiting for the right project to come along.  The fabric is thick, woven, and incredibly warm.  The pink, purple and white were just the right colors for my little Savannah.

I altered the sweet dress pattern quite a bit to make this coat.  I cut the pattern down the front, center leaving an additional half inch seam allowance on each side.  Then I drafted my own pattern piece for the large collar around the neck.  Instead of gathering the neckline with elastic, I used a coordinating pink and purple grosgrain ribbon that I threaded through the casing and tied in a bow in the front.  I added pink, corded piping into the collar to make it stand up a little bit and to add a bit of whimsy.  

I also added a pocket detail on the front.  I used the corded piping, grosgrain ribbon and three pink buttons to make the pocket pop.  I love how the piping stands out next to the ribbon!

I drafted a separate pattern piece for the long, wide sleeves and added an extra detail on the sleeves with the addition of the ribbon and button.  I took the length of the pattern up about four inches to make it a more appropriate coat length.

This coat would be perfect for Easter worn over a dress or works as a casual look paired with skinny jeans, a t-shirt, and black ballet flats.  However, it ends up being worn, your little lady will feel like a true princess!!

So, now it's time for you to head over to Project Run and Play and vote for your favorite look!

Click HERE to visit Project Run and Play!  Voting will be open this weekend and through Monday at midnight (which is a change from last weekend).

PS:  Thank you to everyone who voted last week!!! We didn't win, but it was very close and we came in second place.  I will be offering the pattern for this coat over on Project Run and Play should we win this week!!