Citrus Sunrise Skirt + Top

Citrus Sunrise skirt and top using Fiesta Fun Fabrics by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics

This might be my favorite thing I’ve ever sewn.
EVER.
I know. That’s a lofty statement.
But you know when you have something in your mind, that you think is going to work, but you’re not really sure that it will…and then it turns out just as you had hoped???
That my friends is this little citrus outfit.

Fiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print

I started with the Citrus Sunrise fabric from my Fiesta Fun fabric collection….which might also be my favorite print in the mix.  This outfit was destined for my love.
(read more about my inspiration for this print here.)

Then I used the Anywhere Skirt Pattern and the First Day Dress Pattern to create one look.   And I love it.  It fits her so well and …it just makes me happy.  I might try this in my size too.

Citrus Sunrise skirt and top using Fiesta Fun Fabrics by Dana Willard for Art Gallery FabricsFiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print | First Day Dress top and Anywhere Skirt

I made a few tweaks to each pattern, which means you’ll be getting tutorials in the near future!  I’ve already started one for the skirt placket.  And when that’s done, I’ll start a tutorial for this top.

In the mean time, here are the basics:
• I really wanted the shirt to be a crop top, so that the chunkiness of the skirt waistband would show (without showing her tummy).   So I used the A-Line Top from the pattern, and chopped many inches off.  It seemed extreme, but I was amazed at how short it needed to be!  And what I did not realize at first, is that the front needed to be longer than the back.  Haah. Guess I hadn’t accounted for little baby belly.  Making it an extra inch longer in the FRONT helped it looked even all the way around, when worn.

• Then, rather than cutting a slit in the back neckline, I made the back into two separate pieces—adding an inch or so of extra fabric for an overlapping placket.  Cause really, I just wanted to use those chunky wooden buttons.  I think the bright colors of this collection go so well with neutrals and wooden accents.

Fiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print | First Day Dress topCitrus Sunrise skirt and top using Fiesta Fun fabrics by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics

For the Skirt:
I added a new design twist to the Anywhere Skirt—a small back placket!  This is a game changer.   And I did the same thing on my yellow gingham skirt from our Christmas cards too.   Since I had done a long line of buttons on the shirt, it felt excessive to have tons of buttons on the skirt as well.  So this was the perfect way to create a full gathered look, without a placket in the front.

Fiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print | First Day Dress top and Anywhere Skirt

In fact—speaking of full—I used fabric FOUR times her waist size, which is my favorite way to do it these days.  It’s more layers to sew through (especially since I added a lining layer) but it gets a great gathered look.

Citrus Sunrise Skirt and Top in Fiesta Fun fabrics by Dana Willard for Art Gallery FabricsFiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print | First Day Dress top and Anywhere Skirt

Of course my favorite part of sewing, is that I get to take pics of everything afterward.
Honestly, I sew so I can photograph.
And get beautiful faces like these:

Fiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print | First Day Dress top and Anywhere Skirt

Clara is such a stinking goofball.  I mean, even when I tell her to look straight, she gives me the side eyeball.  Clara!   But then we also capture moments like this:

Fiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print | First Day Dress top and Anywhere Skirt

Love that little girl.
AND…(this is becoming long)….I love seeing what you guys are making and sharing too!

LOOK at this photo.  Ahhh!  That baby!  That romper!
(photo by Jeremagz; romper by  Hello Ollie Shop)Fiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print

And this women’s look from the Fiesta Fun look book (by Art Gallery Fabrics): Fiesta Fun fabric collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics | Citrus Sunrise print

So much citrus love.
I’m gonna go eat an orange.

If you have things to share, tag them to #fiestafunfabrics and #citrussunrisefabric
Have a great weekend my friends!

  1. 1) Michelly Seidel

    She looks like a mini Lucy!!!

  2. 2) Susan Terrill

    I love all of it. Will you have downloadable patterns available or just the tutorials?

    susan

    • 3) Dana

      Hi Susan,
      Thanks!
      I will be sharing tutorials on the blog when they’re ready:
      * how to adapt the Shirt/Top with buttons down the back
      * how to add the back button placket on the skirt

      The two patterns this outfit was based on are currently available in my shop:
      http://www.madeeveryday.com/shop/

      The Anywhere Skirt
      The First Day Dress

  3. 4) Penny

    I can hardly stand how cute this is!! I LOVE IT!!! Can’t wait to make it for my granddaughter. So psyched to await the tweaked pattern tutorials! You continue to rock, Dana! I heart this outfit!!

    • 5) Dana

      Haha. Thanks Penny!! You always have such fun and encouraging things to say. I love it 🙂

  4. 6) Kitty

    Dana, this is pure perfection! These patterns and this fabric: a match made in heaven. I can imagine you’re só happy with the result! And let’s not forget the beauty who is modelling it, sweet and cute little Clara and the excellent photograph who took these great pictures.

    • 7) Dana

      Awww thank you Kitty! Clara is definitely a fun personality to photograph 🙂

  5. 8) Patricia Campbell

    I actually made a two piece outfit very much like this for myself wayyyyy back in my junior or senior year of high school! The fabric was in the bottom of my Momma’s stash box and I begged her to let me use it for an outfit! It was turquoise with enormous multi-colored polka-dots! Oh how I loved that outfit!!

    • 9) Dana

      No way!! That is so awesome! I wish you still had it!
      I had a very high waisted skirt in black/white gingham and a matching crop like this in middle school…and lovvvvvved wearing it too. I guess that was in the back of my head with this outfit as well 🙂

    • 10) ArI

      That is so so so cute!

  6. 11) Dara harper

    SEW CUTE! Thank you for sharing !

  7. 12) Stacey

    Wow! Love that last picture of Clara. So beautiful!

  8. 13) Torrie

    So cute! I love those buttons down the back.

  9. 14) Robyn

    Great adaptations! Nothing like a twirly skirt whether it’s summer or winter :).

  10. 15) Lis

    Absolutely precious outfit and design! Beautiful detailing!

  11. 16) ArI

    This is such a cute set 😮

  12. 17) Ita sew

    Very nice dress…i love it Dana…how to get the pattern for this dress?
    I love watching your video on u tube…fun sewing with u…

  13. 19) Corie

    Darn!! This is so sweet and adorable…I will have to wait until you post these tutorials…these are so lovely for the spring and summer…I want to get started now but I think I will need your directions to do a good job! Love your designs!

  14. 20) Dana

    Aww. Thank you Corie!
    I’ll keep plugging away at the tutorials. Everything always takes longer than I think it’s going to 🙂

  15. 21) Sarah

    I love love LOVE this outfit hope to be able to find the time to make it for my girls!

    Just letting you know that the link at the top of your homepage that shows a picture of this post and should bring you to this page sends you instead to the wheat grass post – which is also awesome, just different 😉

    Thanks for a great blog!

Leave a Comment