Braided Collar Nautical Dress

This week I needed a quick birthday gift idea for a little lady turning one this weekend, and of course I always feel like I have to make something.  So I started digging through my fabric and to be recycled clothes stash until I found a an blue and white striped shirt I had thrifted a few months ago.  I had bought it thinking I might wear it myself ( I have a thing for stripes), but it was unfortunately too short.  I always have that problem.  I often wonder if I may one of those rare people with an extra vertebra that makes my torso sooo much longer than everyone else.

Anyhoo, I decided I would try to do something with that top, and try to give it a nautical feel since the birthday girl and her parents are going on a cruise soon.  I had found a great fabric.  Now I needed a great design.   I ransacked my pattern stash and found nothing that fit the occasion, or the time I had to spend on this project.  So where did I turn for my inspiration?  Pinterest, of course!  I searched a few different ideas until I came across this dress tutorial by make it and love it.
 

 
 Cute, right?  The really great part is that I didn't even need a pattern.  I just cut the shape I wanted, added a few pockets and some little gold anchor buttons and voila!

A quick, easy, yet handmade birthday present!  Hope she loves it.  Miss K thought it was for her and wanted to keep it.  I guess I will have to hit up the thrift store again!