Little gingham dress done but not done

I finished sewing the gingham dress on Sunday but I as most know can not leave something plain Jane or the way a pattern tells me to do.  I have to add something to make it a little more special or a little more me.

 

I was given some Irish crochet lace (2 small pieces) and some very wide crochet lace by my Vavo a few years back it was a gift to her from our family friend Dorthy Avila. I have been saving both pieces of lace for a special occasion as they are over 100 years old and I wanted to do them justice.  I have decided to use them on here plus some tatting I did too made from antique thread.  I do not have all the laces sewn on as of yet so I will save that for another post.

I did want to let you know how the dress came out on its own as pictured in the pattern.  I must say the sleeves were the most confusing part of the pattern.  If I ever make this pattern again I have reworked the sleeves in my head to a way that will be easier and faster and not so difficult.  It almost seams like the person who made the pattern wanted it to be hard to do the sleeves and make them look well.  I also added seam binding to the hem the pattern had you just roll the hem.  I think this will look better especially once all the antique handmade laces are added to the dress.
I also sewed on the button with pink embroidery thread and bullion knots just for a small surprise of color.  Sorry for the lack of ironing before I took the photos.  I think this would be the perfect St. Patrick's day dress especially after I get done with the lace.  Can I possibly hope for a little red headed granddaughter someday to just make it perfect.  Probably not since redheads do not run in my family  but my husband has one sort of redheaded brother so just maybe the girls have that gene in them somewhere.