Today I’m participating in Emily from Nap Time Creations’ series Sew Many Books where we are creating looks inspired by our favorite children’s stories.
One of our girls’ very favorite books is Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell because of the crazy antics in the story.  I love it as well for it’s message and spunky little Molly Lou Melon.
When I decided to use this book as inspiration, I knew in a heartbeat that the Charlie Dress by Mingo & Grace was the perfect pattern to use for it! Â The nice folks at Riley Blake supplied these great lime green fabrics for this post, and man! were there plenty from which to choose.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon is about a little girl who is the shortest in the first grade, has buck teeth, a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor, and was often fumble fingered. Â But she also had a wonderful grandma who offered words of wisdom to help Molly Lou overcome her challenges.
“Walk as proudly as you can and the world will look up to you.”
“Smile big and the world will smile right alongside you.”
“Sing out clear and strong and the world will cry tears of joy.”
“Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you too.”
A fun detail from the book is that Molly Lou could stack pennies ten tall on her buck teeth. Â To represent this, I used a copper button with an eagle I thought resembled a coin.
In the end Molly Lou wins over the class bully, Ronald Durkin who had been teasing and calling her names by being herself and going about her business with confidence and panache.
Great book….great outfit!! I read this to my 1st graders every year at the beginning of school :)….
that is the perfect dress for a spunky girl to play in! I love it! thanks for sharing…
Darling. She looks like she loves it.
I agree!
So sweet, Jenn! I love the dress and the inspiration!
YOUR “INSPIRATION” CERTAINLY PAID OFF by sewing a DARLING dress for your girl . . . the inspiration from the book, STAND TALL, Molly Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell. LOVE your choice of fabrics & colors: tiny white polka dots on a background of lime for the A-line sleeveless dress and a wide ruffle at the bottom of large lacy white on lime background. P-E-R-F-E-C-T simple dress sewn from the Charlie Dress pattern. SPOT ON, for sure! “Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you too.” THANKS for sharing. Sarah in Minneapolis
I so want to get that book for my granddaughters…thanks for the tip & a cute dress, the button is perfect for it’s symbolism to the story.