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This Dad Sews Custom Clothes For His 9-Year-Old Daughter, And Here Are 30 Of The Coolest Ones
Michael Gardner is a 36-year-old father who's discovered his biggest passion—sewing clothes—by looking for a way to make his daughter feel happier and more confident. Michael started teaching himself to sew back in 2014 as a way to bond with his daughter Ava who, at the time, was only 3 years old. He began making custom designs for Ava by refashioning thrifted women's clothing which later lead him to starting an Instagram account and a blog called Daddy Dressed Me.
"My mission is to help Ava build her self-esteem and establish confidence in herself and her abilities. I sew the clothes and Ava models," Michael explains on his blog. "I learned through trial and error, watched tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest and just started creating." The man has already created over 200 unique-looking outfits for his daughter, which he's been regularly posting on Instagram. The duo's Instagram profile currently has almost 21k followers.
Without further ado, Bored Panda invites you to scroll down and look through the list featuring some of our favorite outfits that Michael has designed for his lovely daughter Ava. As always, make sure to vote for your favorite ones!
More info: Instagram | Facebook | daddydressedmebymg.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
It is so nice to see a little one in bright colors instead of the insipid pastels that so many parents insist on.
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
It’s not so much that the parents insist on them, it’s just what’s available. When my sister-in-law was pregnant I knitted the baby a sweater that in the pattern book was shown as half pink and half blue divided on the front by a diagonal of little white hearts. The pattern was so adorable but the colors were too insipid, so I made the diagonals white and black, and the hearts were red. It was stunning , if I do say so myself.
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#3
Estelle Young 4 years ago
Oh my god! You were the first comment and I thought it said something else besides lucky!!!!
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"I have been creative since I was a kid and have utilized my talents to express myself in so many outlets. I've tried my hand at writing, poetry, room renovations, upcycling furniture, painting, party planning, photography and cooking. When I discovered sewing, the experience gave me a feeling I had not accomplished with any other craft," Michael writes on his blog.
#4
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
She looks so happy! And woe is me to anyone doing any fashion bashing, because the best comeback is, well, my daddy loves me so much, he makes clothes for me! What does your daddy do for you?
#5
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
Love, love this one! All the bright colors! Right up my fun fashion tree!
#6
"I appreciate the ability to create a garment that began as an idea in my thoughts and seeing the piece walk the streets either on myself or Ava is an amazing feeling. Being a Father is my most important responsibility and what I am most proud of in life. It is a blessing to be able to combine my journey of fatherhood with my love of creativity while creating memories with my child," the dad explains on his blog.
#7
Beth Ericson 4 years ago
Great outfits! The dad has such a good eye for playing with stripes (one of my favorites) in a chic, original way. Kudos, you amazing father and beautiful, proud daughter.
#8
Chaya Herrebrugh-Wachtmeester 4 years ago
4 Different fabrics, 1 part each for the trousers, maybe a 5th part for the band of the trousers, 1 part each for the top, sew together and voilà 2 pieces of clothing.
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Lindsay Smith 4 years ago
Turning pain into something helpful and creative is a great way to take control and break the cycle,
neonn_pieee 4 years ago
Huh? Who's in pain? And what cycle needs to be broken? I'm confused by your comment haha.
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#9
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
One day, when he makes her wedding dress, that will be such an amazing and happy day!
Turns out, Michael's desire to be an active parent in Ava's life was inspired by his own childhood experiences. "I wanted to make sure she felt confident, that she loved herself, and that she could believe in her abilities, which are all the things I struggled with as a kid," Gardner told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"I would be physically standing in front of him [my dad] saying ‘hi’ and he’d ignore me. He would cross the street to go up the block and avoid me," Michael explained to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
#10
Lindsay Smith 4 years ago
awwwwwww... I'm touched and impressed. What a fantastic doting dad!!
#11
#12
Elizabeth Bedenbaugh 4 years ago
Hes a wonderful designer and shes a great model! Love it all.
Lindsay Smith 4 years ago
WOW!!! I hope he makes money on his skills. At the very least, he's made at least two people very happy! Best wishes ever! She's so adorable too.
#13
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
They look like they’re heading out for a very special Daddy-Daughter night! ♥️
sizzle like a sausage 4 years ago
I want that dress. It's gorgeous, this man has a truely amazing talent and his daughter is just lovely!
#14
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
Just chilling after an invigorating volleyball game...just the two of them
#15
Ava Musselman 4 years ago
That hair! oh my gosh where did you get it done cause I want it!!!!!
#16
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
Wow! This daddy daughter team, beats any team for fashion! 2021, the year dad came in to his own and started his own fashion house! Designing Dad’s !
#17
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
That’s the sort of summer dress my grandmother made for me and my sister!
#18
#19
Violet Smith 4 years ago
I love how confident she looks in all the photos! This Dad is doing a great job.
#20
#21
Wolfstar 4 years ago
He made that coat?? I can't even sew a square! This guy is amazing, he should've gone into the fashion industry!
#22
#23
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
I love that they’re wearing vibrant pink on top and slightly more subdued colors below.
#24
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
Aside from the fashion foreword clothes, she is not dressed suggestively and they are wonderfully age appropriate for her, yet extremely stylish! He has the X factor!
#25
Messy 4 years ago
It’s so nice to see a African American father who is really going against the sickening stereotype portrayed. Congrats to this man. He’s won dad of the year!
Estelle Young 4 years ago
I love how you said this! Everyone PLEASE press her up arrow.
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#27
Hehehehehehehehe 4 years ago
I NEED a matching romper to *hair flip* express my queer energy
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#28
Shellia Ventura 4 years ago
Every single one of these are just so beautiful in so many ways. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if all dads would be so loving and interested in their children as this dad. I think this post has been the best I've ever seen on Bored Panda.
#29
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
I love dresses that the wind ruffles the skirt, but not expose your under parts! It is lovely
Batman_Lover 4 years ago
Totally not related to the outfit that I'm supposed to be looking at but my ADHD is really working but is she standing in the road or is my mind going even farther away
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
It looks like it’s a small neighborhood road that ends in a park, so no one’s really likely to even be going the speed limit.
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Robin Childers 4 years ago
My Dad would cut off his arm to save me, but wouldn't do anything like this.
#31
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
She looks like the child version of one of my favorite coworkers ever in my 40+/- years of office work.
#32
#33
Batman_Lover 4 years ago
I love your daddy too. That came out wrong 🤣. I mean I love her dad's fashion sense
Estelle Young 4 years ago
I totally agree!!!! Whoever disliked you is crazy.
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#34
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#36
Pamela-Paneck Walsh 4 years ago
LOVE this!!! I love the use of color. His daughter is lucky to have such a loving and talented Dad. I think he needs to sell his designs so we can brighten the world.
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#43
Terry Peirce 4 years ago
Daddy's girl.....ya think? She'll probably never understand how loved she is. What a blessing.
Judith Wilson 4 years ago
Pretty sure she understands very well. She simply glows.
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#50
Janine Hunt-Jackson 4 years ago
I get a kick out of the fact that her accessories match her clothes.
Lindsay Smith 4 years ago
Her confidence shows and I love that. I also dig sneakers with dresses.
#51
#52
teresa fenton 4 years ago
Hi from NZ. Wow they are all amazing Cld not pick just one Amazing and ur daughter is so proud Keep doing what you are doing😀😀 Teresa
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
Good job matching the beads in the zories with the colors *and* design of the dress
#54
Lynn Greene 4 years ago
It is wonderful to see a confident child growing up, knowing she is greatly loved.
#56
#58
Susan Stead 4 years ago
I wish I had just a smidge of his talent. And it's great how he matches outfits with her. What a dad!
Lindsay Smith 4 years ago
I dig her as a child model. She brings so much emotion to each photo. Thanks for sharing this. I'm showing it to friends and family!
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Toasty 4 years ago
Any Dad who takes the time to invest in their daughters interests gets a big ol' thumbs up from me.
Dominika Juillet 4 years ago
beautiful!! Please start a clothing line!!! there are so many "mommy and me" for moms and daughters and fathers and songs but literally ZERO for daughter and dad (my dad is like my best friend, *mom is great too but def grew up bonding with dad and the outdoors)..
Viviane 4 years ago
I know a young woman who takes after her father in traveling by motorcycle. Her brother is more into discussing politics (like their mother). It leaves development and growth more open when no one applies gender conformity to interests and self-expression. And don't anyone be fooled by gender expression -- my sister-in-law is quite girly, but uses that to advantage as a very tough and effective prosecutor. She'll ask ever-so-nicely to repeat that story and ever-so-nicely poke holes in it.
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The 5-star rated 5-star rating system 4 years ago
This father is very talented. His daughters seem proud, and rightly so.
Patti Vance 4 years ago
great outfits! and, i am going to say it....can you imagine what her wedding dress is going to look like!
Daphne Williams 4 years ago
I love how much enjoyment and confidence she has in these photos. It's terribly sad what he said about his own father. Great job turning that experience into something positive!
Toasty 4 years ago
Any Dad who takes the time to invest in their daughters interests gets a big ol' thumbs up from me.
Dominika Juillet 4 years ago
beautiful!! Please start a clothing line!!! there are so many "mommy and me" for moms and daughters and fathers and songs but literally ZERO for daughter and dad (my dad is like my best friend, *mom is great too but def grew up bonding with dad and the outdoors)..
Viviane 4 years ago
I know a young woman who takes after her father in traveling by motorcycle. Her brother is more into discussing politics (like their mother). It leaves development and growth more open when no one applies gender conformity to interests and self-expression. And don't anyone be fooled by gender expression -- my sister-in-law is quite girly, but uses that to advantage as a very tough and effective prosecutor. She'll ask ever-so-nicely to repeat that story and ever-so-nicely poke holes in it.
Load More Replies... The 5-star rated 5-star rating system 4 years ago
This father is very talented. His daughters seem proud, and rightly so.
Patti Vance 4 years ago
great outfits! and, i am going to say it....can you imagine what her wedding dress is going to look like!
Daphne Williams 4 years ago
I love how much enjoyment and confidence she has in these photos. It's terribly sad what he said about his own father. Great job turning that experience into something positive!
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