So you basically want this: http://www.grammies-attic.com/

I mean, I’m in favor of sewing, and I’m guessing if you had one pattern for something like this:
http://www.grammies-attic.com/new-rare-editions-navy-blue-pleated-sailor-dress-with-matching-beret.html
you could make it over and over with different fabrics and trims and it wouldn’t look like the same dress over and over again.

Unfortunately, though, fabric, notions, and trim are expensive enough that a handmade dress might not be any less expensive than ordering from that website. A different approach would be to find a shirt and skirt or two shirts that you like and combine them into a dress, which could require only knowing how to run the sewing machine in a straight line. I can’t find the blog post I’m looking for, but it was a woman who cut one shirt off just under the sleeves and sewed the raw edge down, then put on a second shirt and put the first shirt on so it hit her like a sleeveless top would. You could do that to make empire-waisted dresses, which are always cute on little girls. But you’d have to find appropriate clothing to begin from. (and there’s the whole sewing machine issue to boot) (why would you want to boot a sewing machine?) (you wouldn’t, at least not if it’s one of the quality old ones – you’d break your toes!)

Yes, knit as in knitting.

Frustrated as in wanting something with sleeves, simple in pattern and cut, and pretty and “little girl” looking. Maybe I’ve watched too many Shirley Temple movies or something, but I like the 1930s and ’40s styles for the most part.

Of course, most of my browsing is online and most of my shopping is at thrift stores… I was just hoping to get a few dresses for Holy Week and Easter that would serve well for lots of church-going. I also don’t know what the weather is going to be like in a couple of months.

Knit as in knitting? Might be time to 86 that project.

What kind of frustrated? I have been thinking about places to point you to but I’ve realized it depends on what you want. There may be changes you can make to the clothing available to make it what you want without going to the time and effort of sewing from scratch.

No, I don’t have a sewing machine, but am frustrated with the selection of girls’ clothing. My mother used to make my sisters’ clothes, and I was thinking it would be nice for the kids to learn how to sew, too. But I already have too many unfinished projects, including a pair of knit toddler pants (size 2T started for the child who is now 5).

Doo eet! You already have a sewing machine, right? Actually there are some good sewing classes online as well. Check out here: https://www.revedreams.com/sewing-tidbits/#learning