Sometimes, I get so excited about new release patterns, I forget to look at what is already in my sewing queue. I bought the True Bias Aster Top & Dress when it was newly released in 2023 and finally got around to toiling it last year. I fell in love with the classic lines of the dress and the square neckline immediately. This style is exactly what I love in a dress. The dress is a shift with broad arm straps which is part of the pattern. It has a squared off neckline and armholes. After making the toile with the top, I put it aside as I often do, until Kelli from True Bias Patterns mentioned she was looking for someone to make and photograph the dress, which was a good prompt for me to return to it!
As mentioned, I made the Aster Top as a wearable toile. It was a good first step because the fit was perfect for the bodice and that was the main area I wanted to check. I must be honest and say that it’s not a top I have reached for very often because it’s a bit short and I’m a bit self-conscious about showing my belly. I might unpick the hem and try to add a ruffle to extend the length. It did work well as a toile, and it did help me with fabric choice too.
The pattern is made for woven. I had brought back some fantastic fabric from my trip to South Korea. I have a blog post where I detailed my experience doing fabric shopping in South Korea. All my fabric ended up being delivered to my hotel which I arranged with The Linen Lab who I was so grateful to for accommodating my travel plans. It was a wonderful experience which they made stress free. I decided to use this beautiful soft green chambray linen for the dress version of the True Bias Aster.
For my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips, the size 12 was the perfect fit but I lengthened the dress by 6 inches so that it would fall a bit below my knees. The original pattern is a shift dress mini which hits a few inches above the knees. The pattern has lengthening and shortening lines, so it was easy to slash and add the 6 inches of length with some paper. I added the length to the front piece, back piece and the button placket interfacing strip.
The dress looks like a simple shift, but the twist comes with the button placket being in the back. Initially I worried about the buttons showing more than I wanted and wondered if it would be difficult to do up the buttons to wear the dress. Since finishing the dress, I found that I can slip the dress over my head without undoing the buttons. My lovely matching buttons were kindly gifted to me by my friend Eileen from my sewing circle.
Anyway, I really love this dress. It will be nice and cool, and it will be lovely to wear this soft linen on a hot day. It’s good to be working my way through my sewing queue and finding gems like the Aster Dress that will become TNT (tried and true) patterns. I’m so grateful that Kelli was featuring this pattern because it’s been one that I’ve loved making and wearing.
Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
X Em
Em Sew Happy Blog 