handmade – Page 5 – Em Sew Happy Blog

Ritual Dress

Featuring Fabric from the Devonstone Fashion Summer Abroad Collection by Lindsey Rae

So excited to feature the latest fabric collection from the immensely talented Lindsey Rae @sewtogrow. It’s currently available for wholesale through Devonstone Fashion. It was hard to pick which design I wanted but I settled on the Cornwall Oceanside Print in a luxe linen cotton blend. It is fifty-five percent linen and forty-five percent cotton, 180-185 gsm and 145cm wide. The pattern is reminiscent of wildflower fields. I love the riot of colour in this collection. Best of all, it will also be available in a variety of substrates like rayon, poplin, and jersey to name a few.

The pattern that immediately came to mind when I received the Cornwall Oceanside Print Linen was the Swimstyle Ritual Dress. I had bought this pattern last year but was waiting for the perfect fabric to match it. It’s basically a shirt dress but with the additional features of the drawstring waist casing in a maxi length. I haven’t had the opportunity to sew many collars and cuffs, so this was another consideration in my choice. The instructions for these are superb for entry level sewists.

Wearing it with waist cinched in and with it loose

As with any other sew, I washed the linen cotton on a cold cycle and popped it on the medium setting in the dryer. There was no noticeable shrinkage and no fading of the dye. I like how the addition of the cotton to the linen helps to reduce wrinkling and cuts down the time it takes to iron. I do appreciate that relaxed vibe that wrinkling in linen can give but I prefer to start wrinkle free and earn the wrinkles along the way.

Of course, I also checked my needle. I left it on the universal 90/14 gage needle that I had been using. I matched the fabric with the Gutermann CA 02776 thread. I’m not sure the colour of the print shows up in the photos, but the print consists of shadows of mauve flora on a background of green.

The Ritual Dress has quite a lot of ease in the pattern sizing, so I chose my usual Size L for my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips. I did not make any modifications. My height is 167cm. I felt the pattern was true to size and fitted comfortably. Perhaps the sleeves could have been shortened slightly but I wanted to have the full-length sleeve and a properly maxi dress. I guess I’m great at sewing summer outfits, but I really need to make items that will see me through the cooler weather. I think this dress fits the bill nicely.

Ritual Dress in Cornwall Print Linen Cotton

The collar and cuff instructions were great if you lack experience in this area. It’s really made for novice level and can highly recommend it. The Summer Abroad linen cotton has been such a good quality fabric to sew with. It still has that slight stiffness that linen starts with so it feels a little bit course on the skin but that will soften with a few washes. I know that’s sometimes a concern with linen, but it really doesn’t take long for it to season to a soft and pliable garment.

Hopefully, the Summer Abroad collection will be available for purchase soon from your favourite fabric store! Currently, it’s available for wholesale through Devonstone Fashion. Keep your eyes out for it from the Sew To Grow newsletter.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Faux Collar Shirt

Sara Kim from Sewing Therapy Patterns has released another fantastic pattern! It’s the Faux Collar Oversized Button-Down Shirt or Dress. I was one of the testers for the pattern and chose to test the Crop Shirt version. There’s always a big rush to get on her testing team so I was grateful to be chosen.

This pattern features the faux collar which attaches only to the front of the shirt. It is comfortably oversized without sacrificing style. The cropped version stops at the natural waist which is perfect for pairing with my high waisted skirts or pants. It is also a button down with an inverted pleat at the back which gives a slight flared shape. This pattern is feature packed and this is only one of the versions!

As with any pattern test, there are some adjustments made along the way. I enjoyed the pattern as it was, so I made the test version twice. I made the size 12 without any modifications for my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips.

My first version was made using this colourful cotton batiste fabric which was beautifully sheer and lightweight.

Everything went smoothly with the test and the pattern instructions were great. Sara always includes videos at some stage during the test. These are usually abridged versions, but we watch and help test those as well. I had finished my test in time and was happy to send off my fit and styled photos. So, it was a shock to me to receive a message from Sara asking me if I might have accidentally sewn my sleeves upside down! I immediately ran off to check my photos and sure enough, they are flared so I had in fact attached them upside down. Sara was very gracious, and we both had a giggle. She immediately went to include markings on the sleeve pattern to help the 1% of sewers like me. This is why she is so good to test for!

I decided to sew the pattern again with the sleeves as intended by the pattern. This time I used a plain sage coloured linen-lyocell fabric. It’s slightly heavier than the batiste I used but drapier. Lyocell is beautifully soft, lightweight, absorbent and a bit more wrinkle resistant that pure linen. My choice was mainly influenced by the fluid drape of this fabric. Again, I made the Crop Faux Collar Shirt in the size 12 without any modifications, this time attaching the sleeves correctly! In fact, the sleeves can be interchanged with other Sewing Therapy patterns like the Tie Dress or the Infit Pattern.

It feels great to be testing again. I really enjoyed the process and was so excited to share the fantastic new pattern from Sewing Therapy.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Billow Sleeve Knit

It’s taken me awhile to sit and write the review of the Swimstyle Billow Sleeve Knit* because I was tempted to start sewing another one straight away. However, the weather is warming up, so I’ll give it a break before making another version. I really admire the very organised sewists that plan their sewing according to the seasons. I can’t seem to keep up and it ends up frustrating me, so I don’t even try!

The sleeves are what drew me to this pattern. I decided on the cropped version with the regular neckline. There is also a longer version which I think would suit a lighter knit. I managed to score this dusky rose ribbed knit from my local fabric store. It is the perfect match for this pattern. It’s very soft and cozy to wear.

As with my other Swimstyle makes, I chose to sew the size L for my measurements of 38-inch bust and 33-inch waist. The sizing has been impressively consistent, so I didn’t bother with a toile. This saves me so much in fabric. It’s great to have a pattern that is so reliable.

Knit fabric has been a challenge that I wanted to try and master this year. I had some issues with my hem. It’s always the smallest things that give the biggest, unexpected challenge in a project. I had to reach out to the sewing community online and as usual, everyone was so generous with their advice. The first time I tried to sew my hem, it became wavy and looked awful.

The tips that were given to me included:

Use a ball point needle and use a zig zag stitch (2 Length: 2.5 Width), which I did.
I found the fabric pieces slipped a bit so I’m hoping to invest in a walking foot next time.
Someone suggested that I stabilise the hems and shoulder seams with clear elastic or knit interfacing. I think I’ve seen something on the True Bias Website which might help.
Another tip I learnt from someone was that if the serger is stretching the fabric out, you can turn the differential feed higher to avoid that (to avoid that wavy hem).

To resolve the issue, I unpicked my hem and resewed it with a twin needle. It needed a bit of steam and a press to regain its shape.

So glad that I’m part of a generous community and it’s made it so much easier for me to progress my sewing.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

*Gifted as part of the Swimstyle Ambassador Program but all opinions remain my own.

Ele Skirt

It’s been a minute and a half since I’ve sat down to do some sewing. I decided that when my all my kids finally graduated from school, I would treat myself to extending some of my own education. It turned out to be extremely challenging but satisfying and was happy to pass my course. I’ve had to turn off all my social media just to concentrate and avoid the temptation to sit at my sewing machine. Now finally, I’m happy to be back sewing. I realised that I have come to rely on sewing to relax and decompress.

The pattern I chose to sew first was the Sewing Therapy Ele Skirt. I got it when it launched and it’s the perfect skirt weather with our weather warming into spring. It was a relatively quick sew and has great instructions. Again, Sara keeps all her instructions concise but detailed. She also includes great sew along videos on YouTube which I did watch.

I like the Ele skirt design of the flat front and elasticated back waistband. It’s more comfortable these days to wear items that have a bit of flexibility in the waistband. Hands up fellow endo sufferers and perimenopausal women. I want structure but comfort, if that makes sense. The fit is true to size. I made the size 12 with no modifications. My measurements are 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips. The pattern advises using the hip measurements to choose your sizing.

The fabric I’ve used is a 100% cotton lightweight poplin. Even though I have largely stopped shopping ready to wear, I sometimes pop into Uniqlo to browse and I really love that style of shirt-fabric skirts that they stock. I’m happy with the choice except for a minor hiccup when I discovered that the narrow fabric did not fit the skirt’s pattern piece. To compensate, I trimmed the pattern piece and took a wedge off without affecting the hip or waist measurements. I’ll need to be more careful to find a wider piece of fabric when I make it again.

The pocket construction was one of my favourite features of the pattern as well as the list of options for the front pleats. I chose to make the big, inverted pleats but there was also a gathered option, knife pleats, reversed knife pleats. It’s fun when a pattern can be customised to your liking. The pockets are large enough to fit you hand and phone. Very useful indeed!

Another successful pattern from Sewing Therapy. I’m embracing neutrals and solid colours currently. I’m trying to make things that would match and balance out my more colourful, patterned makes.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Aveiro Shirt

Lovely Nasrin from Needle Eye Patterns sent me the Aveiro Shirt* for a review and I’m so glad she did. The Aveiro Shirt is a button up, sleeveless shirt with a ruffle that wraps around the collar and halfway down the placket. The ruffle details give this top a beautiful feminine look especially when embroidery details are added to it. I was thrilled to learn how to add a scalloped edge to the ruffle. I was also impressed with the detailed finishing instructions which makes the blouse neat on the inside as well as the outside.

The top is suitable for woven fabric. I’ve made two versions of this top. My first was a wearable toile with a Swiss-dot, lightweight cotton. My “good” version of the top was made with a patterned linen which is still lightweight but has medium drape with more of a structured feel to the fabric. Both were appropriate for the pattern, but I feel that the linen will need more wearing in and washes to take on the shape of the top. The shoulder yokes have gathers which still sit away from the body. I know from experience that linen will soften, and it will sit better after that.

My measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist sat between the size 10 and size 12. Looking at the amount of ease in the pattern, I decided that the size 10 would be fine without grading. I did toile the pattern and it felt like a comfortable fit. I find that the pattern is true to size.

Instructions for the pattern were fantastic. It’s uniquely written from the point of view of a seamstress without assuming background knowledge of the person using the pattern. I found out from the Needle Eye Patterns website that Nasrin is not only a designer but a very experienced sewing teacher which explains why the instructions are written in a very clear and non-ambiguous manner. At no point did I have to stop to look up a technique or instruction. In addition to the written instructions that were paired with great illustrations, there is also a YouTube video sew along. With all these resources, this pattern is suitable for someone who is a beginner to an expert.

One part that I enjoyed the most but also the part I sewed wrongly in the first toiled version was the ruffles. It doesn’t state in the pattern which side (right or wrong) of the fabric to cut on and it’s not possible to tell on the video with the fabric being used. So, initially, I cut from the good side of the fabric, and it meant that my longer side of the ruffle ended up on the left side of the blouse. Women’s shirts button from right to left, that is, buttonholes on the right and buttons on the left. So, on my toiled top, the buttonholes are on the left with the ruffles and the buttons on the right. It still works but it was something I had to pay attention to in the linen version. This time, I cut the pattern pieces from the wrong side of the fabric, and it worked out fine. This mistake was not a reflection on the pattern but just me forgetting which way women’s tops button up. Who decided this in the first place anyway?

The finishes on the top are so neat. Almost all the seams are French seamed. Bias binding finished the sleeve opening. I used a serger for the hem of the shirt and then sewed and turned the bottom corner of the placket. It’s a very satisfying sew and I learnt a few new things. Overall, a happy outcome. I’ll be finishing my toiled version and sharing it soon. I’m thrilled with my Aveiro Shirt and can’t stop admiring the scalloped edge on my ruffle!

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

*Pattern was gifted for a review but all opinions remain my own.

Dawn Jeans (Wide Leg)

I made jeans! I’ve had this pattern now for about three years. Each year, I take the pattern out to put on my “Make Nine” list and then chicken out and the whole cycle starts again the following year. The barriers have been slightly varied each year including needing a better sewing machine, needing more skill, denim can be expensive, so I didn’t want to outlay the cost only to be disappointed. In the end, this has been the right year for me to attempt this pattern.

The Dawn Jeans comes in four variations, and I’ve chosen to sew the wide leg version. There is also the straight leg version which I will return to sew as well. I love that everything is customisable and there are lots of suggestions on how to do this. I started out thinking I would use a contrasting brown topstitch but after seeing on the zip-fly, I decided to use matching thread for a more modern sleek look. This was also because it’s my first iteration of the pattern and I was more interested in making sure the fit was right.

So, the pattern has a vintage inspired fit with minimal ease at the hips and is high waisted. I was worried about fit because I’ve never had a comfortable “ready to wear” pair of jeans. I find that I often don’t fit into high waisted fitted pants because of my belly. Measuring myself just at the waist and hips does not really give me a good guide to how my body would fit so I went to the Cashmerette site and used the measuring guide for the Creston Jeans. I haven’t made those jeans yet, but I love the guides on fitting that Cashmerette provide. I’ve put my measurements in the table below, but you can also check out the Cashmerette Blog for their guide. I used the elastic band method to get my measurements.

Natural Waist	33”
At Waistband	36”
Crotch length	27 ¾”
Rise	12”
In seam	28”
Hip	40”

My Measurements

Using those measurements, I decided to grade the Dawn Jeans from a size 14 waist to size 12 at the hips and to use the regular full inseam. The sizing options cater for tall and crop inseam as well. I couldn’t decide if I should sew the shorts first as a toile, but impatience made me jump into the deep end.

The pattern is drafted for non-stretch denim, so I chose a rigid ring spun 6oz (200gsm) denim. It’s a lighter weight denim which still holds its shape but easier on the sewing machine. I’m ordering a 10oz (338gsm) vintage denim for my next attempt.

Making jeans was not a weekend project for me. It took several weeks to work through all the details which made it thoroughly enjoyable. I love how the first thing you tackle in the pattern is the zip fly. I’ve only ever done this once before when I made the True Bias Dani Pants. It was a lot easier this time. I haven’t made a comparison of the methodology, but my zip extension sits very neatly, and I was so happy with the result. I think slowing down also helped.

I did attempt to topstitch but the sound that my machine made stressed me out. I did learn that to have neat topstitching I needed a longer stitch length and a slight increase in tension. It would also be handy to use a second machine for the topstitching. This will be something I return to in the future. The instructions for the topstitching are incredibly detailed and it will give it a “classic jeans” look. Instructions throughout the pattern were very comprehensive with illustrations. I found the online photo tutorials were very helpful and referred to them often. Luckily, I had saved the initial email sent when I bought the pattern with all the links because I couldn’t find them by myself on the website. It’s because the Ash Jeans are used for the Dawn Jeans as well.

Attaching the shank jean button was not as difficult as I thought it would be. I bought the button kit a while ago when I bought the Dawn Jeans pattern. My pattern came with a few options and a separate instruction booklet for these options. There’s a button fly, exposed button fly, and zip fly options. My toolbox did not have an awl, so I used a nail which worked fine.

There are a few things I would like to improve the next time I make this pattern. There are instructions to clip into the curve of the front pant seam. I followed the instructions, but I regret this as I think this will weaken the seam and might disintegrate with laundering. I wish I had left it unclipped. Would anyone know why this was instructed? I’m going to try the contrast stitching but using two spools or maybe I’ll be brave and use the topstitching thread on my spare machine. Oh! Also, I put the coin pocket on the wrong way so now it’s a secret pocket. It faces inwards instead of out. I was so sure that the instruction says to put the pocket facing and pocket bag wrong sides together, but it was too late to correct it by the time I realised. I’m not too upset, I think it’s handy to have a secret pocket.

I’m not going to wait so long to make this again. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge and the details of this pattern. Hopefully this will give you a push if you’ve been wanting to try sewing jeans.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Darla Jumpsuit

Featuring Fibers to Fabric Hand-blocked Cambric Cotton

It was so exciting to receive this beautiful hand-blocked cambric cotton from Fibers to Fabric for a review. The first thing I had to find out was, what was cambric cotton? It’s sometimes known as batiste and it’s a beautifully sheer fabric that’s great for summer. It reminds me of the handkerchiefs my grandmother used to hand embroider. It’s a natural fabric and usually made from either linen or in this case, cotton. It’s popular because it can be dyed easily so it’s perfect for the Fibers to Fabric hand-block.

My first challenge was narrowing down what I was going to make with it. The fabric width is 42” (107 cm) and I had 3 meters. The design of the hand-block was non-directional. I narrowed it down to the True Bias Darla Jumpsuit because I wanted to maximise the use of every square inch of this fabric. With a bit of creative cutting and use of a white muslin for the liner, I managed to cut the maxi with classic bodice version of the Darla. Gloriously, this included the pockets!

To prepare the fabric, I overlocked both cut ends of the fabric before soaking and washing it in cold water. Once out of the wash, I air-dried it then finished with a warm iron. The benefit of cambric cotton over plain cotton is the tighter weave which makes it more resilient with frequent laundering. It’s stands up better to being washed without compromise to the lightness of the fabric.

While my fabric was drying, I gathered my supplies for my Darla Jumpsuit. There are four versions of this pattern. It can actually be sewn as a dress and comes as a maxi or mini. There are two bodice options. One is a tie back or the classic with the invisible zip. I decided on the classic, so I needed an invisible zip. When I was at Spotlight, I also bought the invisible zipper foot. The pattern calls for lining which can be from the same fabric. I used a white muslin and interfacing which was already in my stash. To prepare my machine, I changed my needle to a new size 10/70 needle which is great for lightweight fabrics.

Now, I’m not brave when it comes to cutting straight into “good” fabric with a new pattern. I toiled the Darla bodice with a remnant thin cotton and had to make some adjustments. I recommend this especially since the Darla has a fitted bodice. For my measurements of 35” HB:37.5” FB:33” W:40”H, I made the size 12 and I did have to adjust the bust. It says in the pattern that it is drafted for a C Cup so my measurements would put me between the B Cup and C Cup. The structure of the bust is made from two darts, one from the side (underarm) and one from bottom (under bust). Without going into too much of the math, the dart can be adjusted to be narrower for a smaller cup or wider for a fuller cup. I adjusted the side seam to compensate for the adjustment and I only adjusted the underarm dart. The main message is to toile, and I always adjust on my body and then measure. I’m terrible at doing it the proper way which would be more accurate. I find the Darla pattern true to size.

This hand stamped floral block print was a dream to work with. It’s very stable to sew and easy to handle. I used an overlocker to finish the seams which worked fine. Some finer fabric would need French seams, but the cambric cotton tolerated the overlocking. True Bias instructions and order of construction is excellent. It was a joy to bring together this pattern and the fabric. I just need a bit of sunshine and heat to wear it. Is it okay to book a tropical getaway so you can wear an outfit? Asking for a friend.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Full disclosure: Fabric was gifted for a review but all opinions remain my own.

Ella Dress

Pattern Scout has done it again! This is the newly released pattern from Pattern Scout, and it hits the mark of a timeless classic. The Ella is a sleeveless shift dress which can be sewn on the bias, so it just skims the curves. It’s a classic with the boatneck midi dress. If you’re looking for a pattern with some skill building features, there are instructions for French seams, sewing on the bias and installing the invisible zip.

I was lucky enough to get onto the testing team. I really like testing for Casey and have sewn many of her patterns. The instructions are always comprehensive and easy to follow. The illustrations are great, and she also has a YouTube Channel which is another great reference. I’m sure she will be providing some great sew along videos for the Ella Dress. I also like the sizing especially the inclusion of cup sizes.

This pattern is drafted for woven fabric. It would suit anything light to medium weight with fluid drape. I used a rayon from East Coast Textiles. I had discovered East Coast Textiles through some sewing friends and really love their rayon. Luckily, a new batch had arrived when I was doing this pattern test. I had three meters available which was perfect for the pattern to be cut on the bias. The pattern can also be sewn straight grain which can be a fabric saver.

My measurements of 35HB:37FB: 33W:40H fits the size 12, B-cup. The pattern is drafted for an average height 5’9” (175cm). I’m slightly shorter but decided not to shorten the length with this make because I was testing the piece. There are always good instructions about fit and how to modify the pattern included with Pattern Scout Patterns. Without shortening the length, the dress does look more maxi than midi on me. I have decided to leave it as a maxi because I would wear it more.

The dress is neatly finished off with French seams and the neckline and armholes have facings. I feel like this is a great pattern for practicing some of those advanced sewing skills. I also liked the instructions for installing the invisible zip. I still haven’t bought myself an invisible zipper foot, but I think I’m used to it now. I use a normal zipper foot, but I make sure that I iron open the zip tape to sew as close as possible to the zipper teeth.

It’s nice to have a wardrobe staple like the Ella Dress. I feel that this silhouette is a classic and doesn’t date. It’s something I will return to sew again and again. I can’t wait to wear this in summer. Maybe I’ll make one that will be suitable for winter layering and add lining.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Andi Set

Brunching with other ladies who sew can be dangerous for the budget. It was during one of these brunches when I discovered East Coast Textiles and their fantastic selection of rayons. They also have other fabric, but I was mainly interested in the rayon which I bought three pieces at a bargain price. The one I’m featuring has a border print which I wanted to challenge myself with. Initially, I thought of making another pair of flint pants or a pyjama set but when I was sewing up my Andi Set Top, I thought of how this fabric would pair so well with a sleeveless version of the full Swimstyle Patterns Andi Set.

So, I set about researching how to sew with border prints. First, I had to decide how to use the border print. Seeing as there was no seam running vertically in the front of the skirt, I decided to use the border to emphasise the bottom of the blouse and the skirt. I think this was a nice way of pairing the set and adds a bit of matching detail.

The second challenge was cutting the fabric. The border runs along the selvedge on both sides, so I had to cut the pattern cross grain. We don’t usually cut cross grain because there is more stretch to the fabric this way but since the pattern pieces are not too heavy and allow for lots of drape, it’s okay for this pattern.

This was good in theory but challenging in execution. It took me a whole afternoon to figure out how to align and modify the pattern pieces to fit the border nicely. Rayon is very slippery fabric so another challenge was cutting everything accurately so the seams would line up and not interrupt the border print. I’ll try to describe what I did. For the top, I lengthened it by 1 inch but when sewing the side seams of the top, I did not match the sides according to the notch provided but by the border print. This gave me an uneven bottom edge, so I then trimmed it to even it up before finishing the bottom hem. The side seam of the Andi Top has gathers on the front bodice piece, so this is how I was able to modify it. For the skirt, I cut the pattern as it is drafted but left the bottom of the skirt straight. When I had matched and sewn the side seams, making sure my border print had matched up, I trimmed the bottom raw edge following the curve of the pattern piece before finishing the hem of the skirt. There are probably a few ways of doing this but, I found that this worked best for me. This skirt has two side splits, so it wasn’t too difficult to use the border print for this.

The sizing was true to size. I sewed the Size L for the top and the skirt without any modifications. My measurements are 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips. I decided to make the long tie for the top. I finally worked out how to use my loop turner properly which make the process a lot easier and faster. I swear that the loop turner I bought came with gave me completely different instructions which is why I’ve struggled in the past!

Instructions and illustrations are excellent with the pattern which makes it so enjoyable to sew Swimstyle Patterns. I have been gifted the pattern as part of their Ambassador Program, but they are excellent instructions and all opinions in this article remains my own. One small annoyance is that I think the pattern is made more for people who like to trace their patterns not the people who cut into them like I do! No hate please, do as you like but I tend to print the size or sizes I need and then cut accordingly. There are no size layers when you print and there’s also no differentiation of the cutting lines so it’s a bit easy to get lost. I mention this because I did! I started with the line for size L and then somehow was cutting the size M. Luckily, I had noticed quite quickly and could stick the paper to repair it.

The design is superb, and you can tell that these patterns are designed and drafted by someone with a lot of experience. The set has a beautiful look and fit. Even though the skirt has an elasticised waist, it looks sleek and well fitted. I also love the elongated tie which is an elegant part of the design. So happy with how this set turned out. I love sets because of how versatile they are. Whether you wear each piece styled independently or together.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Tie Dress

Catching up with my latest make which is this beautiful newly released Tie Dress from Sewing Therapy. So, if you have been following Sewing Therapy on YouTube, you’ll also be following Sara on Instagram under the handle @yoursara_k and you can find it in her Two O Nine Fabric Etsy shop. Okay, now that you know where to locate everything, let’s talk about this uniquely versatile dress which features four ties and comes as short or long sleeves. The ties can be tied in a multitude of ways to create a different look.

It’s always a short testing period with Sewing Therapy Patterns. I’m fine this as long as it spans over a weekend. When I signed up, I was so excited to get into the testing team because it was a long weekend here in Australia. This was until I got to the fabric store and realised that it was closed for the public holiday! Luckily the store reopened the next day when I found this beautiful linen/cotton blend fabric. I love the bright large floral print. The print is bright but is also muted. Not quite pastel but halfway there.

The pattern is a great beginner’s pattern and Sara has created very comprehensive sew along videos. It’s important to know that there are written instructions but there are no illustrations in the pattern. If you are not great with videos or have no access to YouTube, then it might not qualify as a beginner’s pattern. I did find the written instructions to be logical and easy to understand but I did appreciate the videos that Sara released early to the testers especially for the attachment of the short sleeves and the ties. The methodology for the construction of the short sleeves was quite novel to me.

My sizing was fine for the test but there were some adjustments made for the larger sizes. I like testing for Sara because she’s quick to respond to testers questions and she always gives us feedback or updates as we sew. I made the size 12 (38B:33W:40H) and I would happily sew the same size again. I’ll be making the dress with the long sleeves to wear over winter.

Styling this dress is so much fun because of the ties and, you can wear it with the V neck or Boat neck. It’s never boring! The dress will also be great for layering which is why I hope to make another one soon.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em