Pattern Review: The Molly Dress
May ended up being quite a productive month for me craft-wise, and I’m pleased to say I’ve been able to tick off some of my #2018makenine list!
Wild Things dresses – the A line dress
I’ve scaled down my makes recently for an upcoming birthday. Having found Kirsty Hartley’s second book (Wild Things To Make) in a local shop, I decided to begin with a simple A line girl’s dress to begin with.
#sewmystyle – June – Briar Tee
I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of June! I cut out the fabric for June’s make at the very beginning but found myself actually constructing it towards the end of the month, assuming I still had loads of time. This month, it was back to knits.
#sewmystyle – May – Califaye Collection Pocket Skirt
Another month has whizzed by but unlike the past couple of months, I’ve actually managed to make this month’s garment in time for the end of the month!
#sewmystyle – April – Bridgetown dress
Once again, I found myself blundering out of another month without a completed project for #sewmystyle. My flaw in April was that I completely forgot to prewash the fabric until the day I chose to cut out the pieces. I ended up washing it while I cut out pieces for another project on my list, and then with other deadlines appearing, April came and went!
The Freja Dress
March was a hectic month but I was pleased to complete a project which was on my list – The Freja Dress from Simply Sewing Magazine.
I’ve been swooning over many of the lovely pinafore patterns that have been around over the last couple of years, but opted for this one due to its A line style skirt.
#sewmystyle – March – Virginia Leggings
I missed the #sewmystyle March project share last Sunday as March flew by at an alarming rate! I set aside time this week to catch up instead.
#sew my style – February – The Saunio Cardigan
February has whizzed by, and I was slightly concerned about getting the second Sew my Style make made in time for the end of the month! However, I did not have to worry as it turned out to be a relatively simple make, even if it was with knit fabric.
Polka Dot Shift Dress
For the last few weeks, I have been going to some dressmaking classes nearby. I thought it might be useful for learning how to adjust and adapt patterns, as this is something I don’t do very much of.
#sewmystyle – January
Here is my first make as part of project #sewmystyle
The first pattern was toaster sweater 2 by Sew House Seven. This is not a pattern I would automatically choose myself. However, the whole point of completing this challenge is to move out of my comfort zone!
I chose a red jersey fabric from a local haberdashery. This fabric was sturdy, which works well to maintain the neck collar.
The instructions are detailed well. I used the pdf version to save money and found that using a guillotine sped along the cut and stick stage!
Another new product I tested with this make is using carbon paper, which revolutionised the cutting stage! It is much faster as I did not have to trace my size and then cut it out before pinning it on. Tilly and the Buttons have a great tutorial on how to use it here.
This was my third attempt with knit fabrics and I decided to use my overlocker for the seams round the shoulders and down the sides. I was quite nervous using it as it trims at the same time, leaving little margin of error! However, it does a great job as it feels less like you are going to stretch the garment out of shape! It’s very quick too.
The main issue I had was with using a twin needle. I adjusted the tension and used knit hemming tape alongside a walking foot, but I think that a stretch or ball point twin needle was needed.
I wasn’t sure about the dropped hem at the back, but now it’s made, I like this feature.
Overall, it was a great make and I look forward to starting February’s garment; the fabrics ready and waiting!
