Minerva Exclusive Savannah Dress

This is my first look at a Minerva Exclusive Pattern, and I’m impressed. The instruction booklet is a lovely thing in itself and the instructions are wonderfully clear, there was nothing on the way through this make that left me puzzled or in any doubt over what was required… There are diagrams to accompany the written instructions instead of the photographic style you commonly see now clearly illustrated each instruction.
The size chart was also wonderfully comprehensive, and my favourite thing the finished garment measurement chart was there too.
The pattern itself was on a sturdy paper (very akin to the paper most indie brands use) and the different size lines clear to follow. I chose to trace off my size instead of cutting the pattern paper to ensure I had options on a different size in the future should I need it, something I often do when trying a new pattern brand.

So, after carefully considering what size I needed (see post 1215224) and locating a suitable fabric in my stash to make this from I set about cutting out all the various pieces. The centre front and back pieces both need to be on the fold so to get the best from your fabric your best bet is to use a book fold (see pic).

The biggest appeal to me with the Savannah Dress was the pockets, I absolutely live for a pocket and have vowed to not make anything ever again that doesn’t have a pocket in it. The way these pockets slip into the curved princess seam on the front is just wonderful and super easy to do following the pattern instructions.

The fabric I found in my stash for this is a reversable knit fabric, and I immediately knew that given the panelled nature of this dress I could really showcase both the panels and both sides of this fabric to add extra interest. It’s a similar weight to a French terry (one of the suggested fabrics) although it is somewhat less fluid and a bit firmer in its drape.

This stitched up super-fast, working between my sewing machine and overlocker (you could definitely make this without an overlocker though, using zigzag on your machine instead). The neckline and armholes are finished off with the same band finish (I call it t-shirt finish, it’s easy to do and super effective in how it looks). Before I knew it, I was hemming the bottom and trying it on.

Now it is worth noting I have found this has come up super roomy… much larger than I would normally wear something. After looking at the finished garment measurements when choosing my size, I was concerned I may need to downsize but given it was my first go I wanted to make the correct size from the pattern’s perspective. I think I could easily downsize by a few sizes and find it fits better so that’s something I’ll be strongly considering if I make another.

However, the overall shape is lovely, the grown-on sleeves work well, and the pockets are a thing of complete joy! Different fabrics will make up so differently in this too to give a different effect so it feels pretty versatile, my literal only reservation on this is the sizing.

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