7 years ago
Hello Everyone!
It’s great to be back on Minerva again and I’m very excited about this make. Right back at the start of the year I decided to join in with the #makenine2019 challenge on Instagram and set myself nine patterns that I would like to make in 2019. Most of these were new patterns to me – I’m not sure this was the wisest planning ever, but I was excited about all of these makes and I’m more than halfway through now so fingers crossed I will get them all finished by the end of the year.
My make nine list included two patterns by Deer and Doe, the Magnolia dress and the Belladone dress. When I got the opportunity to test out some John Kaldor floral Cotton Sateen Fabric I knew it would be perfect for a maxi length Magnolia and I wasn’t wrong! I can’t rave about the fabric enough – the colours are vibrant, it washes well and it’s very stable. Coupled up with a dress pattern that looks impressive but is surprisingly straightforward and it’s a match made in heaven.
Although I do like the two sleeve options for the Magnolia dress I felt they would both look better in drapier fabrics so I decided to go off piste and make a sleeveless version. I achieved this by taking a crescent shape out of the armhole to make the shoulders slimmer and then I used bias tape to bind them in the same way that the neckline is finished. Nice and easy!
Speaking of necklines I wasn’t brave enough to go for the plunge option so I went with version B and was very happy with the result. It makes a nice ‘V’ shape without being too revealing or needing a modesty press stud. I basted the first side seam which showed that the bodice was slightly too big under the arms so I cut a small wedge out of each side (an inch at the armhole tapering to the waistband) before I installed the zip and sewed up the side seam.
As I mentioned before, the pattern is really simple. The two trickiest elements are the invisible zipper and the bias binding so a confident beginner could easily tackle this pattern. I decided not to bother with the slit in the skirt (although it would be lovely if you were making this pattern for an evening do) and I just sewed straight down the panel seam instead. The panels in the skirt, although fabric hungry, do give it a lovely swoosh and next time I might include some in-seam pockets. I was very impressed with the instructions which were easy to read and included clear illustrations. I am looking forward to trying out the Belladone dress later in the year and will definitely explore more of their patterns.
I am very happy with the dress which is flattering and comfortable but has a bit of the ‘wow’ factor. I sing in a choir and could do with a new concert dress so I have visions of a black crepe maxi version or something with a lace overlay. Decisions, decisions......
Thank you for reading and come and visit me over on Instagram!
Emma @emmsy.sews
#minervamakes #minervamakers #isew #memade #memades #sewing #sewist #sewists #sewinginspo #sewinginspiration #sew #sewcialist #sewingproject #sewingprojects #sewingideas #sewingprojectideas #sewingpatterninspo #lovesewing #ilovesewing #sewsewsew #sewersgonnasew #makersgonnamake #sewaholic #sewaholics #shareyoursewing #sewinglove #handmadewardrobe #handemadeclothes #isewmyclothes #diyclothes #dressmaking #fabricinspo #seamstress #memadeeveryday #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #fashion #fashioninspo #memadewardrobe #memadefashion #diyfashion #diywardrobe #fashionsewing #indiepatterns #indiesewingpatterns #deeranddoepatterns #deeranddoemagnoliadress #magnoliadress #sewingdresses #sewingmaxidresses #florals #johnkaldor #johnkaldorfabrics #sewingsateen #sateensewingprojects
It’s great to be back on Minerva again and I’m very excited about this make. Right back at the start of the year I decided to join in with the #makenine2019 challenge on Instagram and set myself nine patterns that I would like to make in 2019. Most of these were new patterns to me – I’m not sure this was the wisest planning ever, but I was excited about all of these makes and I’m more than halfway through now so fingers crossed I will get them all finished by the end of the year.
My make nine list included two patterns by Deer and Doe, the Magnolia dress and the Belladone dress. When I got the opportunity to test out some John Kaldor floral Cotton Sateen Fabric I knew it would be perfect for a maxi length Magnolia and I wasn’t wrong! I can’t rave about the fabric enough – the colours are vibrant, it washes well and it’s very stable. Coupled up with a dress pattern that looks impressive but is surprisingly straightforward and it’s a match made in heaven.
Although I do like the two sleeve options for the Magnolia dress I felt they would both look better in drapier fabrics so I decided to go off piste and make a sleeveless version. I achieved this by taking a crescent shape out of the armhole to make the shoulders slimmer and then I used bias tape to bind them in the same way that the neckline is finished. Nice and easy!
Speaking of necklines I wasn’t brave enough to go for the plunge option so I went with version B and was very happy with the result. It makes a nice ‘V’ shape without being too revealing or needing a modesty press stud. I basted the first side seam which showed that the bodice was slightly too big under the arms so I cut a small wedge out of each side (an inch at the armhole tapering to the waistband) before I installed the zip and sewed up the side seam.
As I mentioned before, the pattern is really simple. The two trickiest elements are the invisible zipper and the bias binding so a confident beginner could easily tackle this pattern. I decided not to bother with the slit in the skirt (although it would be lovely if you were making this pattern for an evening do) and I just sewed straight down the panel seam instead. The panels in the skirt, although fabric hungry, do give it a lovely swoosh and next time I might include some in-seam pockets. I was very impressed with the instructions which were easy to read and included clear illustrations. I am looking forward to trying out the Belladone dress later in the year and will definitely explore more of their patterns.
I am very happy with the dress which is flattering and comfortable but has a bit of the ‘wow’ factor. I sing in a choir and could do with a new concert dress so I have visions of a black crepe maxi version or something with a lace overlay. Decisions, decisions......
Thank you for reading and come and visit me over on Instagram!
Emma @emmsy.sews
#minervamakes #minervamakers #isew #memade #memades #sewing #sewist #sewists #sewinginspo #sewinginspiration #sew #sewcialist #sewingproject #sewingprojects #sewingideas #sewingprojectideas #sewingpatterninspo #lovesewing #ilovesewing #sewsewsew #sewersgonnasew #makersgonnamake #sewaholic #sewaholics #shareyoursewing #sewinglove #handmadewardrobe #handemadeclothes #isewmyclothes #diyclothes #dressmaking #fabricinspo #seamstress #memadeeveryday #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #fashion #fashioninspo #memadewardrobe #memadefashion #diyfashion #diywardrobe #fashionsewing #indiepatterns #indiesewingpatterns #deeranddoepatterns #deeranddoemagnoliadress #magnoliadress #sewingdresses #sewingmaxidresses #florals #johnkaldor #johnkaldorfabrics #sewingsateen #sateensewingprojects
Add all tagged items to your basket