Well, a few weeks ago
Scroop patterns released a
really gorgeous dress pattern. I had seen little teasers of it before then and had liked it but wasn't sure I was actually going to buy the pattern until it came out. It was on sale and the test dresses were just lovely so, despite thinking that I'd be unconsciously returning to the churchy ultra-modest styles of my childhood, I got it. I printed it out that very day and taped it together and cut out a dress with some fabric I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby last winter.
I've been wanting a nice everyday style dress for a while. Back in March or April (idk when? Sometime after quarantine started?) I made a copycat version of the
Dottie Angel Frock from my
Maya Top pattern and thought the style would be good for everday use. I had weird wrinkling on the upper chest though, so I never did make another copycat Dottie Angel. (I do, however, wear the one I did make!)
I probably thought about the "perfect" everyday dress way too much. I wanted something with a nice feminine shape but yet not fitted or tight anywhere. Something that would not require a bra. Something not too short that would require the use of under layers, yet not too long. I needed to be able to hike, mow the grass, carry laundry up a flight of stairs or down, and, perhaps too importantly, be able to drum and dance.
The Dottie Angel was a good candidate and I'm glad I tried that style, but it was, perhaps, too unfitted? That weird wrinkling at the upper chest still drives me nuts whenever I wear that dress. The ties give the dress some shape at the waist, but it's still sack-y. Which is totally fine, since that is the style it's meant to be, but it wasn't quite the thing for the elusive Perfect Everyday Dress.
The Robin Dress though! It IS the Perfect Everyday Dress. It has a lovely shape, yet is not tightly fitted. It has a wonderful full skirt that twirls and enables me to hike or run or jump or dance to my hearts content. It has pockets! It does, however, require the unhappy task of making many buttonholes for the full length button opening but that has forced me to try to get better at making machine made buttonholes. It is unlined, which makes it super lightweight and comfy and gives me an excuse to use my serger, which is always fun. The bias at the neckline and skirt hem gives me the opportunity to use up fun scraps and finishes off the edges beautifully. And it is a fast dress to sew - this one I made in 2 days, and my 2nd one (with sleeves!) took me 3 days, sewing on it a little each day.
I did make a few adjustments to the pattern. First, I shortened the waistline 1" since I am slightly short waisted. I probably didn't have to do this, looking at the finished garment, but it wasn't a bad idea to shorten it. I cut the size 34 with the medium bust pieces and had to refit the bodice area a little. While my measurements fit that size, I just. . .can't wear a bra anymore. So, my boobs hang low, guys. And this pattern is made for someone who has a higher, supported bustline. After stitching this dress together at the seams and trying it on I had to decide: wear a bra with it, or refit the bodice?
Alyssa of Sewing Goatherd advised me to do the narrow upper chest adjustment that would give me the fit I wanted. I am so glad I took her advice! I ended up taking almost an inch out of each side of the upper chest and the same below the full bust point, tapering out to the regular width by the time I reached the pockets. The fit is just right now and I can happily wear it with no bra. 😂 I traced my alterations on the main pattern pieces and my next dress fit perfectly without any need of adjustments. (I will have photos and a post for that one, soon!)
Since I refitted the bodice after the pieces were already cut out, the armscyes were affected. I couldn't set in the sleeves I had cut so I decided to simply omit the sleeves and finished the armholes, cut slightly deeper, with bias in the same manner I finished the neckline and hem. The dress makes a great sleeveless gown but also works as a jumper dress over any kind of blouse. For these pictures, I'm wearing it with a pink polyester peasant blouse I got from the 10 cent rack at St. Vincents last summer.
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it's blurry but hey! I'm happy. :D |
I haven't liked a pattern so much for a long time! I'm so glad I got this one.
Much love,
Sarah