Hi Guys! Happy New Year!! I meant to get this post in before the end of the year, but you know, life happens, and blogging doesn't. LOL. I still have so many things to post about! I may just do some short and sweet, heavy on the pictures posts, so I can get them out there. I'm terribly behind with reading blogs too. I took a peak at my Bloglovin' feed yesterday and I think I'm something like 26 days behind. Eeeeepp!! Now I'm even more intimidated to catch up! I'll get there someday..... maybe.....
Anyway, here are my Sew Over It Heather dresses! I first spotted this dress on Lisa Comfort's instagram feed (I think, it may have been Sew Over It's feed) and I loved it. But at the time, she hadn't released the pattern for it yet. So when Sew Over It announced the pattern release back in late October, I jumped on it. Not only does this dress share my name, it's super comfy and snuggly, and the perfect everyday dress.
I made my first version out of a french terry that I had in my stash. I'm pretty sure it came from Out of Hand in Calgary. In hindsight, it probably wasn't stretchy enough, but I thought the weight was perfect and at the very least, it would work for a wearable muslin.
I started with the long sleeve version in a size 14, and shortened both the sleeves and body by 2 inches.
As you can see, it's a little tight across the bust and, the hips/butt. Plus the french terry seems to stick to everything. When I wear leggings with this bad boy, it's kind of a twisty mess. Ha ha! I did manage to wear it a couple of times before it got really cold with bare legs and it was much better. I probably would be okay with regular tights too, but anyway.
I was little worried about wearing a solid coloured dress, but I think this pattern really works in a solid colour. It has those nice princess seams and the pockets are really cool too. Anyway, even though this version had a few fit issues, I really love the style, so it was a no brainer to make another one.
I hummed and hawed about fabric, but finally settled on this beautiful liverpool knit from LA Finch Fabrics. I had no idea what a liverpool knit was when I ordered this fabric, but when I got it, I was pleasantly surprised. I would describe it as a really stretchy scuba, with an almost crepe-y, bumpy texture. It worked perfectly for this dress.
I don't look overly happy in these pictures, but I assure you, I love this dress! I'm still getting used to taking photos indoors, and by myself with the tri-pod, so there's that too. Ha ha!
So for this version, I went with the size 14 again, but with 3/4 length sleeves. I also shortened the body another 1 inch, so 3 inches total.
So with a stretchier knit you can see the fit is much better. It still looks like I might need a sway back adjustment, but that could also be how I'm standing, and/or the dress hung up on my leggings.
I love those pockets. This pattern again, has 5/8" seam allowances (just like all the other Sew Over It patterns I've sewn so far), so that makes it a bit tricky to construct with only a serger. And really the way the pockets go together, you probably want to at least baste all the front pieces together with your regular machine and then take it to the serger.
I haven't made anymore Heather Dresses, yet, but I totally have plans too. They're a quick sew, super easy to wear, and fairly stylish in my opinion. 😊
Hope the New Year is treating you well so far!