Pattern Review: Brueram Dress from Sofilantjes

I have a special place in my heart for Anne and Sofilantjes patterns.  I tested her first pattern, and various ones up to now, and I have found her to be kind and receptive in every test.  She listens to her testers and discusses proposed changes with us, and really makes you feel like part of a team.

So this new dress... is just beautifully done.  Meet the Brueram:

The details:

Sizes 12mo - 14yrs (designed for non-developing chests)
Three skirt options: top, dress, maxi (top and maxi use cutting chart for pieces)
Instructions for shirred or elastic casing for the back.
Made for Woven fabrics
Lined bodice and enclosed bodice seams.

The version directly above is the maxi.  I used a pretty shirting fabric I found at Joann's that just screamed SUMMER at me.  And Inara is totally in love with it.  The instructions were clear and easy to follow along.  They may seem out of order if you've never shirred before, but the way the dress is constructed nicely encloses the bodice seams AND locks the shirring in at the sides.

The straps are part of the front bodice piece and are angled to meet at the mid back.  The amount of stretch to the bodice allowed Inara to get in and out on her own.  I chose to shirr both of my dresses, because one I learned how, I really like doing it.  And amazingly, I've found that it doesn't itch Miss Sensitive skin, like I thought it would.

**I have a brother, if you do too, make sure you tighten the tension on the bobbin case like one full turn before shirring.. and don't forget to turn it back when you are done!

What I love: I love the multiple skirt options, and I think my absolute favorite part - the wide straps!  The straps are wide enough that the dress meets the dress code requirement for Inara's school, so she has pretty, light summer dresses to wear as it warms up!

What I'd change:  I think for time's sake, I might make the next dress with the maxi width measurements and the length more a standard dress.  I love the style of the faux-wrap skirt, but there is something immensely satisfying about a super-fast gorgeous sew!

It's a little hard to tell in my multi-colored batik, but the skirt of the dress version is done in a faux-wrap style that adds just a hint of whimsy to the pattern, and I totally love it.

The dress is on sale right now in the Sofilantjes Shop for $5... and it's worth that and more!  And once you grab it, if you join the Sofilantjes Sew and Show Facebook Group there are a bunch of really friendly people to help and chat with and show off your Brueram!

MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour - Estherlyn's Jumper

Hi! Welcome to day three of the MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour!

I was lucky enough to test the Love Bird Dress a couple monthds ago, and was really impressed with Linda's patterns, so when she said "blog tour?" I jumped on it.  And today I am going to show you a couple versions of Estherlyn's Jumper.
 

First, the details:
Sizes: 3m through 10yrs
Fully or partially lined options.
Made for woven fabrics
Buttons at shoulders
Cute Asymmetrical Apron
Multiple pocket/applique options included.

First up, the more traditional one... this one I used some Riley Blake and Michael Miller fabrics that have sat in my stash for ... well over a year... probably closer to two years, waiting for the *right* pattern.  I think I found it!

This is the fully lined version, with the apron and I used the included patch pocket that was included. From start to finish, this pattern took under two hours to complete, and I am totally thrilled with it.  Inara is at the top of the range for the size 6, so I did a size 7 with a size 6 length.

Inara's chest is 24.5", and the size 6 says 24" chest and size 7 says 26".  So I she probably could have had a more fitted look with the size 6, but as it is, it is just loose enough to wear a sleeved shirt underneath, since it's still cool here, it's perfect!

After finishing that one, I decided I wanted to show off another way the pattern could look.  So after a ton of browsing around on the Whimsical Fabric site, I picked a couple prints from the Sidewalks Line.  And then after (very little) more waffling, I added on some more of the Ruffle-Rac that I am totally obsessed with, and a couple of Riley Blake Buttons.  Okay, supplies all gathered... here's where I went with it:

Same dress... different look!  This is the partially lined version - so lighter for summer and beach wear... but still encloses all of the bodice seams nicely.  And I left off the apron, and instead added some ruffle-rac long the bodice.  *Squeal* I love it!!

 And used some of the included appliques, and the buttons I ordered, to add a cute detail to the bottom of the pattern.

I think together it creates the sweetest little summer dress.  And leaving the apron off, it took even less time to sew and still looks fantastic!  I had so much fun with this pattern. It's so fun to customize and the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

What I liked: The fit is spot on, the partial and full linings are both well written and enclose all the seams that would otherwise itch the heck out of Inara.  I LOVE how fast it is to sew, and the ability to highlight fabrics.

What I'd change:  I think the length is a little longer than I'd like to see for Inara, even though I did the size 6 length, Inara is at the bottom of the range for the size 6, so if I want a shorter look, I know to cut the 5 length for the next one.  That said, the measurements match the finished chart perfectly, so its not the pattern!

Through April 25th, all of the MCM patterns are 25% off.  They are already marked down in her Craftsy Shop and in her Big Cartel Shop use the code SPRINGSALE25.  I highly recommend both this and the Love Bird.  I haven't made the Ginger Snap yet, but some of the other bloggers have posted it, and I am totally in love!

And after that, make sure you check out the MCM Studio Designs blog.  Why? Well, first, so you can get the links to check out all of the other awesome bloggers.  And second, to find out how to enter to win a pattern of your choice!

Thanks for stopping by!