Sometimes its just fun to try a new designer, right? I have this rather embarrassingly large collection of patterns... PDF and paper. For a while I had two emails attached to my paypal too, so sometimes I would buy the same pattern on both emails not realizing I already had it. This pattern is a new designer for me, who I had (a) heard lots of positive things about and (b) had previously shopped on her website. A new friend asked if I had sewn any of her patterns, and it was sort of the perfect slap upside the head to get me out of this weird haze I've been in the last couple days. Sewing is usually so cathartic for me, but I've had so much on my mind, I just couldn't seem to sit still to work! So thanks... and you all get my fun review of the
Go To Signature Dress from the lovely
Go To Patterns.
The details:
Sizes 12mo thru 12yrs
Three lengths: tunic, dress, maxi
Seven sleeve options: long, short, cap (binding/elastic/hemmed), ruffle, flutter.
Hood option
Four pocket options: inset, ribbed, gathered, and kangaroo
Optional elastic casing for bodice.
Templates for elbow patches and applique
Okay, before I keep going - there are SO MANY combinations for this one, I was sort of floored. I printed all the pages out and glued them all together (I'm sort of obsessed with my glue sticks lately), and stared at them trying to decided which one I wanted to to make. The pattern pieces all went together easily and everything is clearly labeled so you know what to cut for each option you want. In the end, I just cut everything out and gave up on decision making...
I started with the maxi length, ruffle sleeve (by the way, if you do this without a layer below it, you'll need to hem the rest of the sleeve opening), and I did the elastic casing. I was actually really excited about the elastic. It's all nicely enclosed, so Miss Sensitive wouldn't flip out over the elastic being against her skin.
Inara is a pretty standard size 5, and I made the size 5 in this going off of the size chart - its perfect. The length is great - ankles, but not too long so that she trips. And the fit is awesome - loose and flowy, but doesn't hang off of her at all.
I used about a yard of jersey fabric for this one, since the skirt isn't wide it easily fit. The sleeves are in a cotton lycra and the neck binding is a ribbing. From cutting to snipping threads, this dress took about an hour, so really, if you're pressed for time - this should totally be in your pattern collection. So then I decided I wanted to see what the knee length came out like.
It's Inara approved. For this one I did the knee length, cap sleeve ( I did a lettuce type hem on the sleeve) and did the hood and the kangaroo pocket with it. I decided to leave off the casing on this one because I made it out of stretch terry so she can wear it as a beach cover up, and I thought the casing might be a pain to mess with at the beach.
This is my favorite pose of the night. She's such a weirdo. She totally loved it though, and I like how even without the elastic on the bodice, it still fits nicely. She totally missed the point though, and goes "MOM, its like a TOWEL - I'm gonna wear it after the shower!!" So I guess she'll need another... and I'll probably have to make Connor one too so he's not all jealous.... are bath cover-ups unisex? Sew time on this version: also about an hour. Taking out the elastic saved some time, but adding the hood and the kangaroo pocket balanced it back out. I had a yard of the pink terry, and I have some useable sizes leftovers from it, and the hood and pocket just took a small amount of the polka dot.
Last, but not least - the tunic length, with flutter sleeve, gathered pocket, and elastic casing on the outside. This one took scrap pieces of the cotton/lycra Alice print (all I had left, but Inara begged for something in it) and the main print was the last of this lovely interlock I had found at the Goodwill (seriously, it was like 2yds worth for $1.99 and then 50% off that... anyways, it matched everything and I'm sad I'm out of it!).
Of course she is totally in love with the pockets. I may go back and stick inset pockets on the maxi dress, since by the time I got to this one, I realized just how much she loves pockets. The tunic length is just perfect too - covers her tush, so its perfect for wear with leggings.
Thoughts on the pattern? It's extremely detailed. All of the different options are explained clearly, and there are extra tips throughout on changing it up (like how to make the elastic casing look pretty on the outside of the top). The instructions are easy to follow, though personally, the two columns of instructions flusters me, because I have to scroll up and down and I'm afraid I'll miss something (I know that's silly, but we all have our idiosyncrasies, right?). The detailing at the neckline is extremely feminine and gives a really nice look to the finished dress.
If you're newer to knits, you will especially love all of the explanation provided about choosing fabrics and which stitches to use. So if you're new and nervous, you can do a nice basic version, and do more with more of the cool add-ons as you get more confident with knits.
I really enjoyed sewing this one, and each version took about an hour from the point I finished staring sadly at my dwindling stash, to the point that I snipped those pesky leftover threads. So in a house where time is always a hot commodity, this dress gets plus points. And, I just love all of the options that the dress has! I can't wait for fall so I can do the layered sleeves with it too.
I'm already trying to decide which
Go To Pattern to sew up next. Maybe something for Connor? That Study Hall Jacket looks ah-mazing!
Anyway, thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the review, and let me know if I missed anything!
