I have in my stash an old pattern from Prima magazine for a shift dress.

I have made this up several times and with each make I adapt the pattern in some way. I have changed the sleeves from cap to short or 3/4 length, short puffed or long into a button cuff, changed the neckline from shallow scoop to scoop or scalloped and also changed the hemline from straight to frilled, double frilled, scalloped and bias frilled. I have used a variety of fabrics from plain cottons, mix and match prints, embroidered linens, taffeta & lace overlay, stretch cotton blends and jerseys. My next make will be using a Leopard-print jersey fabric from Fabricland in Basingstoke. I will add a bias hem frill and 3/4 length narrow sleeves. With a bit of luck and a following wind I will have the dress completed and be able to wear with Black tights and shoes to the preview of my friend’s Art Exhibition on Saturday!

At long last the pinafore dress according to Butterick B5781 is finished. The pattern has separate pieces for different cup sizes which should have made the fitting easier but unfortunately did not. However, I am pleased with the end result which is pictured below.

                                        Front view                Back view

You will notice that I did not pipe the back princess seams as after all the fittings I was becoming a little disenchanted with the project! The neckline is sufficiently low and the bodice sufficiently loose-fitting that I am able to put the dress on as a pullover. I did however fit a zip which I machined and hand-picked (as per the Great British Sewing Bee programme aired just last night).

Can you see the zip?

The bodice is fully lined with the cotton fabric and if I were to make the pattern again I would reduce the lining and make a facing instead as I found a full lining in self-fabric to be too bulky. Now I need some really cold weather so that I can wear the pinafore with a polo neck sweater and thick tights!

I am currently working on a pinafore dress to be made (eventually) using a lovely wool tweed donated by a friend. I have not made this pattern before and like so many of you, I hesitate to cut into new fabric until I am absolutely sure that the finished garment will fit. Thus has begun the journey of first checking my measurements, adjusting the pattern and making a toile. Having made the toile and fitted for the first time, I then adjusted the princess seams over the bust and side seams to improve the fit. Second fitting of the toile was fine so I amended the pattern and cut out – but again still hesitating to use the wool tweed I used a bold patterned heavy-weight cotton which, if all goes well, will look great over a tee shirt with co-ordinating coloured tights. I have sewn the bodice and inserted some narrow Red satin piping into the princess seams of the front. Third fitting needed some fine adjustment and again amended the pattern so now I am happy with the fit of the bodice. Next is to stitch the skirt and insert the zip.