My June Minerva Make – Zig Zag Dress
This month’s project for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network is Simplicity 1610 in red and cream zig zag striped fabric from the Playground Collection of quilting fabrics. The red is very orangey, but that means it goes really well with my new sandals which are also meant to be red but seem to be more orange! Bonus!
Pockets!
I chose this pattern because I was looking for something that would work well with a striped fabric. I knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge to pattern match, but I managed to match up the stripes at the side seams, lower princess seams and across the centre back.
Pattern-matching across seams!
The bodice of the dress is lined with plain cream polycotton. The pattern doesn’t call for a skirt lining, and although I would have liked to add one in, I didn’t have any lining fabric at the time of sewing so I didn’t bother. Because of the colours I can’t see me wearing this dress in the winter anyway.
Husband trying different camera angles!
I really like the fit of the bodice of this dress, and can see me using it again. I’m not sure if I like the skirt pattern, though. I’ve gone off gathered waistlines because they add too much bulk around the waist, and I’ve realised circle skirts are impractical if it’s a bit windy, which it nearly always is here. I’m leaning more towards a-line skirts, and thought this might fit the bill. I’ll have to see how it feels when I wear it properly – these photos were just of me trying it on for a short while. In any case, I do like the built-in pockets!
Simplicity 1610
Perhaps the most pleasing thing about making this was that I managed to get it made in a school day. I had already cut the fabric, but I started sewing it around half nine and it was done with time to spare before I had to go and pick up my daughter (my son was at nursery for the day). I can’t remember the last time I started and finished something in the same day – it was a good feeling!
The back
Thank you to Minerva for sending me the things I needed: the pattern, zip, fabric and bodice lining.
I love this! And due to the pleats, and not gathers, I really don’t think it adds bulk at all. That pattern matching most have taken some doing!
Thanks Lucie. I don’t think it looks bulky either but I’m just not sure it’s quite right for me!
A mastery of stripe matching! Love the pockets
The pockets are good. They’re a bit like the Sewaholic Crescent skirt pockets and Cambie dress ☺
Excellent stripe matching! Like Lucie says I don’t think the pleats add bulk at all, it’s very flattering.
Thanks Sam. I will have to see how I feel when I’m wearing it properly!
I am amazed that you matched the stripes across all the princess seams! This looks lovely and fits so well
Louise
To be honest I’m also pretty amazed I managed it, and even the pockets match too!
Total sewing win!
Wow! The patterning matching is fab! Well done, and the style looks great. I agree with Lucie in that it doesn’t add bulk 😃
Thank you ☺
I really like this dress. It’s a great fit!
Thanks. It’s a good pattern and it has lots of other options too.
You did a wonderful job, and with the pattern matching especially. It looks great on you. I will be adding this pattern to my wish list. Thanks! 🙂
Thanks Erika!
Your dress is lovely, and what great pattering matching! I’m a fan of S1610 (wearing my version as I type!), I really like the shape of the skirt. It reminds me of the skirt on the Deer and Doe Belladone dress.
Excellent! Yeah the pockets are similar to the Belladone, definitely!