Wow - in less than 24 hours, my initial goal to turn The Sorrel Dress into a paper pattern was fully funded! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has backed the campaign. I was pretty lost for words last week...
Because my goal was funded almost straight away, that unlocked my first stretch goal to turn the Pippi Pinafore into a paper pattern, and you can now pre-order your paper Pippi Pinafore through my Kickstarter campaign. My next stretch goal will be released once I hit the $8000NZD mark, and I'm not too far off, eek!
As promised, here is the first (of 4) groups of mini-interviews with my Sorrel Dress Testers. Testers were sent the initial pattern, provided feedback and then made a second Sorrel (which you're seeing here) after all pattern adjustments were made.
In their interviews they talk about any additional pattern changes they made to get the fit you're seeing on them, as well as talking a little bit about who they would recommend Sorrel too etc. So, without further ado...
1. What is your current favourite sewing technique and your current favourite fabric to work with?
My favourite sewing technique really depends on whatever mood I'm in. Currently that's sewing really crisp, sharp lines such as collars using my favourite method from Foursquarewalls or buttonholes on my lovely Janome which, since I upgraded has been a game changer. Funny then that I should use snaps for my Sorrel but I always have been fickle.
Difficult to choose my favourite fabric but I think it's tencel. I made a pair of Emerson crop pants from a lovely khaki coloured tencel and they are so soft, don't wrinkle easily and have the perfect amount of drape. They have been worn lots! A word of warning though, if tencel gets wet (as mine did at the beach) it goes stiff as cardboard! I felt like I was wearing drainpipes until it dried out!
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
I love the versatility of it. It can be worn dresses up or casual and is perfect for winter layered up with tights and boots or just sandals for warmer days like you see here. Lately I've been really focussing on adding beautifully constructed, versatile pieces to my wardrobe which will stand the test of time as I replace worn out or poor quality RTW items from my wardrobe. Sorrel is one such piece!
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
None! The fir on this pattern is pretty forgiving with the kimono sleeve and amount of ease. The waistline is a tad higher than my natural waistline, but I like it that way as the skirt skims my hips more.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
Anyone and everyone. The Sorrel Dress would look great on all different body types and suits a variety of tastes depending on what fabric is used and how it's styled. What are you waiting for? Go grab the pattern now!
1. What is your current favourite sewing technique and your current favourite fabric to work with?
I love to push myself to learn new techniques to make my garments beautiful inside and out. I started doing lapped zippers this year and I love them - such an elegant finish!
I am loving cotton sateen at the moment - I made my version of the Sorrel Dress out of two different cotton sateens. It's a dream to work with, presses nicely and is lovely to wear.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
I love the pockets and how the collar sits. I also think that having the different cup sizes is really useful to help people make a better fitting dress.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I didn't make any changes, I am considering lengthening the bodice darts just a touch next time though.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
I think it is a great all rounder, and can be dressed up or down. If you make it in a stable fabric like cotton or linen, it should suit a confident beginner. If you make it in a slippery fabric like rayon, you will need to be confident with the darts etc as they will be harder to do.
1. What is your current favourite sewing technique and your current favourite fabric to work with?
French seams are my current favourite sewing technique. I like how they encourage me to slow down and take my time with a make, being mindful if you like, and producing a garment that's just as beautiful on the insides as the out.
Due to entering the autumn here in the UK, knit fabric is my current favourite to work with. I'm currently making all the snuggly and warm tops, jumpers and cardigans.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
The Sorrel Dress has many features I really like. I love a V neck for its flattering neckline and the foldout collar is perfect and a simple sew. I like the kimono sleeves, I think they give the dress a casual looks and most of all its very comfortable and easy to wear.
I also love the fact that cup sizes are included, making the fitting better.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I lengthened the skirt portion of the dress by 2 inches. Having to run around after three small children and a dog I feel more comfortable in slightly longer skirts/dresses, saving my blushes!
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
The Sorrel Dress comes together really easily and quickly, with well set out and easy to follow instructions, so I would definitely recommend it to everyone, even beginner sewists.
It's perfect if you love shirt dresses, which I do, especially if you're after one with a casual vintage style, that's comfy and easy to wear. I really love that depending on your fabric choice, it also give a different look. My initial tester version was in a linen which gave it a more structured, fitted feel. My second version was made from a viscose and gave a more relaxed, flowing silhouette.
1. What is your current favourite sewing technique and your current favourite fabric to work with?
My current favourite sewing technique is French Seams and my favourite fabrics are currently silks or rayons.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
I like the neckline with the option to make the facing a different coloured fabric to make it pop.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I lengthened the bodice by 3cm and the skirt by 5cm as I am a tall girl. No other changes were needed with the A cup option.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
I'd recommend the Sorrel Dress to advanced beginners.
1. What is your current favourite sewing technique and your current favourite fabric to work with?
My newly discovered technique is using a rotary cutter to cut knit fabric. I say 'newly discovered technique/ because up until the time that I purchased a coverstitch machine, I kept away from sewing with knit fabric because I never got the finish I desired. Having said this, my favourite fabrics to sew with are natural fabrics like linen and dupion silk.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
The Sorrel Dress was particularly easy to complete. The instructions were clear, and the printing of the pattern is a feature I particularly liked as I could print different features separately.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I made an abdominal adjustment and a tummy adjustment.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
I would recommend this pattern to all levels. A quick and easy dress to complete for an experiences sewer. Different fabrics give the dress a different look - both of the fabrics I used were from my vintage stash.
Thank you Testers! Check back at the end of the week for Part 2.
xx
J
Because my goal was funded almost straight away, that unlocked my first stretch goal to turn the Pippi Pinafore into a paper pattern, and you can now pre-order your paper Pippi Pinafore through my Kickstarter campaign. My next stretch goal will be released once I hit the $8000NZD mark, and I'm not too far off, eek!
In their interviews they talk about any additional pattern changes they made to get the fit you're seeing on them, as well as talking a little bit about who they would recommend Sorrel too etc. So, without further ado...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Size 12
My favourite sewing technique really depends on whatever mood I'm in. Currently that's sewing really crisp, sharp lines such as collars using my favourite method from Foursquarewalls or buttonholes on my lovely Janome which, since I upgraded has been a game changer. Funny then that I should use snaps for my Sorrel but I always have been fickle.
Difficult to choose my favourite fabric but I think it's tencel. I made a pair of Emerson crop pants from a lovely khaki coloured tencel and they are so soft, don't wrinkle easily and have the perfect amount of drape. They have been worn lots! A word of warning though, if tencel gets wet (as mine did at the beach) it goes stiff as cardboard! I felt like I was wearing drainpipes until it dried out!
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
I love the versatility of it. It can be worn dresses up or casual and is perfect for winter layered up with tights and boots or just sandals for warmer days like you see here. Lately I've been really focussing on adding beautifully constructed, versatile pieces to my wardrobe which will stand the test of time as I replace worn out or poor quality RTW items from my wardrobe. Sorrel is one such piece!
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
None! The fir on this pattern is pretty forgiving with the kimono sleeve and amount of ease. The waistline is a tad higher than my natural waistline, but I like it that way as the skirt skims my hips more.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
Anyone and everyone. The Sorrel Dress would look great on all different body types and suits a variety of tastes depending on what fabric is used and how it's styled. What are you waiting for? Go grab the pattern now!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Size 6
I love to push myself to learn new techniques to make my garments beautiful inside and out. I started doing lapped zippers this year and I love them - such an elegant finish!
I am loving cotton sateen at the moment - I made my version of the Sorrel Dress out of two different cotton sateens. It's a dream to work with, presses nicely and is lovely to wear.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
I love the pockets and how the collar sits. I also think that having the different cup sizes is really useful to help people make a better fitting dress.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I didn't make any changes, I am considering lengthening the bodice darts just a touch next time though.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
I think it is a great all rounder, and can be dressed up or down. If you make it in a stable fabric like cotton or linen, it should suit a confident beginner. If you make it in a slippery fabric like rayon, you will need to be confident with the darts etc as they will be harder to do.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Size 16
French seams are my current favourite sewing technique. I like how they encourage me to slow down and take my time with a make, being mindful if you like, and producing a garment that's just as beautiful on the insides as the out.
Due to entering the autumn here in the UK, knit fabric is my current favourite to work with. I'm currently making all the snuggly and warm tops, jumpers and cardigans.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
The Sorrel Dress has many features I really like. I love a V neck for its flattering neckline and the foldout collar is perfect and a simple sew. I like the kimono sleeves, I think they give the dress a casual looks and most of all its very comfortable and easy to wear.
I also love the fact that cup sizes are included, making the fitting better.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I lengthened the skirt portion of the dress by 2 inches. Having to run around after three small children and a dog I feel more comfortable in slightly longer skirts/dresses, saving my blushes!
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
The Sorrel Dress comes together really easily and quickly, with well set out and easy to follow instructions, so I would definitely recommend it to everyone, even beginner sewists.
It's perfect if you love shirt dresses, which I do, especially if you're after one with a casual vintage style, that's comfy and easy to wear. I really love that depending on your fabric choice, it also give a different look. My initial tester version was in a linen which gave it a more structured, fitted feel. My second version was made from a viscose and gave a more relaxed, flowing silhouette.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Size 10
My current favourite sewing technique is French Seams and my favourite fabrics are currently silks or rayons.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
I like the neckline with the option to make the facing a different coloured fabric to make it pop.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I lengthened the bodice by 3cm and the skirt by 5cm as I am a tall girl. No other changes were needed with the A cup option.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
I'd recommend the Sorrel Dress to advanced beginners.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Size 24
My newly discovered technique is using a rotary cutter to cut knit fabric. I say 'newly discovered technique/ because up until the time that I purchased a coverstitch machine, I kept away from sewing with knit fabric because I never got the finish I desired. Having said this, my favourite fabrics to sew with are natural fabrics like linen and dupion silk.
2. What features do you like about Sorrel?
The Sorrel Dress was particularly easy to complete. The instructions were clear, and the printing of the pattern is a feature I particularly liked as I could print different features separately.
3. What pattern changes did you make to your particular dress?
I made an abdominal adjustment and a tummy adjustment.
4. Who would you recommend Sorrel too?
I would recommend this pattern to all levels. A quick and easy dress to complete for an experiences sewer. Different fabrics give the dress a different look - both of the fabrics I used were from my vintage stash.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thank you Testers! Check back at the end of the week for Part 2.
xx
J
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