Last week I shared two other patterns I’ve tested for E+M Patterns (here and here). This week I am UBER excited to share THE dress!!
The Secret Garden Dress is a collaboration between Allison of E+M Patterns and Deb of Sprouting Jube Jube.
Just because I feel like telling you all, I went to highschool with Deb’s younger sister although we (her sister and I) never spoke to each other back then partly because I was super duper shy. I am just merely shy now, ha. Deb and I started talking on Facebook sometime in the past year after running into each other a lot in different pattern testing groups. We live close by each other but haven’t actually met in person. Deb first showed me a sneak peek of this pattern in the works way back in March and now you know why I’m super duper excited about this release. It’s been a long time coming!!
This pattern is geared towards intermediate level sewists. There’s a zipper, a bit of hand sewing and curves to deal with. I consider myself somewhere between an adventurous beginner and an intermediate sewist/seamstress. I’ve done a few zippers, made a few dresses but haven’t quite perfected anything. But look! I did it! The back is super gorgeous and this dress is definitely worth the extra bit of work.
The pattern has two views. The “bow” back (which I tested) and a simple version.
It’s pretty from the front too!
Silly Bean did such a good job modelling this one. Once again bribing her by letting her wear my vintage clip on earrings worked. 😉
 |
| My side zip was supposed to be invisible, lol, but not too shabby for my first invisible zipper! |
 |
| Checking out her “butterfly” wings |
The “bows” are actually part of the skirt overlay. Which are then tacked in place to create the bow/butterfly wing effect.
I sewed up the size 4 for my 4-year-old, her chest measurement is closer to the size 3 but she has wide-ish shoulders, and the size 4 lays perfectly on her shoulders. Anyway, I ♥ ♥ ♥ this dress! Like I said before, it’s geared more for intermediate level sewists but I don’t think it would be too hard for someone with just a little sewing experience to tackle. (But maybe not for your first zipper attempt?) But Deb and Allison are both available for help should you get stuck on a step.
Pattern details:
- Sizes 2 to 10 (chest sizes 20″ to 27.5″)
- Intermediate level with clear instructions and photos
- A Before You Begin Sewing checklist! (Thought that was a nice addition)
- Charts including: fabric requirements and child measurements
- Features: simple, high neckline, deep V in back, gorgeous bow detail (if doing that version), side zipper
- Also includes a colouring page to help you design your dress!
Both purples are Kona cotton (but can’t remember which ones specifically they are)
The floral is Piccadilly Lane by Henry Glass. All fabrics were purchased from Fabric.com, although the Piccadilly Lane is from 2012 so not sure if it’s still available.
Some more tester versions can be seen on the following blogs:
Amy at SewsNBows
Connie at Cranberry Ridge Design
Melissa at Rebel & Malice
Fatima at Conversas de Hermanas
AND don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
Thanks Ula 🙂 love what you did witht the dress and Silly Bean is so adorable! Ummmm and yeah, we have to do something about actually meeting up!
Yes for sure we should meet up sometime! 🙂
Wonderful giveaway! I love this dress so much, my daughter may only be in 9mo clothing but I’m itching to have something ready for when she hits 2T!
She’ll be there before you know it! :/ It’s a great pattern, my daughter gets lots of compliments everytime she wears it 🙂
Thanks to all for this wonderful giveaway!
You’re welcome and good luck! 🙂
Thank you so much Ula, love your colour choices, they look amazing together.
An adorable dress, Ula!