for anyone watching in the UK - it's much much cheaper to get style arc patterns sent here from Australia than it is to buy in the shops, with discount codes I just picked up three for £30, including delivery. Just remember that they don't have the same seam allowances as UK patterns. Also that neckline is just so so pretty, you've fit it beautifully.
@@oakavonThe thing you really need to know is to look at the seam allowances on the pattern itself. The arm and neck on this one is 5mm with other seams being 10mm. Ignore their instructions and look for the burrito method and other techniques on youtube, the instructions for the split on this one make no sense until you watch someone else do a split to be honest.
I’ve just made two versions of the Charlie kaftan: the maxi and the mini versions with gathers. I really like them both and they sewed up easily apart from the challenge of the front panel. I recommend watching all the RU-vid tutorials first. I’m just looking for some suitable plain linen to sew up the third version with folds. I recommend the Waves and Wild Kinjarling dress which has a similar bodice with grown on sleeves and then a full gathered skirt with a gorgeous sash and cute side pockets which stick out slightly and are a nice subtle feature.
I have heard about the front panel being a bit of a challenge so i will definitely look at videos before trying it! The Kinjarling dress looks so lovely - one I can imagine reaching for all summer long!
A great video Amelia all your dresses are so beautiful and the patterns you recommend look good i will look them up, thank you for sharing your beautiful makes they are so professional and your fit is always perfect on you x
Thank you Caroline, I am glad you enjoyed seeing all the dresses. I think sewing has given me confidence to try new dresses that I might not previously have chosen in rtw shops.
Very enjoyable video. I love sundresses! All of your dresses are beautiful! That smocking you did on the Molly dress is awesome. I’ve made 4 summer dresses so far and many more to come. I’m finding myself using some of my older patterns I’m talking 10 years maybe that I hadn’t made. They are turning out beautifully! Always enjoy your videos. Happy summer sewing! 👗🧵🪡🥰
Thank you so much Sharon. I really enjoyed doing some smocking for myself. I am so glad your summer makes are turning out so well. It is so nice returning to older patterns in our collections, isn't it!
I made the maxi version of the Charlie caftan in a Lady McElroy viscose. It was my go to dress last summer. The amount of ease is generous and I made a straight size even though my waist and hips would have been the next size up. It will be too big when summer hits again but I'll definitely make another. So many beautiful dress patterns and most of them I would happily make.
That is so interesting to hear about the sizing for the caftan and I will bear that in mind if I make it! I am so glad you enjoyed the selection of dresses in the video.
Hi Amelia, this selection of dresses certainly covers all the bases for a great summer wardrobe. The dress you are wearing is wonderful and styled beautifully with your magic shoes. Happy summer to you and the family. Here in Adelaide - it’s been a wet beginning to winter but looking forward to some crisp dry days. I also follow Janelle and while her sewing videos are fantastic, I’m currently loving her Japanese content. 🇦🇺🦘
Thank you Kaye, I am glad you like the selection. I am really enjoying Janelle's Japanese content too. Such an interesting country and one I have never visited!
I love the Matilda Dress. Maybe not a sundress, but still so cute. I have made it into just a top also, which is such fun for the Summer. I really enjoy your videos and look so forward to each and every one.🥰
Great video, thanks Amelia. Great to hear about the bust cup options for the last dress 😊. A definite bonus. Love notions also have a full bust/regular bust option for most of their patterns, so tend to be a go to for me. Fabulous patterns.
Isn't it so great when pattern companies offer so any bust cup sizes! I am really keen to try a Love Notions pattern soon. Thanks so much for watching!
Another excellent video. Thank you, Amelia. I vote for the Shay dress to be bumped up on the Makes list but I am a little biased. Love the Acton Dress from In the Folds! Summer needs to be longer with so many wonderful sundresses out there.
Thank you so much Sonia! I have already sent the Shay dress off to the print shop and cannot wait to get started on it soon!! I would have summer all year long if I could, especially with all these beautiful dresses to sew!
Summer dresses are probably my favorite thing to sew! Your Laura Ashley dress is lovely. The Kew Dress and the Charlie Caftan are two I've admired but not made. Some I have made are the Helen's Closet Reynolds (love the square neckline), Liesl & Co Camp Shirtdress (classic and so easy to wear), and Closet Core Elodie (twirly!). I have plans to make a BHL Hannah, Closet Core Crew Periwinkle and Azure, Fibre Mood Vanya, and Liesl and Co St. Germain dresses.
Thank you for watching, I am glad you liked the dress suggestions. I love the BHL Hannah and the Closet Core Crew Azure dress looks perfect for summer too!
Brilliant round up of gorgeous summer dresses. I’m in the process of making the Mabel top, just to get to grips with the shirring, then I’m making the dress version. There’s a few dress patterns you mentioned that I will be putting on my list.
I hope you enjoy making your Mabel! I enjoyed the shirring as there wasn't too much of it, and it makes it so comfortable to wear. I am glad you enjoyed all the suggestions in the video.
I thought I had made my decision on which dresses I am going to make, then you show me the style arc Pixie dress. Although I love the flouncy numbers on other people, I’m much more a simple shift dress girl! (Long time since I was a girl 😂) so a shift with a flounce sounds a perfect blend! Thanks for a great video as usual! Xx
Thank you so much for a a great video. I’d love to make the Mabel dress but I’m not sure if it would suit me…I wear a size G cup bra…so I think I would look very busty in it 😂. Also the price of the pattern put me off a bit. I really like most of the dresses you mentioned. I didn’t know about the re-release of the Laura Ashley design…yours is absolutely stunning. I also do very much like the sew over it Sienna dress from the Summer dreaming booklet and I’ve made the shirred bodice into a sun-top with a peplum. I’ve just bought the Shay dress pattern and I’m really exited about sewing it up ….I’m going to start with the sleeveless version ..but I can imagine lots of different versions….and of course the inclusion of cup sizes is a huge bonus.❤
Isn't the addition of all the cup sizes so wonderful! I have sent the pattern to the printer already and cannot wait to start on the Shay dress soon. I also love the look of the Sienna dress - the other patterns in that e-book also look so great for summer!
Your McCall's pattern dress and that fabric pairing is sublime. I absolutely love your version of it! Eagerly awaiting the pattern arrival in Aus! I've already bought the fabric for it, I'm that keen. I think we have similar taste because I have also bought the Know Me pattern...and the fabric for it 😅
On my way to the store to pick up the Charlie Caftan! Thank you- also I really love the fabric of the dress you are wearing in this video, do you mind sharing info about it? Thank you!
Lovely roundup. I noticed in your other vlog that we have the same pfaff machine. Please could you tell me your settings and tips for shirring on this machine as ive found it quite difficult myself. Thank you x
Thank you Crystal. I have found my Pfaff works really well with shirring. I never change any settings other than the width of the straight stitch. I leave the tension settings, (and all other settings) on automatic. I lengthen the stitch to between 4 and 4.5 for viscose, and 4.5 and 5.0 for cotton. I cut a length, measure, and make sure the shirred fabric is half the length of the original. The other thing is to make sure you don't put the bobbin elastic through the automatic feeder, but pull it up through the thread plate before sewing using the needle. Hopefully that helps?
I have just had a Kew dress fail, my straps were too short, are they cut on the fold? my pattern is just cut 2 but they were way too short. Please help 🙏🏻 Your dresses are beautiful btw xx
Thank you Sarah! I am not sure about the Kew dress straps - from memory mine were really long and I had to shorten them, so maybe they were cut on the fold? My pattern is in storage at the moment, because of the building works, so I can't check unfortunately!
