How to sew a Zimmermann linen dress for a quarter of the price! 

YESS go hard or go home right! My partner always says “you have put so much work in, don’t ruin it by taking the easy route now!” So maybe that’s where I got it from 😂😂 thank you so much, it really means a lot Samantha! 🥹

Thank you, I agree! I love my Zimmermann dresses and find the quality is great! The price is usually worth it, some items have been losing quality recently though 😣

I see your points and actually it is always worth to pay more to get a better quality. But if I obeserve their price development, I feel that they are WAY too overpriced. Why? Because they are able to half the price during sales. And I promisse, they won't make any losses either. So, if they can sell a Dress worth 800 Dollar for 400 Dollar and still make a profit. Then they definitley do not want us "NORMALOS" to afford it. p.s. according to their website, their clothings are mostly produced in china.

Very good points!!!

Thank you so much!! Omg right! Sometimes I’m like “hmm that’s expensive” and then I think about attaching all the trims and details they have on their designs and I go “ahh yes I see where the price came from now” 😂😂😂

Why did I not think of that!! 😂😅 I will definitely baste next time as your right, that will make it much easier! And now gives me an excuse to use trims again 🤗 I’m going to check my presser feet as I might have to pick up a welting foot for next time, it would have made it much quicker!! Thank you for your tips 😘

Omg thank you 😂😂😂🥰

Thank you Teresa! I hope you enjoy it! 🤗

Oh my gosh thank you! That’s so lovely 🤭

You are so sweet 🥹 thank you for watching!

Thank you so much Madeline!! This comment means a lot to me! I agree that the fabric really topped off this piece, I’m struggling to find something as suitable for a second version! 😣 thank you for your support and for subscribing!

@@behindtheseamswithjess You're so welcome - it's great to find talented people online to connect with and see what they create. You're very inspirational.

You are too lovely Madeline, I am loving our little chats across the videos! 🤗

Wow!! The algorithm has certainly matched us! 🤭 now I have to find another zim style fabric for the real tutorial 🥵🥵

Thank you!! 🥹🫶🏼

Thank you!! I will likely include instructions on how to extend the skirt panels as not everyone likes a mini length, thanks for the idea!!

@@behindtheseamswithjess ❤️❤️❤️

Yes agreed, just below the knee and a full circle skirt. I think that'd give the dress more elegance, it's reading cute and young with the shorter skirt.

I will definitely include those instructions as it will be easy to adjust 🤗

@@behindtheseamswithjess that’s great, because I would love tea length, so being able to adjust would be awesome.

Thank you so much 🥹🥹💕

Thank you SO MUCH! This comment is so lovely and I really appreciate you saying you liked my version!! It means a lot to me 🥰🤗🫶🏼

Thank you so much 🥹🥹

You’re so welcome!! And your comment means a lot knowing you’re a Zimmy fan! 🤗

Thank you so much 🥹 it’s certainly my favourite style!! I want to make it in 100 different fabrics! 😂

Thank you so much!! I can’t wait to release the pattern!

Omg pressure is on!! 😂😂 I will be as quick as possible! But it does take time 😣 trust me this dress is much easier than it looks! It’s very simple but I think the fabric and embellishments really make it look more difficult 🤭

Thank you so much! 🥰🥹

Thank you so much! 🥹

Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment after seeing it in the group! Love our sewing community 🥰

Thank you so much Joanna!! 🥰🥰

Thank you so much for your lovely comment!! Honestly the piping make it so much more fiddly 😂 although maybe basting it in place would help?

You are so lovely! Thank you for your kind comment and I love to hear it’s giving you some ideas!! 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Please make sure you show me when you make it! I would love to see it!!

I figured that may be the case! Good point regarding the binding, Overlocking the seams may be better! I just love the look of binding though! Thank you!!

@behindtheseamswithjess So do I. My teacher always said, "There is a point in construction where you can go too far, and the garment quality suffers." I have always struggled with that line 😄 My teacher always walked by and would stop me, "That's enough now, Adam",or she would tell me to undo something and then stop. I always try and find a way to hide everything and neatly package it so it looks pretty. 😄

@almonies she’s right though! Always best to keep it simple and clean, a good sewing teacher teaches you lessons for life!

Thank you so much! 🥹

Thank you so much for your kind comment 🥹 I certainly had fun making it!! Although I was over it by the time I got to the hem 😂

Thank you so much 🥹🥹

Thank you for watching!! 🥰🥰

Thank you so much 🥹🥹

Thank you so much 🥰🥹

Aw thank you!! I think I will nail it better the second time 😅😅 the first attempt is always a bit tricky!

Thank you so much! Please send me photos if you do sew it!! 🥰

Oh I love hearing that!! My next “bigger” sewing project is another Zimmermann piece so you might like that too!! 🤭 although I finish do some smaller projects in between 🤔 Thank you so much for your support and lovely comment!

Thank you so much 🥹

Oh wow!!! Thank you for tuning in!!

Thank you, I am so proud of it! 🥳🥳

How exciting! Please update me when you do, I would love to see! 🤗

Glad I could help! 🤗🤗

Oooh I’m so keen to make one!! Maybe I should aim to do that after the next project? Would be good to break up the content after another pattern release/tutorial!!

@@behindtheseamswithjess Hehe whenever fits in with your schedule :)

Thank you so much! 🫶🏼

Thank you so much 🫶🏼 that means a lot to me coming from another sewer!

Thank you! Working on it as we speak, I’m so excited to release it!!

Thank you! 🫶🏼

You are welcome! It’s such a great little addition, especially when there are gaps between buttons! 🤗

Thank you!! I’m aiming to have it available this weekend! 🤗🤗

Thank you for subscribing and watching!! Hope you like my upcoming videos! 🥰

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! The actual tutorial will be much clearer so hopefully that helps a bit more!!

Thank you!!! I will likely have it available by this weekend, with the full video tutorial 🥰

Aw thank you! I can definitely pop that on my list of videos as it would be very handy, especially if needed when I release some patterns!

Oh wow from Peru!! Thank you so much! 🥰🥰

Please show me when you do! I will likely have the pattern and full tutorial released this weekend! 🤗

@@behindtheseamswithjess Awesome!! Can't wait for that! 🥰

Came back to say it’s finished! 🤗 the full tutorial is up on my page with the pattern too! 😘

Thank you so much 🥰🥹

Oh wow!! I haven’t heard that! Makes sense though!!

Thank you! I don’t mind the serger but I feel like bias binding or other methods of finishing seams looks better to me! 😄

Thank you!! 🥹

You are so lovely 🥹 thank you!

How lovely!! Thank you for watching!

Omg your comment has made my day!! Thank you for tuning in all the way from Germany! Please do keep me updated if you make it as I would love to see! I definitely think it’s worth drafting a bodice block again, they take time but once they’re done right, they are sooo valuable!

Glad you enjoyed! 🤗

Aw thank you!! See this is why I like remaking clothing, it means you can customise it however you want!! Take inspiration but make it exactly how you want it 🤗

I really appreciate you subscribing! It means so much to me! 🥹🥰😘

Yes I’ve seen that one! Very popular!

Oh no!! I will make sure I adjust it in the next video 😫 thanks for letting me know!

🥰😘

I agree, big 4 patterns are terrible for anyone bigger than a B cup! I’m in two minds about basing the patterns off my personal block as I have implants, so my bust won’t be in proportion for most people 😣 but I think I might make the patterns based off bigger cup sizes in general as soo many struggle with the small busts with popular pattern companies 🤔

That's what I'm saying though, lol! Augmented girls who sew are soooo niche, it's either we have the Big 4 with small busts, or indie pattern companies who specialize in boxy, shapeless, patterns. I seriously look forward to what you'll be doing in the future!@@behindtheseamswithjess

Oooo I get you now!! Ok, maybe the grading does actually need to be based off this block so it can keep the same shape? I was considering using standard blocks to make the sizes but then we run into the same problems of needing bust adjustments I agree, it’s a niche area of the sewing world!! Not all of us are interested in wearing paper bag style tops and dresses 😂😂😂

⁠The world does not need more standard block patterns. An augmented bust is very niche - not just in terms of proportion, but also the hight and shape of the breasts. But it still may be a simpler alteration for naturally busty person - depending on the type of bra they prefer. It also might (I don't know for sure) be a useful shape for drag performers - many of whom perform wearing enhancements shaped closer to your shape than a B cup "standard block" . And nearly all drag performers sew, or have garments custom made, or at least custom altered for them. So, that may be a market worth learning about and catering to - if that sparks a genuine and positive interest for you. Burlesque performers also have a high proportion of sewists.

@lynn858 I never thought about it like that!! And your right, let’s get rid of outdated blocks pls 😂 I didn’t even think about how many drag and burlesque performers would be making their own clothing!

I will definitely work on a bodice tutorial! In the meantime, @TheClosetHistorian has a great tutorial using the same book I did! She has great videos 🙂

Okay tq so much .. love from India❤🎉

⁠*grin* Watching your drafting, I thought it looked a lot like the way Bianca does hers.

Yes 10cm! 🤗 I think you could get away with smaller, but the 10cm felt like it was a really good size to get the perfect amount of flare. A thinner size would be a lot easier to contour to the hem though 🤔 maybe 8cm would be best?

Thank you for the response.I appreciate your response and the suggestion. My dress is going to be longer so I’ll try the 10cm and see how that goes. I liked how you cut the skirt facing. I have my bodice and collar pattern ready. I plan to work on the skirt. After viewing this video….. I feel tempted to cut the skirt from a circle as opposed to panels cut on lengthwise grain (that form a circle as I would have a total of 12 pieces). Any idea if the real Zimmerman skirt portion of dress is cut as a circle and sectioned or panel cut on the lengthwise grain?

@My_Sewing_Journey my pleasure!! Always happy to help! I have just checked now and the real Zimmermann skirts are paneled with the centre of each panel aligned with the lengthwise grain (each seam on each panel would be off grain). I think a normal circle skirt would be totally fine and much less stressful! You may still need to cut your facing into panels from the circle and add some SA if you are adding those 🙂 let me know if that made sense! Otherwise I can send a video of the skirt on the real dresses via Instagram 😘

@@behindtheseamswithjess Thank you. 😘

Ooh good question, draping definitely removes a math element to an extent, I prefer draping when making really snug bodice styles (anything similar to a corset) as I find it too hard to draft!! But then I prefer drafting for designs like this, where I want it to be fitted but not skin tight 😅 because I can just add a few cm to my block and know it will be the perfect fit 🤔 I think it’s great to learn to do both!!

Tysm!

I don’t think that’s weird at all 🙂

Luckily I’m never around preschoolers 😂 mini dresses are my favourite! 🤗

Oh wow!!! Thank you for tuning in!!