Making Stephanie Canada's Favorite Dress 

"The higher the hair the better my brain works." - I love that and I shared it with my husband and he called those buns "the cooling towers" and I just... 😂😂💜💜

So, so cute! A tip from ancient times when I took home economics in 1971: Baste the seam closed, press it open, and then lay the zipper over the seam, making sure the zipper lies on the seam, and secure it with a few pieces of scotch tape. Then sew right over the tape, and peel it off after. Sounds weird, but has been working for me for 43 years. I love watching your generation sew with confidence and creativity! Yay!

Very cute results, Charlie! You did well. When making clothes from vintage patterns, though, half the challenge is keeping in mind the type of undergarments you're going to wear with it. That type of dress was designed to be worn with a bullet bra, hence the weird pleating. The designer made it that way to accommodate the shape of the bra and give the wearer a sharper silhouette. With that in mind, it makes sense why you felt there was so much extra fabric where it shouldn't have been in one place and not enough in the other. Can't wait to see what you make next! 😊

Fitting a pattern that’s pretty much your size is one thing. Resizing a pattern, at least in my opinion, is one of THE hardest things you can do! So kudos for you!

That opening speech on your carousel pony. Queen!!

I think that this neckline is so flattering on you. If this dress was done in a knit fabric, I think it would be super cute.

Two of my favorite RU-vid sewing folks collaborating? Let me get my popcorn, this will be awesome! I love the fabric she picked for you.

Ngl, the laying out all the pattern pieces and then running off to do less stressful things made me giggle. 100% something I would do XD Patterns are scary! Almost as scary as cutting into the 'perfect' fabric. Also I love Stephanie so this colab was joy!

After following Charlie for a long time,and then connecting with Stephanie’s segments ,I thought there personalities were so similar that I thought they were sisters ! I loved this segment!

A chaotic match made in heaven! This is amazing.

"If I can learn to do it, you can learn to do it! Something in your nose and you'll pull through it. Tell yourself it's easy (and it's true!), you can learn to do it too!" 17:40 made me think of this, the Anastasia soundtrack really is underrated :(

Zig zag the edges....totally acceptable....especially for those who dont use a surger. When I was a kid and learned how to do a zipper...We used the machine to loosely sew/baste the part of the seam where the zipper was to go. When on a side zip, you would sew and backstitch above and below the zipper area...then when the zip is in....you just pull the basting stitching...no seam ripper. The gathering on the sholder area is a n accent.decorative touch. I like it. It turned out cute as a button and looks great on you.

The welt of the pocket should go on the other side of the pocket opening, so that your hand goes in behind the welt, rather than your hand going in front of the welt like you've got. I love those colors, and the way the stripes angle in to make a V. Having gathering run parallel to the stripes makes the most sense to me for that fabric, rather than doing the typical under-bust dart that would interrupt the stripes. It's possible that when you made the alterations from Steph's pattern that the apex of the breast wasn't moved to where it needs to be on your body, but I've never tried down-sizing commercial patterns before. It doesn't look like Bianca over at Closet Historian has done this exact dart/gathering placement before, but it is close to the shoulder tucks she does in her "Dart Manipulation Explained" video in the section about using darts as tucks and gathers. This was a very entertain collab, thanks for the video!

I came over from Stephanie's channel. I admire both of you for sewing your own clothing given the amount of translation needed to to read and follow a pattern. Great job!

I love all the creative procrastinating. It is entertaining to me to see what lengths others go to to procrastinate because I do that too. 😁😄

Fun fact: My first successful zipper insertion came when I followed the directions written on the cardboard it was stapled to.

As a pattern girl here first off I want to say that you did a great job resizing. Resizing by that much is not something that most pattern users do very much of. However, I think Stephanie does a lot more of it because of the use of vintage patterns. That zipper technique is the one i recomend for non-invisible zippers. I am perplexed that it gave you problems. I would love to do a Zoom call or something and see if we can figure it out. The bottom line is that even without swoosh, that dress is amazing.

When you can't do French seams, you can use the overlock foot from your presser foot video to finish them! No serger needed :)

Another option for finishing seams on woven material is to use a thin bias tape to cover the seam. I have some cotton voile that I’ve used to do it with before and it turns out really nice, without the bulk of a normal bias tape. Your dress turned out super cute!!

Two of the Ladies of the Chaos Court collaborating? Uh, yes please. I love both you and Stephanie so this will be all kinds of fun. ❤❤

I resized a vintage pattern a couple weeks ago to fit my very German body, and I had the best success by putting it together, turning it inside out and then pinning and pinning and pinning the seams on my dress form. (I got a cheap dress form and then used a Bootstrap Fashions dress form cover over it). It was 90% perfect and I got it the rest of the way by trying it on myself and getting the shoulders right. Otherwise, I had weird wrinkles in the belly and shoulder blades. Highly recommend getting either a Bootstrap Fashions dress form pattern that you can stuff yourself, or get a cover pattern that you can put over your mannequin. The covers are like $19 and the fabric for them is easy to find on Amazon (edges don't fray). Exactly your size and easy to sew. Would make a cool video!!!

You did a great job of pattern matching the front bodice to create the “V”.

I love how perfectly you matched the bodice pieces 🤩. My 2 favourite sewists challenging each other 🥳

Resizing a pattern one or 2 sizes is easy, resizing that many sizes is hard so well done for even attempting it! The 30s and 40s loved gathering higher up and was only partly to do with giving bust space. I have a blouse pattern that has loads of gathering from a straight yoke piece on a size 12 - literally no bust! Oh and btw that front angled stripe? A chevron. And beautifully pattern matched 💛

I get the gather in the cup area now. You’re younger and it’s not so obvious but as we age the stuffing of the boob falls to the bottom of the “bag”. The gathers create fullness at the top again. You did a brilliant job and although I had my doubts in the beginning due to the yellows, you created a very flattering dress.

This is giving Sound of Music curtain dress in the best way! From here it looks pretty perfect, and your stripe matching is impeccable 💛🧡🤍💚

Charlie... You literally melted my heart when I saw you with the rose bush😭 such a dream, so beautiful 😍🥰🌷🌸

Came here from Stephanie's channel. Instant subscribe!

I've self-drafted woven patterns, and I find that the extra fabric up there is actually pretty crucial for letting you still have mobility. If you don't have that bit of space right above the bust, it's a lot harder to move. It's not to say that you CAN'T have it more fitted, but if you do then you need to have that ease somewhere else.

Oh yes!! A collab between two of my favorite creators! ❤

Oooh this is going to be so fun! I love Stephanie and you! ❤

Kudos for stepping out of your comfort zone. I can see you making multiple versions of your new pattern 🤔

Very interesting collab idea. The dress is very cute and it made me wonder if I could pattern it from a block. It is a different style for you and I look forward to watch Stephanie’s side of things. Listening to your exchange afterward and hearing you talk about the ease thing with woven fabrics has made me realise that I tend to expect woven fabric to have the same fit as knit and then wonder why my woven garments don’t look like your knit garments 😅 sometimes I need to hear other people say stuff for my brain to finally pause and go « oh yeah, that’s why » and this was one such moment so thank you.

The dress is totally cute and I love the way it fits you. I see the issues kind of around the neck with the shoulder stuff, but it doesn’t detract from the cuteness of the dress. The little gathers from the shoulder to the bus, I know why they seem counterintuitive to you, but they kind of work because they just are different way to manage the fullness then say a dart would be. Very cute and the yellow and stripes do suit you. Excellent job.

A version of this pattern using knit fabric would be interesting, no zipper, and you could use the finished shape from this dress for the front pattern pieces.

Altogether I think your end result is adorable! It looks vintage but not too vintage, if that makes any sense? I think you could absolutely make a pouffy-er skirt and it would swish nicely! Plus maybe try the same silhouette but in knit fabric?

beautiful summer colour that with a light brown sweater could go into fall easily

Loved it! Bodice re- sizing is very tricky if it’s a few sizes down - you did amazing x

5:51 -- 🎶Great transition! I usually hate when creators use music because the decible level is inconsistant with their voice and usually blasts my ears. You not only had a great transition, but it was beautiful music too!! 🎶 8:41 -- "The higher the hair, the better my brain works y'all." -- I totally agree!

That pinafore dress you wore during the making of the project is *amazing*

I love this! I dislike knit fabric with a passion. I love woven cotton. Simple to sew, versatile to use.

I have been sewing for 4 years now (well it will be 4 years in late July) and I have only used one pattern. I looked at the pictures on the instructions and that's it. It still came out decent. Mostly I just make my own patterns using my measurements or clothes I already own. So I'm totally with you on the self drafting being easier.

Charlie, that pattern/style is very flattering. Keep using it! I'm with Stephanie - knits are hard.

When resizing a pattern, mock-ups are your friends. 😊

I have been sewing for close to 50 years and I have no idea how to resize a pattern that much. I know how to pattern draft and I would be tempted to just look at the pieces and draft my own instead. I love the striped fabric and the bias "v" it creates on the front.

The minute I saw Stephanie Canada, the moment I knew it would be an awesome video.😊

@gettheetothestitchery - For easy added swoosh in any amount or shape, you can make any number and height of slits you want to up from the hem and insert triangles of leftover or other fabric

I have dreamed of making clothing. Can't find simple, decent instructions on how to make even something simple. I will continue to watch you channel, and soon become a master of sewing clothing, I am sure of it!

I think the bodice style really looks flattering on you! Maybe try doing it in a knit .. and put a circle skirt on it. Voila! Perfect dress for Charlie!

For future reference, you can just pull the prong off a belt buckle with a pair of pliers. Ezy pezy 😊 Love the bodice on that! The gathering doesn’t look anywhere near as baggy on this side of the screen. The welt pockets are a nice addition too, better choice than adding a pocket to a side seam zipper. That’s complicated! Not going to comment on the pocket bag being on the wrong side of the welt when i’ve done far worse things with welts 😂 All things considered, good job 👍🏼 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

okay, finished watching now. I love how the dress looks on you despite all of the remarks you have to it. I was kinda doubtful when I saw the fabric choice as yellow is not something I'd go for. But it suits you amazingly and the V pattern in the front is just 👌 But I have to say from the start I was just sooo pleased with this, because collab between you and Stephanie sounded just absolutely delightful and I'm very much looking forward to Stephanie's video.

It looks wonderful. I watch Stephanie all the time as much as i watch you. Love you both.

6:02 Such beautiful roses! Roses are my favorite flower.

The Producers was my first musical that I remember watching over and over and over and over and over again!

I have a vintage pattern that my mum used to use in the 70's, sadly she is no longer with us. But I found it and decided to make it, which took some adjustment as my mum was tiny in the 70's so I traced and increased the pattern and I have made it in long sleeve puff sleeve short sleeve and changed the neck line several times, it is a lovely top. I have made loads of them and it is so lovely. I am like you I normal draft my own patterns. I love watching your channel it motivates me. Love this challenge.

Love your hair length. The dress very flattering. By the way love Stephanie Canada. Been watching her since before I found you. You’re both my favorite you tubers and you both lift up my spirits by watching you.

Two of my favourite chaotic sewing youtubers doing a collab?! LOVE IT! I think you did great, sizing patterns up/down is difficult!

That is one of the more flattering dresses you have made this far. Really good job.🎉🎉🎉

Honestly that dress is super flattering on you. I would love to see you refine the pattern to fit you better and alter it more to your style with a circle skirt and maybe pleat the front into the sleeves instead of gathering to avoid some of that poof.

Big patch pockets would be great, in the 50s all my mother's dresses had them. Remember to set them lower. 😊

Brilliant dress, it is very Stephanie Canada is style but suits you so well. You did a great job.

The dress looks fantastic! I love everything about this challenge. I’ve been so inspired by the work you and Stephanie do…this was an amazing collaboration!

Love it when you start singing a song and my brain has to finish it! Very cute, but definitely needs more Charlie SWOOSH!

I love detailed instructions. But I have definitely cried from frustration while working with a sewing pattern.

You two are so much alike, makes you both even more adorable.

It's pretty! It came out SOOOOO much better than I had expected.

I love it! So cute and elegant! I really hope you will retry this and maybe perfect it 🤍

This was so fun to watch. Cherry pie is the best, I'd have stayed to watch that too!

This is really cute. I was so excited to see you collab with Stephanie.

“Theoretically…” is going to be my favorite word today. 😅

Final product is cute, flattering, and summery. Really nice.

This is the collab I didn't know I needed in my life ❤

Watching this on Saturday because I was "away," but NOW it feels like a proper Friday. Amazing. As a short person, even trying to adjust a pattern to be a couple of inches shorter (even when there are lines on the pattern *for doing just that*) was nearly enough to bring me to tears. The hwinging it resizing was beyond impressive.

I was taught to sew a zipper in by basting the seam closed, sew the zipper in, then rip out the basting stitch. So much easier to rip a baste out that a stitch. Love this dress though.

❤❤❤❤ I am here for the chaos and random noises!! I have found my people!! I use patterns but also completely disregard the instructions because adhd and I also have the “wing it” gene

The dress looks really cute! Stephanie chose some amazing colors for you! Resizing patterns is something that takes practice so I will say you did a good job on this one imo it’s easier to make it smaller than larger. I will echo that vintage garments do require vintage underwear so they are designed with those kinds of underwear in mind. But all in all great job and I hope you enjoyed the challenge!

A fun collab. It is good to stretch yourself and end up with a lovely outfit.

This is the epic team up I didn't know we needed!

I'm not kidding when I say I'm IN LOVE with this dress, the gathering is such a cute detail once it was all said and done. I wish I wasn't already obsessed with crochet and knitting so I could allow myself to also fall down the sewing rabbit hole, but this video is really temptingggggg

Two of my very favorites together? Yes, please, and thank you!

personally i think it came out super cute.

"...From a distance, you look like my friend even though we are at war..." that's from the depths of my brain.

I absolutely love how your make turned out! The stripes are IMMACULATE! This was so much fun to do and glad we could challenge each other.

So, when I realised you were going to have to resize the pattern, and you already find patterns difficult, I thought to myself “ah, she will make a mockup “ - pah! 😂😂😂😂😂

Absolutely adorable and big cheers for challenging yourself like that!! Great job!!

I need to see sew many more of these collabs. Yall are just great.

The dress turned out beautifully! You did a wonderful job! Now I will have to go watch the other one!

looks great, nicely done I admire your "wing-it" attitude, mostly because I do not have that, haha.

Who knew this collaboration was needed!!! 100% amazing!!! Nice learning from both you guys and the challenging parts that each person isn’t used to!

Those colors on you are gorgeous!!!! I love Stephanie!!! So excited to see this collaboration!!!!

I think it is so beautiful. And as an amateur sewist I think the fit looks amazing. You did great

Holy ginormous roses, Batman!!!

I love when you do videos like this. Just like when you and your sister collaborated!!

I actually love the dress on you. Having to resize seems like a nightmare, so good job!

You did it! Way to take chances, get messy and make mistakes ❤

Overcast foot! This is the exact use for it.

The happy rabbit hole of discovering creatives: Rachel Maksy lead me to Stephanie Canada who then lead me to The Stitchery/Charlie. Pleased to report I’ve been binging on your content for days now.

The results came out so well! Its very flaterinf, the colors worked well and It makes me want to try this dress myself.

These were both so very entertaining, loved this and Stephanie’s projects! Personally I’ve sewn for nearly all my life, and still would be cautious approaching knit fabric. You’re very brave, and talented!

“If you’re making some thing that might not fit you, making it with French seams is extra risky.“ You’re right. But, that’s why the instructions told you to taste it together and test fit. To remove doubt and worry. Especially if you are resizing and you are not confident in your resizing skills. I never loved pressing pieces before sewing. But, the president pays for itself with a superior sewing experience, and a superior end result. Sometimes, it’s advantageous to trust the process. Even if the process is the tried-and-true method. The old-school method of garment construction was developed specifically to minimize wasted effort and maximize quality results with best fit. So many smart women worked it out to help other women do work they never even the property appraised for. I’d love to see an episode where you just try it old-school with a pattern and resizing one day. I’m not angry, but it is exasperating. I just watched you demonstrate why the instructions are written as they are. I will be kind of angry if you don’t learn. One thing I know is that garments from back then we’re warm with foundation. The bra, or even girdle, were important in order to make the clothes fit properly. My grandmother told me, but they also discussed it in a featurette from the Mad Men DVD. I don’t know what you’ve got under there, but that design might have been made, assuming a more dated, up-and-out bust shape, since the bras were going for something different back then. I’m fairly certain that when you test fit (assuming you basted it together so you can fit as you sew) you would be wearing foundation garments suitable to the project.