Great review; helpful. Holly is so cute, funny and real the way she explains things. Fun to watch. Great for novice sewers such as myself. Thanks Holly from the good old USA for sharing!
I was thinking of buying this pattern - after seeing what you have made I will try it for sure. They all look so cute on you. Enjoyed your honesty and humor 🙂
Hi, have you tried brushing the dress with a brush made for that purpose? If you watch old movies you’ll see Mens suits and coats being brushed. The brushing stretches out the fibers and then they spring back into the original shape. Also if you soak, (no rubbing) the dress in salt water and roll it up in bath sheets to get rid of most of the water, you should be able to stretch it back to the original size before it drys completely (I’ve heard hair conditioner mixed into the water helps relax the wool fibers too). If you have a dress maker form you could dry it on that, which would be great for all of the female curves, instead of drying it flat. Then brush it. It’s worth a try, hope it works.
loved this. The pattern really suits you and I loved the Zebras as it's something a little different. I've had this pattern in my stash for ages but didn't think I'd get much wear out of it as a dress, however your lovely top hacks have completely inspired me to get it out and now I have a lovely weekend project planned. Thank you X
Love your makes with this 6145! I never would have given that pattern a second look either but I really like your makes! Sometimes it's the simplest patterns that turn out the best. It has all sorts of features on it that can make it stand out like you've done with the exposed zippers. I love your mustard knit one - that collar is a dream.
Great video! I liked seeing the different versions made from the same pattern, and appreciated your detailed explanation and discussion of the challenges you experienced when making each. Super helpful! Love the stripes with the collar! I'm looking forward to your future videos! :)
Just found you. Thanks for posting. I enjoy your way of explaining your process and especially that you don't take yourself too serious. Love this pattern and all the options. I, too have to alter the sleeves. Thanks for talking about that, and problems you've had with cleaning/fabric, etc. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
Just found your channel, great vlog 😀. I love all your versions especially the jersey top version, it looks so comfortable and the collar really makes it different from every other standard breton xx
Thanks Karen, I love it too. The facing has a tendency to try and creep out, if I did it again in jersey I might just overlock the collar to the bodice? But then how would I finish the zip? Maybe no zip? I clearly haven't thought this comment through!
Thanks Connie. I was going to buy the Sew Over It ultimate shift dress as I am obsessed with Lisa Comfort but I like this french dart so much I stuck with this pattern as my shift dress pattern. That is the highest praise I can give!
When I buy fabric I’ll squish a corner in my hand and then smooth it out and look at it. If it looks flat or relatively straight, it will wear nicely when sewed up. But if it looks like a rag, then that’s how it will look when you wear your garment. Saves you from a wrinkly mess.
Love the striped mustard/navy jumper! And the blue flowered dress. I think I would like that pattern now, though like you, I would never have picked it before. I'm an hour glass figure though, I'll have to think about it. Great job! And thank you for sharing.
Thanks Delilah. I'm liking the exposed zips they are actually quite easy once you've worked out that it's the edge of the zipper tape you need to pay attention to when sewing and not the edge of the fabric. Doh!
Hi Holly! Love the video. Next time you use this pattern, could you make a sew-along? Also, can you show us how you adjusted the pattern to make the sleeves slimmer?
A quick and stylish way to lengthen sleeves or hems is to add a fold-over band in the width you like - sort of like a wider bias, but it can usually be cut on the grain. It becomes a custom cuff/hem and looks quite professional. Also, a contrast collar or cuffs would be a great option and give a very different look to your pattern.
Aww just came across your channel. I love your review of this dress and all of the different options. I also love how natural you are and just saying it as it is! Gorgeous makes. I think I'll give it a go. I really love the jumper version and think a black ponte is so breakfast at tiffanys! Totally inspired. Thanks so much for sharing x
I love all of your makes from that pattern. Your right, it's very versatile and I love your choice of fabrics. Your Stella McCartney dress looks superb. You could dress that up for an event as it's just perfect! Love your mustard stripes and i wouldn't worry as you've matched the sides. If it's not too big a difference at the bottom, I would perhaps follow the dark stripe as a hem to see if it looks better. Either way, it's still beautiful.
Hi Janet, thanks for your comment. I think the Stella dress is my favourite, even with the wonky hem line. I'm going to get myself Tilly's new book as I spotted when someone was doing a review of it that she has a section on matching stripes in jersey. If Tilly can't teach me no one can!
The House with the Spotty Dog your makes are beautiful, but I must admit Tillys book seems to be excellent. Your fabric that shrunk, you should go back to the shop as that is what they advised... x
Hi! So glad to find you. Loved your vlog. I find it very inspiring to see multi pattern makes. Sorry about your Joan. 😭 All these gorgeous new makes will lessen the pain😣 That top is superb; so steeling it😉
Hi Holly, great makes and a brilliant versatile pattern. Love them all but I think I like the mustard one with the looped back sweatshirting best. I love how the collar lies 👍. So sorry about your Joan dress😩. You would have thought that the dry cleaners would have known how to treat it👎. Hope you manage to make a top with the lining at least😉😘
I love the first dress and the last dress the most of what you made! Please don't apologize for wearing your clothes, whether you made them or not, you have the right to wear whatever you have, I wear clothes I bought and clothes I made!
I have subscribed,but it looks as though you have stopped vlogging? What a shame, you are a natural, good fun and inspiring. Will catch up with your other vlogs. Thank you.
I once had a silk suit that had to be dry cleaned. When I picked up the suit it had shrunk and the color had faded becoming streaky! I am so sorry this happened to you.
Looking good. I believe I'll follow all your makes because we both have square shoulders. The neck line seams just a big high to be comfortable. Are you comfortable with the height of the neck opening on your clavicle?
Grerat vlog Holly. I love all your makes. Get your hubby to invest in a steamer like the ones they use in dress shops. You hand the garment on a hanger and use a hose type attachment up and down on the garment. Not cheap and by golly, if you have a few clothes your room end up like a sauna! Good for the pores tho' Chuckle
I am sooo glad I found your video for this wonderful pattern. Would you consider doing a sew-along next time? I tried this pattern after seeing the Coco dress.....had ALOT of trouble. Really need your help!!!
They’re all lovely makes, the jumper really suits you and your colouring I think. I had the helix stripe issue too, I tried to level the hem using the stripes and ended up cutting off the fabric in a spiral, so ended up with a wonky hem 😩
Thanks you! I'm glad it's not just me ha ha! I abandoned the idea of trying to make it look level in some way I just measured down the side seams and tried to follow a straight line across. I can't tell if it's level so I hope no one else can!
Hi! I just found your channel, beautiful make with this pattern... love the mustard jumper, specially the collar. So sorry for your dress at the dry cleaner... I guess it is a live and learn experience... TFS. Christine :D
Thanks Christine that's really kind of you. Yes I shall never make anything again without first making sure I know that it can be washed/cleaned without getting ruined.
I would love to see the full view of your projects, they are beautiful! Any chance you could turn your camera to the vertical position? So cute love your vids.
You do make me laugh Holly! oh boy though, sad about the dry cleaners and the Joan dress. Love the zebra top, in fact all your makes are attractive (including the nightmare to iron one). I really like the “backward” collar too, there must be a proper name for that style. Look forward to your next video.
Thanks Jan! I have been quite productive on the sewing machine the last month sewing stuff for my holiday at the end of April so I shall do a video for that. I've nearly done 3 of my make nine to boot so I'm well chuffed! You can look forward to probably my most amusing sewing disaster to date also. Who would have thought the much loved Astoria sweater could go so wrong? ;)
Hi Holly, I am just trying this pattern for the first time - view E with the collar. I am struggling with the pattern instructions, it implies you baste the collar into place - then it continues to adding the facing (for all views) . I am confused, if you do the collar do you apply the facing as well ?😕
Sorry about that. I leaned on the keyboard and sent a Z!!! I meant to say that I recently made my first striped top and had exactly the same problem with the stripes running round the bottom. I don't know what I did wrong but will have another go.
Lol thanks Carole. A few people have commented that they have done this so we are obviously an elite group of experts. Looks like Tilly's new stretch book has a section on matching stripes, it's on my wish list so i shall report back when I get it.
And Sew On I have debated on this also as except during sewing I don’t iron..l now will have to look at steamers! @andsewon do you have a brand you recommend
Thanks Sue, who doesn't? I was in a big meeting the other day and someone suddenly stopped and said 'is that zebras on your top?'. Making an impact wherever it goes lol!
I’m about to cut out the 3/4 sleeves for version C but am confused as they seem to be a strange shPe if you follow the size lines - the top part juts out a it - what did you do about this? I love all your different versions of the pattern.
Hi Mary-Jane, sorry I didn't pick this comment up earlier. I just made the sleeves as they were initially and they worked out fine just a bit loose for me. If you have already done it (which I assume you have!) how did you get on?
Oooh i am so sorry for you! i have heard of this before, as I have read online that some dry cleaners do not actually dry clean their products but wash them in a machine with water and some other chemicals meaning that some fabrics are ruined anyway. After reading that everytime I got oto the drycleaner, I actually verify how they do their dry cleaning or try to find CO2 dry cleaniners. It just sucks, but you are not alone. It has happend to us all :(
I'm so sorry for your dress disaster, how awful! What a cute dress, too. I don't know how you would have known, really, because the instructions told you to do exactly what you did. The tip about the sleeves is right on! You answered a question about that for me in a dress I am making - it was between a flounce sleeve or the more fitted sleeve. I think I will go with the fitted sleeve. I love your zipper application, that's very creative. Had to subscribe, you are fun to listen to and so honest! I love that about you.
Oh thank you for asking, I have several I am choosing and not a lot of time =)-My wedding is May 4, Yikes!!! So I hope to get at least 2, maybe 3 done...I'll be crackin' for sure.
Hi there, I just found your channel and love all your various takes on this pattern, which I also have and haven't tried yet. Thanks for the tip about the short length as I am 5'7" so would need to add a bit to the hem. Also, could I ask if you would consider doing a short tutorial on that exposed zip which I noticed you have put into a centre back seam. I have really been struggling to do this myself and could really do with seeing it done. Everything I have found out about it says you can't put it into a centre back seam? Did you follow someone's tutorial yourself? Many thanks for posting this.
Dear Mother of Spotty Dog: I am very glad I have found your Y.T. channel and am certainly going to be a loyal watcher. I find you to be smart, honest, funny and courageous. My request today is - what is your first name? I would love to address you properly when I write but I don't think I have ever heard it. On my planet, you would introduce yourself at the beginning of every broadcast - but that's me. Please ignore me if that's not your style. I will most certainly watch you nonetheless. You make me laugh and you give me COURAGE!!!! A great combination. Thanks so much and please smooch your puppy from a sewist in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the US. Thanks and can't wait to see every broadcast. - Marlene La Ban
Hi Kristine, that is an excellent idea thank you. The fabric would make a lovely gladstone type affair wouldn't it. I hate waste so want to do something with it.
OK. I read the other comments (should have done that first) and find that you are in fact Holly. I shall therefore address you as such for hence forward. If you keep making YT videos, you will have thousands of followers. Trust me - M. La Ban
Thanks Marlene, I always intend to say who I am and then completely forget and go off into a rant about fabric or patterns! I credit my sewing courage to Laila, who is a tutor at Guthrie and Ghani (gorgous fabric shop in the UK). She has told me off several times for unpicking not quite perfect zips, darts, sleeves etc and encouraged me to get on and make it and see if you even notice at the end. And you never do so I've kept that attitude up; unless I've made a real hash of it, that'll do. Hope Laila's teaching help you in Mexico too. It's actually a sunny day here in the UK and the spotty dog has found a sunny spot to curl up on on the human bed, so is a very happy pooch. Sewing for my holidays at the moment so expect a holiday makes video before the end of the month.
