pattern tester roundup
Monica Dress Pattern Testers Roundup Part 1
Greetings my lovely sew’ist friends – and I hope you are well and happy as you read about our FABULOUS new Monica Dress pattern release.
And boy-oh-boy she is a stunning beauty.
The Monica Dress is full of the most gorgeous design details – buttoned front, gathered back yoke, and the choice of gathered and floaty sleeves.
Plus the Monica also comes with some practical details – elastic gathered waist for ease of fit and the roomiest of pockets.
Sewing the Monica is fairly straightforward as the elements are easy to put together – but don’t rush it – enjoy the process and see the Monica take its shape and morph under your sewing machine feet.
Monica has that flirty timeless vibe that just works – and I can’t wait to see her on all of your social’s channels.
So please my friends – a huge SHOUT OUT for our new Monica Dress and our always amazing team of pattern testers.
And they would like to share the following with you
1. Your name and where you live ?
2. What fabric combinations did you choose and where did you purchase?
3. What sewing tips can you share when sewing the Monica ?
4. What was your style choice for the Monica ?
5. What fit alterations did you have to make to the Monica ?
6. Have you worn your Monica yet and what compliments did you receive.
7. Any plans for future combinations of the Monica ?
8. Social media URLS
I’m Toni McN from Northern California, USA.
I made the Monica out of a viscose fabric from Guthrie & Ghani, which made for a very lightweight summer dress.
Size selected was 3A with no pattern alterations. Love the pockets and ties. The first time I wore the dress I got a nice compliment on the fit and flattering shape.
I’ll probably wear it with a cami underneath for work.
Hi, my name is Meredith and I live in the northern rivers area of NSW, Australia. Having only just moved to this area, where the weather is much warmer than Sydney, I’m enjoying wearing my summery Monica a lot … and every time I wear it, i get comments on how beautiful the dress is.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new Monica. It’s such a lovely floaty, feminine style
I made my dress in a viscose purchased from The Maker Society. A great fabric for its lightness and ‘floatability’.
I made a size 3, graded to 5 at hips. Midi length and flutter sleeves.
I would like to make another in a more winter fabric – perfect with boots and jacket.
Happy sewing
Meredith @Sew_Mere_Makes on IG
Hi, I am Annet L and I live in the Netherlands. I have made the Monica dress twice. The first with three gathered layers in a 100% viscose fabric. The second I made in a cotton voile, and I left out the middle-gathered layer and extended the top layer. There is definitely another Monica in the planning. For the fall with long sleeves and the knee length version I would also really like to make. The Monica is a lovely feminine airy dress that is ideal to wear on warm summer days. With this beautiful spring here in the Netherlands I have already worn the dress several times and have received many compliments.
Hi, I am Synthia from Central California. I just love boho styling and I love that the Monica dress fits that category for me. I ended up extending the 1st ruffle layer to become a midi length dress with 1 lower ruffle, love it. I made two in this midi length style, both with elbow sleeves. One Monica dress I used a cotton voile fabric and the other using viscose rayon, both turned out great in these fabrics. I do have plans on making another in cotton fabric, as soon as I wash my fabric. As always, I make sure I sew up a muslin in order to obtain the proper fit for me, takes a little more time, but well worth it in the long run. Another great design Ann. https://sewsynsewn.blogspot.com
sewsynsewn on fb
Chloe Hall. It was love at first sight when I saw the line drawings of Monica! It has all the feminine details I love – button front, gathered bodice and tiered skirt. And then there’s practical elements of elastic waist and roomy pockets! I used the amazing Airflow woven fabric from https://milymaefabricshop.com/ which has the perfect drape and swish factor. I can’t be happier with how my Monica turned out! I am 5’2” so I shortened the skirt a few inches. Otherwise, the fit is spot on out of the park!
Hello, my name is Ashley Riley, and I live in the beautiful city of London. I’m here to speak about the beautiful Monica dress.
I choose a stunning Lavandera floral marocain crepe fabric from ABC Fabric for my Monica dress. It’s such a versatile fabric and worked beautifully for this project.
My sewing tips for the Monica: Alway make a fit first in the same sort of fabric to see what adjustments are needed. Being 5 feet tall, I had to shorten the pattern to fit my petite frame I shortened the bodice by 1/2″ and adjusting the length was crucial, but the pattern is flexible and easy to modify, I shortened each tier by 1″ and got the perfect length as I went for above knee length but you can also add a third tier for the longer length. I was scared to do shirring once, but the instructions are great and love the outcome. I’ve already worn my dress out for lunch and plan to wear it again. I will also try the longer length as I think this dress can be worn all year round. https://linktr.ee/madebyashley
Hey hey! I’m Christine L from windy Wellington, New Zealand . I hit a bit of a sewing slump recently, so I decided to shake things up and jump into a pattern test—because what better way to get the sew-jo flowing again, right?
When Anne put the call out to test the Monica, I was all in! I used a drapey rayon-viscose from my stash (pretty sure it’s from Minerva.com, but don’t quote me). Because I didn’t have heaps of fabric, I went with the short, two-tier elastic sleeves—but I’m dreaming of a long-sleeve, three-tier version for next time. It’s winter here in the southern hemisphere, after all!
Fit-wise, I cut between a size 4 and 5 for the bust, graded to a 6 at waist up to the hips, then cheekily snipped an half an inch off the waist. Hot tip: choose the right cup size—it makes a big difference! The bust (those busy darts placement) and armhole fit was spot on for me, which meant hardly any fiddly adjustments (win!). Even though it’s a fairly simple sew, it’s still worth slowing down and enjoying the process—don’t rush the magic!
I haven’t taken her out for a spin yet thanks to the chilly weather, but you can bet she’s going to be on high rotation when summer hits. I can already see the compliments rolling in—Monica’s got that flirty, timeless vibe that just works. Can’t wait to show her off on my socials!
You can check out more of my makes (including previous pattern tests with Designer Stitch) over on my Instagram: @tinah8172. Come say hi!
https://www.instagram.com/tinah8172
Hello everyone. I’m Tina and I live in the UK.
My fabric was some I purchased a while ago and though it would be good for this project. It’s from a local supplier
Waltons Fabrics
My choice of style ended with just the one tier as that’s all the fabric I had enough for, but hey it is summer here in the Uk.
When you make your Monica just take your time with the button placements. I’m a size 12 UK so did not make any alterations and made the size 5. I am 5’4” and the one tier ends up just the right length.
I went away to a football tournament to Butlins with my Grandson and wore my Monica there. It’s such a nice design. Lovely deep pockets.
I’ve bought some more fabric in deep blue patterns and I’m going to make a long length one next.
https://www.instagram.com/sew_so_tina
Hi, here is Marieke from the Netherlands. It’s always surprising me how it’s possible to come up with a pattern that is new, stylish and comfortable over and over again. Well, there is the Monica dress! And it shouldn’t be a surprise this one is also so on trend and actually perfect to wear through the whole year- depending on your fabric choice, the options and how you style it this is an all-season dress! I made mine for Spring and Summertime and used a viscose fabric I had laying some time already- waiting for the pattern. Well, I am glad I waited! Not really common for me but I was really curious how the longest length would look on me and I am happy I did! With letting the last 4 buttons open it’s a compromise between knee and long length hahaha. I did wear it already and I did got compliments about me dress and my fabric choice. This isn’t a hard sew, but it does have some details. I think I call it an awesome project for a me-day! When you want you can always have a look at my Insta for more inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/jongdesign
Hi everyone!
I’m Sandra from the Netherlands! Did you see all our Monica dresses? Wow, its so lovely (and worth to add all buttons!).
I used a viscose fabric. I only lengthened a little bit my bodice and skirt because I’m a bit teller.
I definitely will make more! Maybe with longer sleeves! But first its summer in the Netherlands
Https://www.instagram.com/sandra_wilbrink_sewing
I’m Shardee from the Netherlands.
I felt instant in love with the Monica dress.
A modern dress with a little vintage look, I love it!
The Monica looks intimated. But I promise, it’s not that hard.
My advice is: take your time to equal out the gathering.
My fabric is from driessenstoffen.nl , it’s a beautiful flower viscose.
My styling is different, wear it with heels for a classic look and with sneakers for a everyday look.
I love both of the styling looks
If you like to see more of my work, follow my Instagram on www.instagram.com/Sewing_shar
Greetings from Vienna Sophie M. I made a size 4/5, A cup Monica dress in a lovely rayon I got from Self-made Vienna. I choose the midi length option for maximum swish. Using clear elastic made gathering the skirt tiers a breeze.
I will always jump at any opportunity to shirr which is what I did with the short sleeves.
Our weather hasn’t permitted me to wear this dress out yet, but I am sure it will get a lot of wear this summer ❤️
https://instagram.com/sewmuch_better
Hello, I’m Tina AC from California and excited to share my Monica Dress with you. I used this beautiful blue/white floral print in airflow woven from Fabric Select. When working with thinner fabrics, I highly suggest stay stitching necklines to keep them from stretching out and using a new needle. I removed 1″ from my tiers to accommodate for my petite height and everything else fit great. I went with the short elastic sleeves but planning on a long sleeve option for fall. Don’t let all the buttonholes intimidate you from sewing your own Monica! P.S. you can also you snaps if you’re more comfortable with that option. I wore my Monica dress to Mother’s Day mass and family gathering with so many compliments!