pattern tester roundup
Anais Dress Pattern Testers Roundup Part 1
Hello my lovely sewist friends. Showcase time yet again – and this time it is the stunningly gorgeous Anais Dress – featuring our pattern testers in Part One.
Our new Anais Dress has many styling options to choose from so you can really customize the look that you want.
Various sleeve lengths and skirt lengths including a more fitted pencil type skirt or a soft flowing A-line skirt.
With these choices the Anais is then truly trans seasonal.
Fabulous with a gorgeous pair of strappy sandals or team with fabulous leather boots.
Such a fabulous variable design.
My friends I hope you have fun with all of your option choices.
So with a fabulous round of applause lets start our roundups and our fabulous team of pattern testers – Part 1.
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 Anais Dress?
4. What was your style choice for the Anais Dress?
5. What fit alterations did you have to make to the Anais Dress?
6. Have you worn your Anais Dress? yet and what compliments did you receive.
7. Any plans for future combinations of the Anais Dress?
8. Social media URLS
Hello, HOLA, my name is MACU, I am Spanish and my home town is ALICANTE located in the South East by the coast.
I love dresses and I wear then everyday , even for riding my bicycle, a light dress is my Summer uniform
So I chose to sew the AMIRA dress version , but life is changing and I changed my mind for two pieces
I chose long flared skirt as it’s my style and I love the result
I doubt I will wear my AMIRA separated as even if I love them separated too, I feel like a goddess wearing the set ❤️ ;it’s flowy and I just want to twirl around
The fabric comes from my stash and I ignore the composition, it’s elastic, medium weight, with a silk touch and a lovely big prit . I bought it in Julian Lopez telas https://julianlopez.es/moda/ like two years ago and was waiting for the perfect project
I love pattern testing for @designerstitch and I am thrilled to be in this wonderful group where I learn everyday.
TIPs for AMIRA SET
*IRON is always a sewer best friend, even with fabric you wouldn’t dare to iron!! My neck looked wavy and after steam-irone with protection: ta ta… perfect
*To prevent the froint from opening You can either use a small automatic button or hand sew a few stitches to keep it in place
Yo can find my sewing adventures in Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/macusewinglove
Sophie from Vienna here. My biggest problem was choosing fabric and what version of Anais I wanted to make first! It’s such a quick sew so I’ll be making a few more. My photographer aka husband was very impressed too. I used a viscose jersey from a local fabric store and chose the long sleeve option as we are heading into autumn here.
I’ll most definitely always wear heels with this skirt length. I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I do.
Hi, I’m Ashley Riley and I live in the UK. For my Anais, I couldn’t resist using this red and black spot cotton jersey from ABC Fabric, it’s such a fun print and feels lovely to wear.
I went with the two-piece option, a flared skirt and a matching top with elbow-length sleeves. It’s such a versatile combo because I can wear them together for a dressy look, or separately with other pieces in my wardrobe.
A little tip if you’re making the Anais: definitely whip up a toile first in case you need to tweak anything, and double-check the measurement instructions. For me, I shortened the bodice by ½ inch and took 2 inches off the shortest skirt length (I’m on the shorter side so this worked perfectly).
I haven’t worn my Anais out yet, but I’ve got a lunch planned next week and I already know this outfit will be coming with me, I think it’s going to get lots of compliments!
And I’m already planning another one… this time I’m leaning towards the dress version for autumn. I think it’ll be perfect layered up with tights and boots.
You can follow more of my makes over on Instagram: www.instagram.com/madebyashleyriley/
Hi, here is Marieke and I am from the Netherlands- well most of you know that already.. I love my new outfit so much! I had a hard time to discuss with myself; am I going to make a dress, a top, a skirt and when, which skirt! And then there are length options and sleeve options too! Well, let’s make this really clear; with this pattern you have everything you need to sew a complete wardrobe stable For my finals I decided to make a pencil skirt with a loose sleeveless top; sophisticated, stylish, cool but not to much. This outfit was perfect for being a wedding guest at a garden wedding and I also wore it on a meeting and also wore it as seperates as well. I think I made it clear this is a very various and awesome pattern and I even have said: it’s such a quick sew! ❤️ This pattern is going to become your rescue for any occasion you need something new ❤️ When you want to check out more of my makes, you can always have a look at my Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jongdesign
Hola hola!! Here’s Nieves, from Madrid, Spain. My first impulse with Anaís was a summery set, in lightweight, sleeveless Lycra. But beware, this pattern is addictive!It sews quickly and looks really good. So I needed to sew another one. For a more autumnal look, I chose a stretch crepe dress that a good friend gave me. I changed the style of the skirt, choosing a 3/4-length sleeve. And now I have a completely different set! I’m thrilled with these pieces, which are stretchy and super comfortable.
Welcome to the ‘ber months from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My name is Allison F.
Since we have arrived at the ‘ber months with assures that it will soon be burr in Wisconsin, I started by making my Anias fit using a soft pink rayon spandex plaid with multiple shades of gray that I purchased last year from Mood Fabrics. For my fit, I began by getting current measurements, verifying cup size for the top, then decided to make it a skirt and top since I have some travel planned. I choose to make it with long sleeves and the skirt is the midi-flared skirt.
Since my fit turned out so well, I photographed it for autumn. I paired it with tights and booties. It was really fun to wear. All of this design swishes. Why does a swishy outfit feel so feminine?
Only fit adjust was I needed to take a dart out of the center front of the cross over to prevent gaping. It had been a while since I made a cross over design, so I had forgotten. I really should keep a list somewhere. Made that adjustment to the pattern then proceeded to my final.
My final is made from a buttery soft rayon spandex from recently re-opened Girl Charlee Fabrics. I adore the muted purple, pink, and gray on the neutral base. For this I stayed with the skirt and top version, but switched to the straight skirt. What a different look this creates! I decided with the straight skirt that the three-quarter sleeves would be more balanced.
For styling I paired with square heeled, neutral sandals
Life has been not as expected this year. I haven’t worn them out in public other than the day we photographed them. I hope to wear one of them over the weekend. This is an absolute fabulous pattern!
Hello Lovelies, this is Brenda from the Netherlands.
I’ve made 1 Anais top and 1 Anais dress as of yet.
I think this pattern is the perfect combination of modern and retro. It is a very easy pattern to make, you can have a new top or dress within the hour.
I can’t remember where I got my fabrics, they were already in my stash. So I’m sorry, no link today.
I’ve worn the dress on a couple of occasions, one being at work. Everybody loved the dress.
So if you want to have an easy pattern with a fabulous outcome, look no further.
If you want to see more of my sewing my instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/fabricfairybrenda/
Love Brenda
Hi friends, I’m José and I’m from the Netherlands ! I’ve enjoyed making my Anais dress, in seperates. I had some issues because my trusty sewing machine was away on maintenance, and I’ve found out that it was possible to do this dress almost completely on my serger and coverstitch. I started sewing my darts on the sewing machine from my bestie, which is the only part I did need to do.The neckline is bound bij coverstitch and I find that it does great things for tightening the neckline which can be wobbly with thinner fabrics because of the bias. So something to consider if you have the option for coverstitching. My version with elbow sleeves fitted out of 2 meters of fabrics comfortably so you can do this with a slightly smaller cut than is stated in the instructions. I love that I can switch the pieces out with other combinations. I’ve showed it with pumps, but I would wear it with boots and sneakers just as easily. The construction is very easy so definitely a beginner project, if the fitting instructions are followed, especially the part about choosing the size and cupsize.You’re honna love it too! If you’d like to see more of my makes, please check out https://www.instagram.com/jose.vernooy
Hi, my name is Marie and i live in the Netherlands. I was really thinking about what fabric to use, because i just love beautiful fabrics. The jersey panel i used from stenzo fabrics i had laying around already for a year because i loved it so much, but was afraid i would have to cut away to much. I decided to go for it with the Anais and i’m glad i did because it turned out so pretty! I did buy it in the local fabric shop where i work at and we don’t have a online shop. The sewing tips i have for sewing this is just take your time, use maybe some premade jersey biastape. Use the elastic if needed in the waist so help you feel more snatched.
I choose the long sleeve dress version because i wanted so sewing it for fall and it feels so comfortable. Once i got the sizes correct i did not have alter anything, except for blending between sizes. I did not wear it yet because it is still too hot for long sleeves but i am going to wear it a lot once it is a bit colder. My husband really loves the fit and the way it looks.
I am most definitely going so sew up some more! for fall and for spring etc. I just really love this style dresses.
my instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/creatiesbymarie…
I chose to make the 3/4 sleeve with shorter pencil skirt combo in a scuba knit purchased from Lush Fabrics www.lushfabrics.com.au
Overall it was a very quick and easy sew, providing you don’t sew on your skirt inside out to the bodice and then have to unpick it!
No fit alterations were required apart from adding a press stud to the cross over section for a bit more modesty.
I have worn my Anais to work multiple times and am always complemented!
Definitely have plans to make more for work! Just love this style so much!
You can find me at www.facebook.com/sewaholiccreations or www.instagram.com/sewaholiccreations
Hi, I’m Steph from Sydney, Australia!
I decided to sew the Anais as separates—a flared skirt paired with the short-sleeved top. I chose a gorgeous ponte fabric with just the right amount of weight. It gives the skirt a beautiful drape while keeping the peplum lines crisp and flattering. I love that by making the Anais as separates, I’ve opened up endless styling options—wear them together as a chic co-ord set, or mix and match with other pieces in my wardrobe.
A couple of tips if you’re planning to sew your own Anais:
– Don’t skip the elastic! It adds essential structure to the top and makes a world of difference in how it fits and feels.
– Mark your notches. Trust me, they’ll save you time during construction.
I’ve already worn my Anais both as a full set and as individual pieces, and every time I do, I feel fabulous. Honestly, nothing beats the joy of replying, “Thanks, I made it myself!” when someone compliments your outfit.