pattern tester roundup
Shardee Wrap Top Dress Pattern Tester Roundup Part 1
And a g’day here from Australia to you all my lovely sew’ist friends. I hope that you and your family are all well and happy xx
Today is the day – where I get the chance to again SHOWCASE my wonderful wonderful roadies and their stunning Shardee makes in Part 1 of our Shardee Wrap Top Dress Pattern Tester Roundup. YAHOO !!!
The Shardee Top – or Dress – reflects Designer Stitch’s fabulous FIT ! and will be your go-to for many occasions. Cut in a stretch jersey that swishes and swirls with every step, this style exudes effortless appeal with its flowy wrap silhouette. Slip on your Shardee and wrap the Top or Dress around your body to create a streamlined V-neck hourglass shape.
The Shardee’s V-neckline is designed to suit all bust sizes with its picture collar for added detail.
Make your Shardee in its peplum top length – or its flared A-line above knee, knee or tea skirt length for a stunning silhouette to skim over and flatter the hips.
The Shardee is the PERFECT top or dress for your transeasonal wardrobe. I can guarantee yours will be in heavy rotation as the Shardee is so easy to wear yet with loads of fashion STYLE !
So lets start the Shardee Wrap Top and Dress Tester Roundup Part 1 – and I can guarantee you will be BEDAZZLED by all of my amazing testers. Love you all xx
Our roadies would like to share the following with you all :
If you could share with the readers ?
1. Your name and where you live ?
2. Your choice of option for the Shardee and why ?
3. What fabric did you choose and where did you purchase ?
4. What sewing tips can you share when sewing the Shardee?
5. What was your favourite thing about making the Shardee?
6. Have you worn your Shardee yet and what compliments did you receive.
7. And have you made any more versions of the Shardee – or have any plans too ?
2. Your choice of option for the Shardee and why ?
3. What fabric did you choose and where did you purchase ?
4. What sewing tips can you share when sewing the Shardee?
5. What was your favourite thing about making the Shardee?
6. Have you worn your Shardee yet and what compliments did you receive.
7. And have you made any more versions of the Shardee – or have any plans too ?
And the finer details;
(AU/UK) 6 – 30
(US) 2 – 26
(EU) 34 – 58
Cup Sizes – B, C, D, DD
On Sale for a limited time only – $9.50(US)
Very Confident Advanced Beginner and Above Sewing level
Shardee Wrap Top and Dress
My name is Elise and I live in Queensland, Australia. I made the short sleeve version of the Shardee which I love.
Though the next one I have planned will be long sleeve so I can wear through winter.
I made it using Rayon Spandex from Spotlight, I really like the way that Rayon Spandex drapes in this dress.
My favourite features are the low V neck line and full swirly skirt.
I wore this dress out for dinner for my 10 year wedding anniversary and I felt amazing.
Though the next one I have planned will be long sleeve so I can wear through winter.
I made it using Rayon Spandex from Spotlight, I really like the way that Rayon Spandex drapes in this dress.
My favourite features are the low V neck line and full swirly skirt.
I wore this dress out for dinner for my 10 year wedding anniversary and I felt amazing.
Hi, I’m Carmen from Georgia. I chose to sew a peplum Shardee without the collar and with 3/4″ sleeves because I’m always in need of a pretty shirt to wear with jeans.
I made Shardee from a floral double brushed poly knit I purchased at Girl Charlie. It is so soft and easy to sew.
I made Shardee from a floral double brushed poly knit I purchased at Girl Charlie. It is so soft and easy to sew.
I have worn my Shardee on a trip with my children to an ice cream shop. I didn’t receive any compliments but I still felt pretty wearing it.
Allison F. USA
I will start by saying I NEVER wear wrap dresses! There are two reasons for this. First, was wardrobe malfunction in high school that involved a wrap dress, a school bus, wind and a common full of fellow high school students. Second, they never fit my bust right.
BUT…SHARDEE! (It ought to be a song)I made all three; peplum, midi and tea length. My final is the tea length made from a rayon spandex obtained at Joann Fabrics. The day we took pictures had brutal wind, Shardee flipped and flirted, but stayed closed at all times. And she fits the bust with perfection.
Using rayon spandex, I found two things. First, I added clear unstretched elastic to the waist to support the weight of the skirt. Also, let her hang for a day or two before hemming. The tea length skirt did stretch out some which required leveling.
As for styling I wore mine with red heels for the finals photos but have also worn it with sandals for the beach. My midi length is great with fleece leggings and boots. Shardee can be fun for a day with friends, professional enough for the office, or even dressy for an evening out.
You can see my version at https://www.facebook.com/Songs-of-Thread-725505747577599/
Hello all, This is Brenda from The Netherlands.
I made 2 Shardee dresses, my first one is without the collar and cuffs and the second is with. I think it is a fun detail in the dress and it is easier to make than you think.
I used cotton lycra on both of my dresses, I got those at https://www.megastoffen.nl/.
The Shardee dress is an easy dress to sew, BUT! It is the first wrap dress that fits me well. I got no gaping around my bust but there is also enough fabric to cover everything. If you just follow the instructions your dress is going to be lovely.
I have worn mine multiple times already, just around the house, cause yeah, still got nowhere to go with covid.
Next I’m planning a top version to compliment my jeans.
Want to see more of my sewing here is my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabricfairybrenda/
Hi! I’m Barbara and I live in Northeastern Mississippi, USA. For my Shardee, I chose the peplum length with the collar and 3/4 length sleeves with cuffs. I used Lady McElroy Canet’s soft jersey that was graciously gifted by Minervadotcom. You can read about my Shardee here: https://www.minerva.com/posts/1066239
This is such an easy sew, that my only sewing tip would be to read the instructions! I have worn my Shardee out and about and received many compliments. I plan on making a short sleeve tea-length Shardee for our upcoming Spring/Summer. https://www.instagram.com/ninjabreadgirl61sews/
1. Pimrak P. I live in Brisbane, Australia
2. I chose tea-length dress because I feel it is more age appropriate for me and it makes me feel more sophisticated.
3. It is a polyester jersey. I bought it from East Coast fabric shop at https://eastcoastfabrics.com.au/
4. Use jersey needle and a walking foot. Also, lower the presser foot tension a little so it does not drag the fabric.
5. Can I have more than one? V-neck, true wrap dress, and of course the super twirly factor!
6. No, not yet. We are in summer and I am waiting for the weather to be a bit cooler so I can show off my Shardee.
Though, I have shown my girlfriend the dress and she liked it.
7. No, not yet as I have been busy with all the beautiful new patterns that Ann keeps on creating (endlessly!)
8. https://www.facebook.com/pimrak/
2. I chose tea-length dress because I feel it is more age appropriate for me and it makes me feel more sophisticated.
3. It is a polyester jersey. I bought it from East Coast fabric shop at https://eastcoastfabrics.com.au/
4. Use jersey needle and a walking foot. Also, lower the presser foot tension a little so it does not drag the fabric.
5. Can I have more than one? V-neck, true wrap dress, and of course the super twirly factor!
6. No, not yet. We are in summer and I am waiting for the weather to be a bit cooler so I can show off my Shardee.
Though, I have shown my girlfriend the dress and she liked it.
7. No, not yet as I have been busy with all the beautiful new patterns that Ann keeps on creating (endlessly!)
8. https://www.facebook.com/pimrak/
I am Annet L and i live in the Netherlands.
I choose the above knee length of the Shardee dress and the elbow sleeve length.
I used an viscose jersey. I bougth it by the lappenkraam a shop and webshop from Holland.
Choose a smooth fabric. So you van perfect twirl with your beautiful Shardee dress.
I love the collar and the sleeves option so much!
Yes i wear it a much and al the people loves it. And the colors of my fabric.
I have made 2 Shardee dresses. And i plan more of them.
My name is Taryn from Cape Town, South Africa.
I initially had my heart set on making the longest length with collar and ¾ sleeves because of the beautiful cuff detail. Not only do I love to have designer detailing in my clothes, but it also helps me to keep on improving as I try out different techniques. I was a bit short on fabric so ended going with the knee-length dress which retrospectively I think was the better length choice anyway because it adds extra playfulness to the dress. I used a tropical print Liverpool and while perhaps a little thicker than specified, I felt like it still draped well while providing a bit of structure to really show off that ¾ circle skirt to its fullest.
I initially had my heart set on making the longest length with collar and ¾ sleeves because of the beautiful cuff detail. Not only do I love to have designer detailing in my clothes, but it also helps me to keep on improving as I try out different techniques. I was a bit short on fabric so ended going with the knee-length dress which retrospectively I think was the better length choice anyway because it adds extra playfulness to the dress. I used a tropical print Liverpool and while perhaps a little thicker than specified, I felt like it still draped well while providing a bit of structure to really show off that ¾ circle skirt to its fullest.
Being a ¾ circle wrap skirt, the hem is going to drop so don’t be in a hurry to hem it otherwise you’ll end up with a wonky hem. I let my dress hang for a couple of days before leveling the skirt and hemming. I am fortunate to have a dressmaker’s mannequin which made it easier for me to level the hem.
There is a very useful tutorial Ann shared on how to do this if you don’t have someone to assist.
I love wearing my Shardee – it is comfortable and stylish – my favourite combination – and it makes me smile whenever I wear it (even if the smile is hidden behind the matching mask I made from some of the fabric scraps 😉). I do have another Shardee version in mind which I want to use black lace over a bright coral base with a black collar and cuffs.
If you would like to see my Shardee and other creations, come take a peek at what I am up to on https://www.instagram.com/creatazzly or https://www.facebook.com/creatazzly/
There is a very useful tutorial Ann shared on how to do this if you don’t have someone to assist.
I love wearing my Shardee – it is comfortable and stylish – my favourite combination – and it makes me smile whenever I wear it (even if the smile is hidden behind the matching mask I made from some of the fabric scraps 😉). I do have another Shardee version in mind which I want to use black lace over a bright coral base with a black collar and cuffs.
If you would like to see my Shardee and other creations, come take a peek at what I am up to on https://www.instagram.com/creatazzly or https://www.facebook.com/creatazzly/
Hi I’m Shardee from the Netherlands.
Familiar name? 🤣 yes that’s right, the Shardee dress is named after me 😬😍
How awesome is that.
I have a weakness off vintage inspired dresses, most of all the tea length.
So it was easy to choose 😉 I made tne tea length, with collar and cuffs.
The fabric I used is a mix of cotton jersey and visose Jersey. It’s steady enough to carry the weight of the tea length and flowy to make its falls so beautifully.
When you put on the Shardee, embrace yourself, because you’re getting a lot of compliments 😉
In the winter a short little vest will do the trick to stay a little bit warmer, and I don’t break the look of the dress.
Sewing the Shardee is fun and easy, the trick part is to level the collar 😉
If you like to see more of my sewing work and a bit of my private life, follow me on insta Www.instagram.com/Sdvtje 😘
Hi, I’m Amanda and I am from Perth, Western Australia.
I made the above knee version with Elbow length sleeves.
For my Shardee Dress, I used some Double brushed poly that I purchased from a local Perth retailer called Lush Fabrics.
My number 1 sewing tip when making the Shardee, is to take accurate measurements and make the size that is right for them. I have personally gained some “Covid Kilos” over the last few months, and so when I was preparing to make my Shardee, it was tempted to make my usual size, however I sucked it up, and made the size recommended in the tables, and sure enough a perfectly fitting dress that is super flattering! So don’t get hung up on the numbers!
I have worn my Shardee dress several times now, and I always get so many compliments, and people have me stopped while I’m out to comment on how lovely my dress is, and ask where I purchased it!! So it’s a definite winner! I love telling people I made it myself, and secretly knowing that making it isn’t as hard as it looks!
I look forward seeing everyone else’s Shardee makes!
Hello again, I’m Kelly from California. My Shardee is above knee, three quarter sleeve with no collar. I used a double brushed poly for the bodice and sleeves, and a lightweight rayon spandex for the skirt, both some of my swap meet fabric finds.
My favourite thing about making the Shardee was seeing the end result actually fit my bust so well with the first go – measure yourself before cutting your fabric and you can’t go wrong 🙂 I also love that it’s a true wrap dress – nothing against faux styles, there’s just something that makes me feel sexy and sophisticated in a true wrap.
I find myself reaching for my Shardee anytime I’m tired of wearing leggings – I’ve worn it to the store, and also just to lounge at home (my husband loves when I slip it on!)
You can find me on Instagram to see more of my DS makes at https://www.instagram.com/kellygonthierart/
1) Lianne lee from Singapore
2. Short sleeve, knee length option in size 2 B
3. Rayon spandex from spotlight
4. Go slow when seeing the neck binding.
5. It has pockets!!!
6. Yes I have worn it to work and my colleagues couldn’t believe I made it.
7. Yes I’m planning to make a couple more in some other rayon spandex prints I found at spotlight
Hey, it’s Narelle from Perth, Western Australia.
I chose the peplum top option for the Shardee as I don’t wear dresses that often (and I already have a wardrobe full of Designer Stitch dresses!). I live in tops and jeans!
I made it in a double brushed poly from Lush Fabrics Australia.
My favourite thing about making the Shardee was trying on the toile, leaning forward, and seeing how perfectly the fabric sits on my boobs.
Perfect coverage without having to adjust it or worry that I’m revealing too much!
I wear my Shardee all the time for working from home and on the school run.
While I haven’t received any compliments, I feel so much prettier than just wearing a standard tee, but just as comfortable. It also looks fabulous with my Dylan pants!
I definitely have plans for more Shardee peplums in my wardrobe, and I’m almost tempted to make a dress too…
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