pattern tester roundup
Shelby Dress Pattern Testers Roundup Part 2
Hey ho my lovelies.
Let us continue the fabulous cavalcade of the Shelby Dress Pattern Testers – Part 2 – also known as everything spectacular (;>
As you would have seen from yesterday’s blog post – Part 1 of the Shelby Dress Pattern Tester Roundups – that drape is the key to the design on the Shelby.
But also, key is the fabric used and the fit of the garment.
Having a choice of cup sizes in the pattern is one of the great aspects of using Designer Stitch Patterns.
Fine tuning of sizes will always ensure you can achieve the best fit possible.
And none more so than the Shelby Dress.
Achieving the fit will only enhance the design details of the dress even more.
Ensuring that your confidence is enhanced knowing how great you look in your own Shelby Dress.
So, my friends – please give an WOOT WOOT this time to our fabulous Shelby Dress Pattern Testers Roundups – Part 2.
My roadies would like to share with you
1. Their name and where you live?
2. What fabric combinations did they choose and where did you purchase.
3. What sewing tips can they share when sewing the Shelby Dress?
4. What was your style choice for the Shelby Dress?
5. What fit alterations did you have to make to the Shelby Dress?
6. Have you worn your Shelby Dress yet and what compliments did you receive.
7. Any plans for future combinations of the Shelby Dress?
And the finer details; (AU/UK) 6 – 30 (US) 2 – 26 (EU) 34 – 58
On Sale for a limited time only – $9.25
Very Confident Advanced Beginner and Above Sewing level.
Shelby Dress
Greetings from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US. My name is Allison and I absolutely am so impressed with the Shelby Dress.
As always, take current body measurements, use the instructions in the pattern to select the correct cup sizing, and grade between sizes for a perfect fit! A toile out of comparable material is absolutely necessary and worth the effort.
The twist collar for Shelby looks complex. It isn’t. The instructions even warn not to over think. Do one step, then do the next step. Check each step to make sure it is matching the expected outcome. You will discover you have a fabulous twist collar made up in a few steps.
My version is made from a lightweight black jersey with a gold metallic thread. Due to the stretch of this fabric, I did end up adding elastic to the waistline for additional support.
Can we talk about the sleeves? They are all the drama one could every want! Check to make sure your elastic stretches as much as recommended in the pattern instructions. Mine did not stretch that much, so I had to alter the length of my cut a bit to reach necessary stretch length. Take your time marking the stitching line and adding the elastic to the sleeves.
While the fabric I choose is jersey the metallic thread and amazing design make this dress perfect for an evening out.
I have yet to wear mine out other than photos. For that I styled with black and gold heels paired with a black evening bag. Compliments? Well, not that day. It was drizzly and chilly, but the evening lighting was on reflecting in the puddles, so turned out nice for photos.
I have another Shelby ready to be worn. Highly recommend this dress!
Hello
My name is Caroline and I live in Brussels, Belgium. I would more than ever recommend you to make a toile in inexpensive fabric first, which is what I did. I had some gaping at the back hole at first with my toile, but a simple swayback adjustment fixed that. To get the perfect fit I also decided on a 2cm centre back seam adjustment and a 1 cm narrow shoulder adjustment. I also lowered the bust darts by 1cm and graded from a 4,5 DD cup at shoulders /bust to a 7 at waist and hips. And I lengthened the bodice by 1 cm to have the seam sit nicely below my bust. All of this is actually rather typical for my body, no surprising alterations needed.
I made 2 Shelby’s with these adjustments. For both I chose the non ruched, sleeveless option, as I thought the neckline is so gorgeous it deserves all the attention. My flowery one is a 200gr viscose jersey, middle length of the skirt. I will be wearing that one with boots and layered with a cardigan over fall and winter. The other one is a 170gr viscose knit with lurex thread, giving it a sparkle, which I couldn’t capture in the pictures but feels glorious. I opted for the longest skirt on that one and the result is a very classy, fancy dress. I wore that one on my birthday and received lots of compliments.
I really love my Shelby’s! I joined the testing a week late but am extremely happy Ann still let me join as I absolutely adore both Shelby’s and feel spectacular when wearing them. They are also very much boyfriend approved, which is a nice plus!
I’m on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nachtnaaisels
Hello sewing friends ☺️ I am Macu from Spain and the Shelby dress pattern was love at first sight ❤️
This Dandelion print elastic tulle was one of my treasure fabrics bought in Barcelona last July in the “Encants flea market “ and I thought it perfect for Shelby.
I made my wearable toile with another fabric that had been 4 years in my stash for being to dark for my liking – The thing is I do love the result ❤️
I chose long sleeve as it’s Autumn up in the North and I tried the version without the ruching first and it was amazing but I made the second with the ruching and I love it too.
Which version do you prefer?
Anyway for this dress you need am elastic fabric with good drape , I also made made some shoulders wings out of stiff tulle to enhance the sleeves. Adding cuffs for full length sleeves is in my mind.
I required no alterations at all and given the pattern comes with different cup sizes makes it simpler and easier.
I wore my Shelby n1 to work last week and I had a meeting where many colleagues loved my dress
To can find me both in Instagram and Facebook as @macusewinglove
IG
FB
Hi, I’m Luana, and I live in Raleigh, NC, in the US.
For my Shelby dress I used a ITY fabric that I’ve got from Amazon few years ago.
I chose the shortest dress version of the pattern with elbow sleeves to which I applied my usual alterations: sway-back adjustment and tapered at the top of the center back.
My advice in sewing the Shelby is to check whether your fabric rolls or if you would be better off topstitching the keyholes so you can do that when is most convenient.
My Instagram https://instagram.com/lmfcrafts
Hello Lovelies! This is Tina from California and I’m here to share my Shelby dress with you. I used this beautiful floral ITY from Amanda’s Bundles. I went with the ruched option with 3/4 sleeves. I love how flowy and lightweight this fabric is. I’ve received so many compliments while out to dinner. I did my usual sway back adjustments and it fits great! We’re in Fall approaching Winter so I’ll be sewing the longer skirt option and pairing it with boots. Shelby is a pretty fast sew, don’t let all the gatherers intimate you.
Beck Smith – I really enjoyed sewing the Shelby dress. It looks so fancy and put together. I used rayon spandex for one of my dresses and a rib knit for my other dress, both from Lush Fabrics Australia. I made my usual fitting adjustments like grading for my waist and using a larger armscye and sleeve. This dress comes together beautifully and is super comfortable to wear.
Hello, my name is Ada Díaz, I am from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. The fabric I used was a polyester spandex from Walmart. The sewing tip I can recommend is to use the elastic in the ruched areas, which, as Ann told us, helps a lot with the fit in that area. I made the sleeveless Shelby dress and the shorter option in length with ruched front and back, my size was between two so I adjusted the size between 3 and 4 and the fit fit perfectly without any further alterations. I would like to later make the option without ruched areas. I consider myself an adventurous beginner and I was able to do it.
Hello everyone. My name is Tina and I live in UK in Yorkshire. My Shelby was made out of a medium weight jersey ribbed knit fabric. My fabric was purchased at Knighton Fabrics Community. When sewing my Shelby a tip to pass on would be to not worry when you are stretching that elastic. The finish on those sleeves is fabulous.
I sewed the elbow sleeve length with full ruching front and back and did not make any alterations. I’ve not worn my Shelby out yet but can wait to wear it and look a million dollars!