Ida Dress

Reviewed by julesmadethis on 20th January, 2018

This was actually my Christmas Day dress, but I never managed to get any photos of me wearing it on the big day, hence the slow blogging. It is a Seamwork Ida which is billed as a “classic little knit dress” and it certainly has a classic shape. The pattern has a boat neck, capped sleeves and a side split on one side. It is a simple construction with only four pattern pieces and with it being made in a stable jersey there’s no need to worry about darts.

I used a dark green scuba fabric from Saeeds in Walthamstow Market, which is very easy to sew with and holds the shape of the dress well. Although I wish I had chosen a more interesting fabric now, perhaps with a embossed pattern?

I cut a size S and graded out to a M on the waist based on the fact that it’s quite a figure hugging dress and I didn’t want it to be too tight across the tummy and bottom. However, on reflection I wish I had stuck with a size S all over as it’s slightly large around the waist and hips now… It’s not the end of the world though as it means I can comfortably eat a big meal and not have to worry, which is ideal for a Christmas Day dress!

I made up the dress mainly using my overlocker, but also using my normal sewing machine to tack tricky bits first and to do a twin needle stitch around the edges. I have got to grips with the settings for using my twin needle with jersey fabrics now, it seems a longer stitch length and the loosest possible tension are the best for me.

The construction is very simple and I’m particularly relieved that there is a centre back seam because I had to take quite a sizeable chunk out of the top back for some reason. I do quite often take out a little bit here because of my body shape, but it was ridiculously baggy when I tried it on! I wonder whether I had stretched out the neckline when I was stabilising it with ribbon? Either way I had to take out about an extra 2.5cm from the top neckline gradually reducing down towards the mid back, which was thankfully easy due to the centre back seam being there. It does sadly mean it’s a bit scrappy on the inside, but I’ve hopefully hidden the worst of it by sewing a label in the back neck!

If I made this pattern again I would definitely increase the size of the capped sleeves slightly. I have made capped sleeves before on my Tilly and the Buttons Etta  and I think they were a lot more flattering on my arms than these. It just needs an extra couple of centimetres I reckon, just to add a little more coverage as you are looking straight on.

My favourite things about this pattern are the length of the skirt (which is just right!) and the side split in the skirt. It means it’s very easy to move and ridiculously comfortable for a smart dress. It’s definitely worth a go if you’re after a quick smart outfit!