Bonnie Dress

The Bonnie Blouse and Dress is a really cute, vintage-inspired pattern with lots of lovely detail and a real skill-builder.  This is definitely an intermediate pattern and I would not suggest making it as a beginner.  My number one tip is make sure you mark all the pleat lines and notches on your fabric carefully to give you a fighting chance of getting even, crisps pleats.  Take your time, really read the instructions carefully and follow every step as described.  For the hidden button placket it’s important to get the measurements just right, so again, make sure you’ve cut your notches carefully and measure each step precisely.  The collar is relatively easy to construct and I love the bias binding finish to it.

I made the dress version which has a simple, comfortable elasticated waist.  The fabric I used is a lightweight viscose/rayon which holds the pleats well but is also drapey enough for the skirt.  I cut a straight size 14, with no alterations, other than to sew the elastic channel down into the skirt rather than up into the bodice so that the channel sat closer to my natural waist.  Next time I would lengthen the bodice by an inch.  I also did French seams throughout as it was such a delicate fabric.

B: 39” W: 32” H: 42” Height 5ft3”