Great end result and instructions

Reviewed by Sewyourhappy on 23rd August, 2019

I fell in love with the Seren pattern by Tilly and The Buttons the moment it was first released. I haven’t bought it though, instead got it through the pattern swap 2019. My fabric required lining so I adapted the pattern for that, in-seam pockets and off I went to make Seren…

I expected the bodice to require some fitting adjustments after reading reviews and yes… adjustments there were. I tried the bodice on at the stage suggested in the instructions booklet and at it was looking way too big at the chest so my second version I sized down before attaching the lining and straps.

This one came too tight so I went back to the bigger size only to try it on again when the full bodice was assembled to the skirt and realise that: it was in fact too big, the darts were too short and in a totally wrong place for my girls…
I ended up lowering the darts (all four of them) by 2cm and lengthening them by 3cm. Then I shaved 1cm off the sides above the darts et voila!

I’m super happy with how this turned out in the end, albeit I didn’t enjoy the process. Nothing to do with the pattern itself. It produced a lovely dress that I can see becoming my summer uniform. Sometimes you just attack a project with a wrong set of assumptions. I expected quick and easy sew whilst it turned out to be a bit confusing and time consuming because of the fit issues, added pockets and lining.

My advice? Do a toile 🙂