Great pattern – instructions could be clearer

As soon as I saw the latest pattern from Selkie I fell in love with it. There are options to make a blouse, knee length dress and maxi dress and I really love it when a company produces a pattern with lots of options. You really feel like you’re getting your moneys worth.

It’s got some really lovely details like ruffles inserted into the raglan sleeve seam or the waist. You can add a ruffle to the skirt too if you want to. There’s an option to also include a slit Up the skirt seam to make it easier to move when making the maxi version.

I chose to make the maxi dress with ruffle along the raglan seam. I love a dress pattern and could see myself wearing it in the summer months. It is a fabric hungry pattern as the skirt is cut on the bias. The skirt Patten piece is huge!!!

As this was my first time trying out the pattern I did adjust it to ensure I only used half the recommended amount of fabric. Instead of the suggested 5 or so metres I used 2 and a half. To do this I folded the skirt pattern piece in half and cut it on the fold twice. This did mean it wasn’t a bias cut skirt but for my trail version I wasn’t bothered about this. Actually now it has been sewn up I really like the finished look and will make it again using this method.

I have only given this pattern 3 stars for the simple fact the instructions aren’t great. I’ve got a fair bit of seeing knowledge and consider myself an intermediate sewists but I was left scratching my head in parts. It’s mainly down to the images they’ve chosen to accompany the pattern instructions. They’ve chosen a dark floral fabric which makes it very difficult to see how a step is carried out. You can’t see the stitching or fold of fabric like you would be able to if they’d used a plain fabric perhaps or drawings.

I also ended up chopping off 4 inches from the skirt once I’d sewn it up – I’m 5’ 6 inches so wasn’t expecting to waste such a huge strip of fabric. I also had to take an inch off the bodice as it came up too long on me. There is a fair amount of gaping too which can be resolved by adding a popper on the inside – this is suggested in the pattern.

You finish the waist by stitching elastic into the waist seam on the inside which creates a slightly gathered look which I like.

Overall it’s a nice dress pattern with some lovely details I just wish the photos that accompany the instructions were a little clearer. I will definitely make another one but I’m not sure I’ll cut the skirt on the bias – I’m pleased with how my skirt looks after cutting it on the fold.