Another pattern repeat – the Crafty Mamas Cherish dress.

This is a pattern that I’ve used a few times and always have success with. Unfortunately, this time is was almost unsuccessful! As well as having sewn it for myself, I’ve sewn it for my mum in a different size and length. I intended to sew a maxi this time, but accidentally grabbed the wrong size and length pattern and started cutting. When I realised it was already too late – I had cut the dress shorter than maxi length. It was easy enough to cut the rest of the sizing down to fit me, but there was nothing to be done about the length. I balled up the fabric and tossed it into a corner – something that I rarely do!

So after I got back from Bali I pulled the dress pieces out and sewed them up. After trying on the dress at the length it had been cut out at, I decided to add a ruffle to the bottom to lengthen it to maxi. I cut two strips four and a half inches wide across the entire width of the pattern, then gathered it gently and stitched it with a zig zag around the outside of the dress hem. I left the ruffle edges raw. The fabric is one of those very stretchy and slinky stretch polyester jerseys and I didn’t want too much weight in the hemline. I think that the ruffle worked a treat.

I also like the gentle gathers that turn the neckline from a wide scoop into a rounded v-shape and provide room for bust shaping. This is a very forgiving style of dress and mostly skims over my bulges quite nicely.

The neckline and armholes are finished with simple circular bands that are just the right size to ensure the edges sit closely to the body. This is a very easy dress to wear. The fabric came from the Darn Cheap Fabrics $2 table – it’s not really my best colours but I know I’ll wear it anyway.

My other versions of this dress are here and here and here. It can be made at any length from tunic length through to maxi, and is a quick and satisfying sew, pretty much all on the overlocker.