I’m rather pleased that I discovered George and Ginger patterns.  I haven’t sewn any for myself yet, but I love that the sizes start at tween.  It makes them so useful when sewing for my daughters!

This dress was an impulse sew. I think that I had the pattern bought, printed, taped, cut out and sewn up in less than two hours from when I came across it. It’s the With Love Dress. Very simple and straightforward, easy to wear garment.

From the pattern website: With Love is a dolman style dress with a flattering elastic waistband.  Perfect for spring and summer, it is a quick sew with stunning results!  Dress and maxi length options, along with side vents on the maxi version. Suggest fabric for this dress is a 2-way lightweight jersey or rayon spandex knit for better drape.  However, any knit fabric, including cotton lycra or sweater knit, with at least 50% stretch will work.

I chose to sew the tween 14 top, graded to women’s 0 through the waist and hips.  We’re happy with the resulting fit, although it actually looks quite good on Stella too!  Stella is basically the same shape and proportions as Clare, just one size smaller, so it’s roomier on her, but not so much that it’s too big. Clare wasn’t especially thrilled that it also fitted and looked nice on her four and half years younger sister….

As you’d imagine there isn’t much to this dress.  Same pattern piece for the front/back skirt and same pattern piece for the front/back bodice, the front neckline cut deeper than the back.  The neckline is finished wth a binding rather than a band, which is a neckline finish that I am becoming more and more drawn to.  The waistline casing is formed by stitching the bodice and skirt together, running another line of stitching an inch further in, then pressing that up and topstitching it to the bodice while leaving an opening for elastic insertion.  It’s drafted so that the waistline is fitted, without there being excess blousinesses.

The fabric was an op shop find, but I have been reliably informed that it is a rayon/spandex knit originally from Spotlight. Such a cute border print! Clare feels that this dress is a nice casual summer wardrobe addition. I suspect that I’ll sew another at some stage.