This week I had the honour of testing the Bateau Garden Dress for the lovely Suzanne from Winter Wear Designs.
The dress has 2 bodice options and a number of skirt options
Option 1 with the bodice has cross over straps that look so unique and elegant.
I chose to make option 2
Option 2 is a scoop back bodice and to me this gives the dress a real 1950's retro feel
The dress has 2 bodice options and a number of skirt options
Option 1 with the bodice has cross over straps that look so unique and elegant.
I chose to make option 2
Option 2 is a scoop back bodice and to me this gives the dress a real 1950's retro feel
For the skirt you have the option of a rectangular skirt or circle skirt, petticoat, and standard or vintage length.
I decided to use full circle skirt with the additional petticoat in a standard length (as I was worried the vintage length would be too short on miss lanky legs ;)
OK on to the pattern.
The bodice is fully lined and the method used for enclosing all the seams, is not one I have used before but is definitely one I will use again. It is one of easiest ways I have come across to sew a lining to a bodice with a full back, and Suzanne explains it very well. I made Zoe the straight size four as even though as always she falls between sizes I wanted to test one size. Looking at the way the dress fits her I will probably make the size 3 and merge it with the length of the 5 next time. (miss lanky see ;) )
The dress went together fairly quickly and the instructions are clear. I had some difficulty attaching the concealed Zip and getting my waist band to match up
I decided to use full circle skirt with the additional petticoat in a standard length (as I was worried the vintage length would be too short on miss lanky legs ;)
OK on to the pattern.
The bodice is fully lined and the method used for enclosing all the seams, is not one I have used before but is definitely one I will use again. It is one of easiest ways I have come across to sew a lining to a bodice with a full back, and Suzanne explains it very well. I made Zoe the straight size four as even though as always she falls between sizes I wanted to test one size. Looking at the way the dress fits her I will probably make the size 3 and merge it with the length of the 5 next time. (miss lanky see ;) )
The dress went together fairly quickly and the instructions are clear. I had some difficulty attaching the concealed Zip and getting my waist band to match up
I will state this was entirely my problem not the pattern! my only excuse was it was my 1st time doing a concealed Zip and I was focusing on that not my seams (oops sorry Genine I'll do better next time) I also deviated slightly from the pattern at this point and I chose to hand sew my lining rather than machine sew as I wanted a nice finish inside and and around my Zipper. ( Yay me! )
I finished the skirt with a narrow hem but on my next one I will use single fold bias tape as I think it gives a nicer finish (and this is stated in the pattern)
All in all I think this is a lovely pattern and one that I will certainly be doing again although as I said I will be doing a few things a little differently
The dress passed the twirl test with flying colours
I finished the skirt with a narrow hem but on my next one I will use single fold bias tape as I think it gives a nicer finish (and this is stated in the pattern)
All in all I think this is a lovely pattern and one that I will certainly be doing again although as I said I will be doing a few things a little differently
The dress passed the twirl test with flying colours
And both Zoe and I love the fact that the skirt is poofy all by it's self with out the added weight of a separate petticoat
As I was going for a vintage feel with this dress I needed a vintage style hair accessory. I did a quick google search and came across another Blog that had a baby's head tie pattern that was exactly what I wanted. So I just added a couple of extra inches to it and voilà vintage hair. find the blog here
You can find the Bateau dress over here via Suzanne's Etsy page, and I happen to know right now if you join her facebook group there is currently a discount code ( but grab it quick it won't last long!)