Last Saturday, I had 4 untinterrupted hours to myself (can’t remember when was the last time!) so I locked myself in my sewing room, decided to use that time well. I wanted to sew for myself, something easy and that I could wear now and later after pregnancy. I remembered seeing the Hinterland dress by Sew Liberated on instagram worn by a pregnant lady and loved it. It reminded me of the Cami dress pattern, View B, without collar. As it’s my oldest pattern, it’s one I know very well how to make and the modifications were easy and fast.
Here is what I did:
- I used View B with the empire waistline and no darts. I scooped the front neckline about 10 cm (4″) but left the back as it was.
- Instead of the Cami skirt pattern pieces, I used the entire width of my fabric (it was 150 cm (60″) wide) and cut 2 rectangles of 75 cm x 75 cm long seam allowances included. I didn’t add the buttonband on the front skirt pieces, just gathered the two skirts. As the waistline is not fitted, I can pull the dress up easily.
- I had just enough fabric to add back ties and pockets (but not enough for sleeves for I went for a sleeveless version). I changed a bit the pocket shape as I wanted to have the top edge inserted inside the waist seam. I find that this way, they stay perfectly in place in the front of the skirt and if I put something inside, they don’t pull so much from the weight.
- I omitted the sleeves as I didn’t enough fabric (I had 1,5 m (1 yd 2ft)). I took example from the Hinterland dress and finished the neckline and armholes with bias binding.
It was a very fast sew and I was able to finish the dress during that afternoon and wear the dress the very next day. Such a great feeling as during the last couple of months, I haven’t used my sewing machine much and only for making muslins.
For the fabric, I used a lovely emerald green linen (looks more blue on the pictures but it’s a very difficult colour to photograph). I’ve had it for quite some time and I don’t remember when or where I bought it. I think I’ll wear it a lot for what’s left of my pregnancy (with a tee-shirt underneath or a cardigan) and later during spring and summer. I also used some amazing buttons handmade by Arrow Mountain: these are the moon phase buttons. So cute! I’ve been keeping them for a special project but why wait? They look great on this dress and they’ll make it special!
Now it’s time to go back to my muslins and next patterns instructions if I want them to be ready for Spring…
I have this beautiful burgundy wool that will be perfect for a jacket/skirt ensemble. I’m thinking of a short swing jacket and a pencil skirt with knife pleats at the back. And the light pink lining for a little bit of contrast.
With the same pattern as the short swing jacket, I want to make a swing coat. I will just make it longer (or I hope it will work like that). I have a bright baby blue wool/cotton fabric with a diamond pattern in relief. With a bright green lining, it will be a very nice coat to brighten the winter.
These two combinations are for skirts: A-line skirts with pleats. I need more skirts, I have lots of dresses but very few skirts. So I will add two for the winter: one in wool tweed in green, pink and brown with a bottle green lining and the other one in purple wool with blue/purple lining.
Wow! Jen’s dress is amazing! Read more about it at her blog 
Kirsty’s gorgeous Liberty fabric looks so good. You can see more pictures of it here: 
Alicia did a great job with her Camí, I love the colourful fabric. She blogs at 
Another bold fabric: Claire from 
Elle went for a total vintage look and I love the contrast cuffs, collar and button placket. If you want to read more about her dress, go check her blog 
Maider from 
Smaida’s winter version is very elegant. See more pictures of her dress on her blog 
Lara from 
The lucky winner of the next pauline alice pattern is…………. JEN from Tea for Two!
3.If your zipper is too long, secure the teeth closed by stitching over them at the desired length and cut the zipper at least 3 cm longer (1,2″).
4.Place the zipper face down with the teeth on top of the seam allowances. Match the zipper top to the beginning of the zipper opening. Pin or baste in place. Make sure the zipper is well centered.
2.Fold the pocket over and press the seam allowances toward the pocket.
1.On the right side, match the seams of the two skirt pieces together all around the pockets, with right sides together and pin.
3. If you insert a regular zipper on the left side (that’s what I will do), match the seams, pin and start stitching from the zipper mark to the hem.
1.On the skirt waist seam, baste 3 lines of stitches at 1,5 cm, 1 cm and 0,5 cm from the egde (5/8″, 3/8″ and 1/4″).
3.Match the skirt side openings, front and back center, side seam to the corresponding bodice marks, with right sides together and pin. Gather the skirt between the marks until it fits the bodice.
1.Mark the buttonholes on the right side and the buttons on the left side. Mark the buttonhole and button on the under collar as well.
2.Stitch the buttonholes on the right side. Sew the buttons on the left side.
2. Match the seam allowances at the neckline.
5. As my back bodice pattern is cut on the fold, I am going to draw a full collar on the back. The peter pan collar pattern will be cut on the fold as well. Decide how long you want it to be and add 3 cm or 4/5″ (1,5 cm or 5/8″ seams at the top and bottom). Start tracing the total length all around the neckline.
6. Once you arrive at the front seam, add a 1,5 cm or 5/8″ seam allowance. Finish the collar with a nice curve.