Sewing Circle: That She & Him dress you love...

Sewing Circle: That She & Him dress you love...

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• 12.16.2011

Welcome again to Sewing Circle!  You all are gonna love today's question... from Danika, who wrote:

Q: I've been following you blog for awhile and I love the things that you post!  I have a question about making an adjustment to a sewing pattern.  My friend is getting married in January, so I want to make a dress to wear to his wedding.  I love this dress that Zooey Deschanel is wearing in this She & Him pic (actually, I love pretty much everything that she wears). 

Here's my question: I have a copy of Elaine May's Coffee Date Dress pattern that I've used many times and have made adjustments to fit my body.  

Do you think it would be feasible to raise the neckline and add the sleeves to this pattern without screwing up the fit?  I'm not trying to replicate the cutout bits (although that would be cute, but seems too complicated at this point), just the general shape.  And for this type of sleeve, would that just be an extension of the 'armhole'?  I've never had much luck with sewing sleeves, so I'm kind of wary about it. 

A: Hi Danika! That is SUCH a cute dress. I think that the Coffee Date Dress pattern will work pretty well for the bodice, actually, but you’ll need to experiment a little with the lines for the shoulders!

I’d say cut them out both longer and taller than you expect you’ll need, then baste or pin the front and back together and try it on. You may want to cut it down but that’s much easier than not having enough sleeve!

 I would recommend using a much fuller-skirted pattern for the skirt… the Coffee Date Dress is more of an A-line than a circle skirt like Zooey’s. And instead of the cutouts, why not just get some geometric braid from the fabric store and sew it on in scoop shapes? This will be such a cute dress, good luck making it!!

Readers, what do you suggest Danika try for replicating this dress from the Coffee Date Dress pattern?