FINISHED! A stripey spring skippy dress

When I first started out sewing, one of the first patterns I ever bought was the Little Explorer pattern by Make it Perfect, to make little pants for Elliot. I loved this pattern and made it up a number of times both for him and for others.
It was with excitement then that I got an email from Toni Coward from Make it Perfect, asking if I'd like to be a part of a blog tour for her latest pattern, the Skippy.  The Skippy also has a little girl variation, the Joey, which Renae made a super cute version during testing.
It has been great to reconnect with this Australian pattern company and discover and rediscover the many patterns that Toni has released. If you don't already know about this company, you will find a plethora of patterns there for the whole family!  Anyway, I couldn't say no to the Skippy.. let's face it... it is a drop waist! And the gathered sleeves add such a cute touch.

The PDF was a cinch to put together and I really liked that pages were only joined for a particular piece of the pattern. I am the biggest fan there is of the instant gratification of the PDF, but it can be a little bit annoying taping a lot of pieces together and ending up on the floor because the result doesn't fit on any table. The instructions are thorough and were easy to follow.

I set off to find the perfect fabric but struggled as I didn't want it to be plain (no surprise) and I couldn't decide whether I wanted to make a spring version or a winter version. I do love the winter version with the twisted cowl neck. In the end this stripey ponte won out and a spring skippy it is.

The fabric choice however caused it's own problems, as a heavy ponte from spotlight (this is my favourite stripe ever but it is so hard to find it anywhere in a deep blue,so when I saw it at spotlight I had to pick it up) it has very little stretch, almost none. It is a heeaavy ponte.  I love the result on the fit and the way it hangs, but obviously such a fabric isn't great for attaching a neckband, unless you use a different fabric. 
I did the neckline an embarassing amount of times. First with the neck band, but it didn't sit flat and was never going to with so little stretch so I unpicked it and opted for the turn down approach, with some clear elastic and the twin needle. As the hours progressed I got fussier and fussier and unpicked and resewed and unpicked and resewed. With relief I can say I'm happy with it now. And I'm surprised at how much I like this scoop neck on me. Quite a different style.
The gathered sleeves went in well. I've always covetted the sleeves on this dress of Tilly's and I think next time I might make them a bit like that - especially with such a heavy knit. 

I took about 2 inches off the length of the bodice to account for my short stature, and I took a substantial amount, about 15cms off the hem.  I left the arms long and didn't cuff them but just turned them under and twin stitched. Same with the hem which I twin stitched after overlocking.
Now that it's made up this dress ticks all the spring dress boxes.  Thick enough to add a bit of warmth,  but an opportunity to get the legs out for the first time in months. I love the slightly loser fit in the top and the kangaroo pouch which could hide any lunchtime sins. This skippy I know, is going to be a workhorse during spring!

41 comments:

  1. Oooh, that's very cute.

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  2. Soooo cute: love the stripes.

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  3. Short sleeved would be great to play tennis in, too! I love this pattern - pockets AND a drop waist!

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  4. I LOVE this on you! The scoop neck and the straight shape are a great combo. I think the thick fabric was a great choice, too, even if it was a struggle - it lies very nicely.

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  5. I do love a kangaroo pouch! Looking good - and when I first got back into sewing, Toni's book was my first purchase - I've made so many of her boys shorts ;)

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  6. I love this! It's perfect, I'm going to look into this company right now!

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  7. That's so fresh and lovely, perfect for Spring. Makes me suddenly need more stripes in my wardrobe. Great style for you.

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  8. That's a really fresh look. I love it. I too have been coveting Tilly's amazing sleeves!

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  9. Adorable! Off to check out the pattern!

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  10. I really like the scoop neck on you and the dress looks perfect, makes me think of secret pyjamas! And best of all you gotta love a feature that hides a food baby ;)

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  11. Perfect spring weather dress, love the stripes!

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  12. Hands down, that's the best version of the pattern that I've seen yet. I know the fabric was a nightmare but the finished result... well, it's just awesome.

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  13. cute dress! You do pick winners to sew :)

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  14. This is the most beautiful stripy dress out there! On some photos the dress looks like separates. I quite like this effect of duality :) It was super brave of you to unpick the neck band many times. If it were me, I would rip the dress off into tiny pieces from anger :)

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  15. Every make is so effortlessly stylish, its so fantastic how you top each and every make. Beautiful!

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  16. Cute dress, cute pattern name. The stripes look so lovely and fresh for spring. I haven't heard of this pattern company, so thanks for the review.

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  17. No worries Barbara - this make coincided with the lovely weather in Canberra - first legs out for the season!

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  18. I learnt it when I was making the coco. I thought of you when I was having trouble with the neck. Basically I sew around the top (1cm) as a guide to where to turn over and then turn it over and twin stitch. If it needs elastic then I sew the elastic on first - similar probably to what you just did with your skirt and then fold over and twin stitch. et voila!

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  19. Oh Inna, you are good for my ego! Re the neck- problem was I was already thinking how much I love the dress and had emailed Toni to tell her I would be ready to post. Famous last words:)

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  20. Thanks Erin. Not always, but I think this is a keeper.

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  21. Thanks Sharon. Hard to go wrong with stripes!

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  22. Aaah, the hidden food baby in secret pj's. Yes to all that! I think I like the scoop a bit more at the moment because my hair is a bit longer - I'd better keep it that way :)

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  23. Thanks so much. Next time I really want to make those sleeves - especially with such a thick knit.

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  24. Thanks Debbie. Felt so great to have this new make and for the sun to come out! Oh I really don't need more stripes in my wardrobe, but that isn't going to stop me!

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  25. I was so close to not putting the pocket on but I'm so glad I did.. I feel like it's a winner - oh and I always need somewhere to put that tissue :)

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  26. Thanks Morgan. I agree re the fabric. A thinner fabric can cling a bit too much for my liking :)

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  27. You know I'm always in the market for more tennis outfits - it's practically the only reason I took up the sport!!! And yes, this one ticks all the boxes.

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  28. Thanks so much. I was so happy when I found this stripey fabric.

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  29. I love this. I have a very similar idea for my striped ponte - wide top with welt pockets and a pencil skirt.

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  30. Great dress kirsty! I really love the pocket, perfect for spring!!

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  31. This is soooo lovely! What a neat twist on a breton dress. You look fab as always. You can't tell in the slightest that you re-did the neckline at all xxx

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  32. Thanks Margo - yes it's great to have an early spring dress like this!

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  33. Thanks Zoe! I think it worked well, but it's hard to go wrong with a breton stripe! xx

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  34. I can't wait to see. The welt pockets will add a lovely neat touch!

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