Savannah Dress ~ Pattern Review

Hi Everyone!  I know it’s been a while since I was actively sharing my makes here.  Just needed some down time to work on some private projects and take a break from video and blogging.  As an artist, it’s important to take time to reflect and regroup as life continues to move forward in these strange times.  Creating is always a part of my life and helps keep me grounded.

In early March, I signed up for the promotion of the Savannah Dress from Sonia Estep Designs.  I knew it would be a great versatile dress to share with my readers and to add to my wardrobe.  Did you know that every week this pdf brand has a “Hello Monday” SALE where they share 50% off on one of their Fabulous patterns??  It’s a great way to check them out if you have not already done so!!

This was another super quick make.  From cutting to hem, it only took me a couple of hours to create this great dress.  I chose to make the short even hem, scoop neckline with 3/4 length sleeves.  There are other variations such as hi-lo hemline, cowl neckline and short and long sleeves.  I chose this Gorgeous brush poly/span “Every Color” print.  YES, this print was definitely out of my “blues” comfort zone, but I went for it anyway.  It has 4 way stretch so it’s so comfortable and has lots of movement.  The fit was perfect on me and I made a straight size 12 which is my usual size in this brand.  The pattern only has a few pieces.  Dress front & back, sleeve and neckband.  The best part of this dress is that it’s fitted through the shoulders and bust and then releases softly around the waist and hips with just the right amount of “swing”.  

I used both my 4 thread serger and conventional sewing machine to sew this dress.  Below are some photos of the details and my tips.

Photo 1:  Since the open neckline didn’t need to stretch to go over my head, I stabilized it with fusible tricot before adding the neckband.  That kept the opening from stretching out and not laying flat and smooth.  That’s a telltale sign of being “homemade”.  After, I gave the whole neckline a nice 1/8″ topstitch which gives it a very professional finish.  Both adding stabilizer and topstitching are extra steps, but well worth the time and effort.

Photo 2 & 3:  I used the same fusible stabilizer to give support to the sleeve and lower hems.  The center photo is the finished sleeve which was hemmed flat and then the side seam sewn.  Sometimes I opt for a coverstitch on the sleeve, but since the sleeve wasn’t tight I could use my single needle to sew a nice clean topstitched hem.  I went back after sewing the side seam and anchored the seam with a double zig zag tack stitch.  The last photo is of the inside and outside of the hemline which is also stabilized, turned and topstitched.  I love the clean simple finish and it’s so quick to sew.