Violette Field Threads “Spencer” and Tunic Bible

Mommy and Me Match

This post has a couple of “firsts” in it. This is my first time sewing for myself and my first time sewing a Violette Field Threads Patterns. I must say, both were really fun!

First, let’s talk about Maria’s dress. It is a Violette Field Threads’ pattern. You can find it here. It comes in size 2T-10 (Yay! big girl sizes!) and is insanely modular. You can add a 3/4 sleeve and remove the bottom ruffle so the design possibilities are bountiful. They do a great job of providing tons of model garments in the various configurations which is super helpful if you have a hard time visualizing the way dresses will look.

Another pro of this particular pattern is that the instructions include a ton of pictures of someone actually sewing the garment-I’ve never followed a pattern with directions with so many images. It was really nice to see someone completing the steps. If you are a visual learner, these instructions are totally for you. This pattern comes as a PDF. I finally caved and bought a printer so it was fun to be able to have instant buyers gratification…I pushed buy and then immediately got busy!

I will alter the button back next time I make it. I love the way it looks but I do not love making that many button holes. Next time, I’ll just put in a placket about six inches down the back skirt portion and cut out identical front and back pieces.

I can picture Maria frolicking in all sorts of places in this dress. It makes her immediately start swishing it back and forth. If we’re ever allowed to go to the beach again, it would be so fun for beach nights.

Moving on to my next first. I sewed for myself! Can you even believe that? I’ve always been so afraid to try because it typically requires a ton of fabric. It seems like such an investment in fabric that you could possibly completely mess up and hate. Fortunately, Farmhouse Fabrics came through with this Fabric Finders seersucker in their tent sale. Guys, I got this fabric for $6.50 a yard. If there was ever a time to try to sew for myself, this was it.

About a year ago, I purchased the Tunic Bible. I love basically everything in it so it was quite hard to resist. The book comes with one basic pattern and tons of options for sleeves, plackets, and necklines. I love to modify/design my own garments by changing different parts of it. Half the fun of sewing is changing things up to get a look you love. This book encourages that! To use an analogy, this book give you legos and lets you build your own house. I love it.

I used the basic tunic pattern included and cut it at the waistline to create a bodice. I have a baby bump, so I knew a shift skirt was not going to work. I had to have a gathered skirt so that I could get some use out of it. Fortunately, I know how to do a gathered skirt with my eyes closed because of all of Maria’s dresses so that wasn’t difficult.

The main difference in sewing for an adult is that you have to add darts to help the fabric fit around curves. They’re basically just pointed pleats and not at all as scary as I thought they would be. You also have to do trial runs, called “muslins.” I really wasn’t looking forward to wasting fabric on a muslin but I am so glad I did it. I only created a muslin of the bodice part, because it was the only part that really needed to be fitted. I adjusted the widths and location of the darts in my muslin until I liked the way the bodice fit. Once I figured that out, I applied the same changes to the pattern pieces and then cut out and made the real bodice.

I then created the tiered skirt. My measurements/pattern pieces for each tier were as follows: 1st tier: 2 pieces (front and back) 30in wide x 23 in tall). This would need to be adjusted for your size and height but should give you a good place to start. 2nd tier: 2 pieces (front and back) 58 in wide x 24 in tall). My general rule of thumb for gathered fabric is that I like the piece being gathered to be about 1.5-2 times as wide as the piece to which it is gathered. I applied that rule to the tiers to come up with the widths I used.

I originally included a three inch hem on this dress. However, I altered that to a one inch hem to allow for more “swishy-ness” and less weight at the bottom of the dress. This was a bit different for me as I always add at least a three inch hem to Maria’s garments.

This was such a fun set of dresses to make. I LOVED tackling each of these firsts-if you haven’t sewn for yourself or tried a new pattern line lately, you ought to give it a shot. It was extremely satisfying and challenging. Have you tackled something new during this quarantine? Taken on a new challenge or just gone out of your comfort zone? I’d love to hear about it and get new ideas 🙂