Which dress pattern for a not-quite-beginner?

[FolknNorah]

I have done a few bits and pieces now and feel confident enough to make something for me. However at first I would need guidance and step by step instructions. I have looked at the washi dress here and the Clara dress here so far. They both come with instructions the Clara has a video to watch as well and the washi one has a blog with lots of extra hints and tips. What ever I choose, I will need to do a mega full bust adjustment. Has anyone used these patterns, are they any good, would they be suitable for me? Or are there other dresses that I haven't discovered yet that might be more suitable? I looked at more simple shift type dresses (I think that's what they are called) but they run the risk of being a bit shapeless on me I think? Thanks for your help

Look at Colette, Sewaholic and By Hand London patterns. They seem to be very popular with sewing bloggers. I like the look of the Emery dress by Christine Haynes.

I looked at a couple of the Colette dresses, they both seemed like they might over emphasise the norkage, plus they are sleeveless and I burn easily.
There is a dress on sewaholic that was ok, but now I can't remember whether there were any details instructions/help for some one like me. I'll take another look at that one and the By Hand London site as well and report back

Thank you for your ideas.

Look at PDF patterns, most of them have really good instructions and photos. Anything by the Scientific Seamstress in particular is good for that (SisBoom branded)

Sew liberated - the schoolhouse tunic is for beginners and the esme is the 'next one up' - both have great instructions (the esme has a video tutorial on the website - you need the code from the pattern) and there are also various tutorials online.

I'm not a beginner sewer but have done very little dressmaking. I've just finished the schoolhouse tunic and found it very straightforward. I used the instructions that came with the pattern plus a tutorial I found online at dontfeartheripper.blogspot.co.uk and I am really pleased with the resulting top! Just starting on the Esme now and have the washi dress to do next.

Just remembered some more: Deer & Doe and Merchant & Mills.

Thanks for the links. My problem is big norks, so high neck looks bad on me.
I looked at the sew liberated dress, it does look lovely, they mention it is aimed at pear shaped women, does that mean extra fiddling around to get it right as I'm not pear shaped? I'm worried it might be a bit tricky...

I too looked at the school house tunic, but I don't think it would suit me, I'm not sure the Esme would either, but I might be able to sort that a bit wihen I have some more experience by having real buttons instead of fake and opening them. Have you seen the Aida top?

I realise I'm now looking at tops as well as dresses, so much to choose from -imagine when I start choosing fabric?

Oooh, this one is quite nice
Might be a bit tricky for an almost but not quite beginner?

I love the merchant and mills site, but their stuff would look wrong on me I think

Do you have the Tilly and the Buttons book, Love at a First Stitch? There's a pattern called the Lilou Dress that has a lower neckline (and an option for a scalloped neck) and a fullish skirt.

No I haven't, I've just had a look at her website and it looks quite good, would it be possible to add sleeves to it? I'd really rather have sleeves.
At the moment I think the Washi dress and the Deer and Doe dress I linked might be contenders depending on your views on either and how much help/instructions etc there might be with it. Fairly simple to make and easy to wear.

Sorry if I'm being a pain, I'm really excited about this and want to get it right

daisychicken does the Esme top seem like it would be ok for big norks? The front detail worries me. will you be reporting back on the Esme and Washi dress?

Let me know how you get on with the Washi dress. I have biggish norks too. I saw a lovely maxi Washi made with double gauze on the Made by Rae website. The only thing that annoys me about her patterns is her love of elasticated waists.

I'm sure you could add sleeves to the Lilou. There is another dress pattern (Megan) in that book which has sleeves that you could possibly use.

Yes, I saw that too, some really lovely fabric. I've looked on the Flickr thing to see what it might look like on some one not slim and tall and with small norks, and it looks ok.

I'll get the add on (sleeves etc) to go with it too I think.
Excellent, decision made.
Now for fabrics...... I'm thinking plain (possibly a linen type) fabric so I don't have to match up patterns etc?

Right, am on a mission, I will definitely be posting for advice, of course I'll let you know how it goes

If this goes well I might try the jeans and the Esme from Sew Liberated for autumn/winter.

Thank you so much for all of your help

Have just made simplicity 2217 have a look on Pinterest for photos. Pattern comes with different cup sizes. Really worked for me as I'm quite curvy.

I have been reading up a bit more about the Washi dress. Now I'm worried about looking more pregnant than I already do. (I'm not )
I'm not sure the pleats would be great on me. Maybe if I use a smaller size for that bit as I have to do a mega bust adjustment anyway? An a line shape might be better?

I'm not large - but I have big norks (32h) and (at the moment) a big tummy. My waist is only just smaller than my full bust measurement. I genuinely look pregnant.
I was thinking fitted around the bust but not quite going all the way under (?) and skimming downwards might be best?

Thanks paddy, do you find the waist makes your norks look bigger? Is it a fake wrap over top, I can't quite tell? I have bad experiences with wrap tops . I can't quite pull off waists at the moment though as I don't really have one . I'm working on it though...
It looks quite bulky (maybe that's just the pictures I've found though) and I haven't seen one that I actually like IySWIM? (I'm sure yours is lovely). Have you got any pictures that you think do the pattern justice?

Just lost my long msg.... agh!

Ok, according to the mumsnet bra threads.. I'm a 28FF (I have new bras coming so will confirm ) but I don't think I have big boobs. I did the schoolhouse in a 10 - the top is done in 2 parts - the bits that covers your boobs and the sleeves and then the skirt - the top part fits my boobs well but the skirt I feel is a tad too big.. I could have gone down to an 8 - I am pear shaped with a bit of a belly and I still feel I could go down a size for the skirt bit. Once I've worn the top properly (I need a cami to wear underneath as the "V" is deep and shows my bra off!) I will report back.

I will also report back re the esme and the washi once I've sewn them!

What I've just done is google each dress and looked at the images where you can see many dressmakers wearing their creation. I'd say the schoolhouse will accommodate big boobs better than the esme because of the "V" - it will expand more to accommodate (remember the top is designed for something to be worn underneath) where as if I look at photos of the esme... only small boobed women are wearing it.. Looking at washi dress images, it seems it does cope with boobs as does the deer&doe dress posted (which is now on my list!)!

Maybe it's because tops like the school house tunic have never fitted right or looked right before? If it as actually cut to fit it might be better?

I've been researching more today, thanks to sodding Pinterest
I found this which is free, some blogs about curvy women who aren't like me either, but I can see what a pair of boobs look like in the dresses.
I also revisted the dandelion dress after seeing it on a bosomy body (which I can't now find the picture of)

I'm not sure I've chosen now, I keep seeing more stuff.... I thought I'd really researched but I'm not sure now

If you are looking for fabric The Village Haberdashery is currently offering 20% off EVERYTHING with the code SUMMERSALE. They have lots of lovely lawns, double gauze and chambray. I could easily bankrupt myself buying stuff from there!

Excellent, thank you. I'm terrible with fabric and wool etc. It's a good job I can't go just buying stuff because my house would be packed to the rafters

I found another pattern that's now tempting me the winnifred

Thanks for the heads up on the sale and yes..... it's a bankrupting shop.....!!!!!!!

The Winifred is very "tea dress" like! I like the dandelion dress, it's on my list now!

I agree that's shop bought often doesn't fit right... I end up swopping between sizes to find the right fit which usually looks ok but not perfect... and as soon as Ive sewn a wardrobe of tops, I will be tackling trousers... I hate buying jeans or any other trouser - if the hips fit the waist is gaping but if the waist fits, I can't get it over my hips... I'd like to do a fitting course once I have a bit more experience so that I can learn to adjust the patterns better.

There's a fair bit about fitting patterns on youtube, if you search. Or, you could do what I've done and decide to go whole hog on designing your own patterns :o I'm part way through this course which is surprisingly good for the money ($150 I think).

Or if you prefer a book, the Winifred Aldrich one is excellent - Metric Pattern Cutting for Womenswear.

That course sounds interesting Rue, I'm hoping to have some dressmaking/pattern making courses soon, and I won't lie I'd rather it was over the internet.
Do you recommend it and have you done other classes? I'm looking at Craftsy at the moment.

I've made shorts and trousers for the dc's from old shorts that fitted well but were falling apart out of old clothes. So I'm not too scared about simple trousers etc (elasticated waist though ) I kind of 'get' how to put them together. Eventually I'd make my trousers (jeans) too.

Yes, the dandelion is tempting, although lots of sewers in bogland have been a bit about the weird way of putting it together. I wonder if my lack of experience would be a help?
I know the Winifred is a tea dress shape, but I think that style quite suits me, and with my neck covered will stop me getting my neck burnt? Please tell me if they are a massive fashion faux pas though

I might have found the fabric (I think) I want to use though.... this one? or this one?

There's so much to choose from though.... happily

I chose the plain fabric so I wouldn't need to worry about matching patterns up, is this wise or should I sod it? I don't know how much of a pattern-person I am clothes wise. I see fabric I love, then think, but would I really wear that? Maybe...

I recently tried my first ByHandLondon dress (the flora) It was really quite easy to knock together. Didn't use too much fabric either. I love the bodice although I think I'd use a different skirt style next time. They have a lot of information on their website about modifying it for bust measurements etc. I did some blog posts on it if thats of interest?

Ooh thank you, I'll have a read at lunch

I'd definitely recommend the course, I'm about 1/3 of the way through it and have learnt loads. When you sign up you get access to a group on Facebook where the lady who produces it helps when you get stuck which is very handy. I'm fitting it in at nap times so it's taking ages but I'm enjoying it. She keeps adding extra bits to it as well - only downside is needing the Adobe products, but I'm using a trial version for now.

That dress is lovely on you lynniep but I think too high at the neck for me. Thanks for posting your link, it's always good to see what patterns look like on people with boobs etc isn't it?