No, I wasn't really "wastin' time". I was actually working like a mad woman when I got a text that said "Are you in a spot where you can swing a quick turnaround testing for me? It's kinda secretive too." I didn't even take a minute to think about it. #1 it's from my favorite pattern designer and #2 I love secrets. I'm in! It took about an hour for me to realize I didn't even think to ask what we were testing or how long "quick" was. Who cares, its BG! I'll stay up all night if I have to.
That night I opened my email and gasped when I saw what we were testing. OMG! Pinch me someone. I've been sewing Amy's patterns for years and I love everything she does, but this one takes the cake. I ran upstairs to my sewing room to dig through fabric. I was torn between two different pieces, but finally settled on what I wanted to use. The only problem was that I only had ONE YARD! Note to my fabric hoarding self--- buy at least two of everything from now on. :) I found some eyelet to use in place of the flutter sleeves and somehow I squeezed a size 4 out of that one yard. Where there's a will there's a way, right? :) Thank goodness my girl is short so it was fine that I was a couple of inches shy for the skirt measurement. A row of eyelet trim on the hem finished it off to be a perfect length for her.
Introducing the Bay Dress!
One of the other testers and I discussed how much the front looks like the Lazy Susan, which is another one of my favorites. But that back, oh my!
Have you ever made something that you just loved so much that it made you sick when your child outgrew it? Well here's the good news.....this dress will last a while in your child's wardrobe. When she gets too tall she can wear it as a top over some Darby shorts or even some Sleepy Jeans or Lily Rufflers. This is a fully functioning wrap dress/top so if it gets too tight in the chest all you have to do is move the buttons over to get some extra wear out of it! How great is that??!!
Now to caution you about a mistake I almost made: I have to confess that when I make a new pattern by a designer I've used before, sometimes I don't pay attention to the size chart. I almost didn't on this one but Amy stressed to us that we needed to go with chest measurements on this dress so I did. I would have normally made the size 5 but I did the 4 instead. Due to the cut of this bodice and the V in the back, you are going to want to size down when in doubt. If you make it too big, the shoulders will slide off.
This pattern, like all BG, is very well written and easy to follow. You can make this your own with fun buttons, trims, piping, lace, etc. The pattern includes options for a straight skirt, which I did, or a curved back skirt. It also includes top and dress lengths, along with an empire and drop waist option.
One more of that lovely back....
And now for the good news! You can be sewing your very own Bay Dress/Top THIS SATURDAY!!! The best part? IT'S ON SALE! Yay! Here is the scoop on when and how you can get your Bay dress, along with some other great patterns, for a killer deal. You don't want to miss it!
Now go pick out your fabric while that fun tune is humming in your head. I'll be singing it all day now. :)
