Love Dress by Sewera Fashion by a Tester

Love Dress Pattern Description

The Love Dress is a slim fitting women’s dress pattern sizes 32 – 50 / 2 – 20, with flattering curved bust darts and back waist darts. The front pattern pieces include separate A – C Cup and D+ Cup pattern pieces. The slightly high and wide neckline is finished with a shaped facing. 3 different sleeve lengths to choose from and fully illustrated instructions are included

I was one of the Pattern Testers

Carina, designer/owner of Sewera Fashion was looking for pattern testers for a dress she had designed; the “Love Dress”. I love to challenge myself in order to improve my skills or to get out of my “comfort zone” so I applied to become a tester and was accepted. If you know me, you know I rarely even wear dresses. But this one attracted me, Yipeeeeeee! Here’s the process:

Get your Pattern and Print it

The pattern was provided as a downloadable PDF, to be printed and taped together, or taken to a print shop to be printed on one large sheet of paper. You can choose which size(s) you want to print, 1, 2 or all. I chose to print at home and tape, there’s no trimming, so it doesn’t take long, and I enjoy it. (I like doing jigsaw puzzles, too.)

My Disclaimer

The pattern for this Love Dress was provided to me at no cost, so I could test it. I honestly really like this pattern, consequently I’m writing this post. I would have removed myself from the testing panel rather than continue with a project I didn’t like.

Choose your Fabric

I chose a medium weight knit with about 20% stretch for my first test, and as a result, sadly it was too tight. You need about 40% stretch for comfort. I also upped by 1 size. Those of you who know me well know I like my tops loose and also it’s the same for dresses. I chose to make size 42 for my second test although it’s 2 inches larger than my measurements. This fabric came from my stash, it’s the weight of a light polar fleece with an interesting herring-bone texture, so it’s perfect for this pattern. I used that fabric for a sweater and wrote about it here.

Add Seam Allowance and Check Length

Like quite a few European patterns, seam allowance is NOT included. Don’t let that throw you, as a result, you can add the amount you wish. After printing and taping, I used a Quilt and Sew Ruler to quickly add 3/8″ seam allowance all the way around, cut out the pattern, pinned it to my fabric and used my rotary cutter to finish the job. Easy peasy. I shortened the length to mid-thigh to wear with leggings but the 3/4 sleeves are a perfect length for me.

hint……..to prevent the neck facings from stretching, I have hints;

but first……….many soft synthetic fabrics can’t take “pressing”. However, you can use steam from your iron then use a folded towel (or your fingers) to press the area.

#1 cut the facings out of “Tricot-knit” fusible interfacing before fusing it to the wrong side of your facing fabric. After fusing, you can cut out perfect facings.

#2, trace the facing pattern pieces onto folded paper. Then you can open the pattern out and cut the facings out in a single layer.

Time to Start Sewing your Love Dress

Most important of all, begin by reading the instructions all the way through. There are a few pages, illustrated with many useful photos. The dart was the hardest part for me to sew, but Carina’s instructions are clear and easy to follow. Due to the fact that I’ve lost my “caboose” over the years, I skipped sewing the back darts.

After joining and steaming the short facing seams, match the shoulder seams and sew with the interfaced facing on top, with the dress against the feed teeth. Your neckline won’t stretch because the firmer layer is on top!

After sewing around the neck edge, turn the facing to the inside and steam it lightly. I used cover-stitch to sew the facing down, but a wide twin-needle stitch would look great here, too.

Cover stitch was used to hem the bottom and the sleeves, but, again, a wide twin-needle would look great too.

In conclusion, I LOVE this dress. The name is perfect for it, Love Dress. You can buy it by visiting Carina’s website and be sure to check out her other patterns while you’re there. The colour of the fabric I chose isn’t really “me” but with some “bling” including lipstick, it works. Black leggings and boots, that’s how I wear it.

Sew, what do you think? Go get it, introductory priced!