Pattern Tour: Hanami Dress By Straight Grain

Hey!


Thanks for stopping by to check out the new dress pattern created by Straight Grain.

I was extremely excited when I learned I would pattern test this beauty& there are so many options! 

Mix& Match patterns are awesome because I can make completely different looking dresses without buying more patterns. (You're welcome hubby)

When asked initially "what version will you make?" 

I chose the dress, with peter pan collar, a zipper back, and petal sleeves. 

Here it is!

I loved the bold color of this blue cotton& chose to embroider a few butterflies on to give cohesion between it& the vintage brown floral cotton used for the contrast. 

I will admit this first dress had it's challenges. 

An (the lady behind straight grain) did a really good job walking you through some of the lesser known details ... like proper collar overlap, and how to sew in an invisible zipper ... so take your time and really utilize those photo instructions. 

See my "not so invisible" zipper? 

I was inexperienced with the invisible zipper and like many first time magicians, mine chose not to disappear. 

Overall, it's still a lovely dress, but it just didn't feel finished. Especially not after seeing the improved pattern/instructions & the creations each tester had made with it.

I had to do it...

Hanami #2. 

The second time I decided to use an Echino cotton fabric with a gorgeous print. 

I won this fabric during Alida Makes series "Calling all Kids" and have held onto it for quite some time waiting for the right project. 

Look at that zipper. 

"What zipper?" you may ask yourself....

HUZzAH! I have made it disappear! 

This top went by quick and turned out really nice. 

I left off the collar, used the flutter sleeves, and of course the shorter flounce (bottom portion). 

Lily seemed pleased& ready to put it on the morning after I finished it. 

Aren't the birds in this fabric great? 

They remind me of my grandmother who kept binoculars in her house as I was growing up "to watch the birds." 

I bet that's also why she listened to the police scanner. 

Thanks again to An of Straight Grain for allowing me to test. 

Head over to An's shop where the Hanami is for sale!

THE SHOP

and have a lovely day!