Lace shift dress

I’m not good in making pattern for tops, I had no idea how much ease are needed. I self-drafted a couple of tops before and it was a disaster - I can’t move my arms freely, the back is too tight, etc. It just so much different than drafting dress pattern.
I’m always on the look out for free patterns, especially for tops. That’s when I found this free pattern from peppermint magazine - ruffle sleeve top.

I had trouble following instructions (all the times!) and especially with new brand that I’m unfamiliar with. That’s why I prefer to make a toile first. I run into a problem as soon as I started this project - it ends up too big & I’d ruined a beautiful mustard thrifted dress. 

I finally figured out that I need to follow the sizing - based on the final measurements of the tops. This time I made it in sheer maroon curtain fabric (it was perfect!) I had to omit the ruffles, due to limited fabric - I only bought a metre & a half.



The last time I sew with lace, I really had trouble sewing with it, but my skills are better now, I think I’m ready to tackle it again.

Then I figured out that I can make a shift dress out of this pattern by just lengthening the pattern to knee-length dress. I did shop through my stash - I found off white lace & pink crepe fabric, which amazingly looked quite good together.

The lace itself have a nice scallop design that I carefully cut around it. I really love the ruffle details on the sleeve. It adds a lot of fun movements to the dress.



I came up with few stylings with 2 different sizes of waist-ties, which was a happy accidents that resulted from the fact that I forgot to fold the fabric in half before I cut it, but I end up liking the narrow one better.

It’s a great dress for bridesmaids. Don’t you think?


Sewing Summary :

Pattern: Peppermint magazine (FREE pattern) ruffle sleeve top.
Fabric: Off white lace fabric & pink crepe fabric.
Notions: Threads only. No zipper needed.
Alterations: Nothing.
Difficulty: Easy, the instruction is easy to follow. I sew and serge the lace fabric, I didn't use french seam.
Make another one: Yes.
Notes: I made toile before cutting the real fabric.