I don't often test patterns, but this pretty dress by Scroop Patterns caught my eye and so I offered to be a tester for it. The Robin Dress is a princess seam button front dress, with different cup sizes for a bust ranging from a 30" - 59". I made mine from a rayon twill from my stash. The pattern is now available from Scroop Patterns here, and it is 25% off for the whole launch week. I'm so happy to finally share my version.
Scroop Patterns is a company based in New Zealand, and so it was with delight that I realized I had enough New Zealand paua shell buttons to feature on this dress -- they've come from my sisters' trips to NZ, I always ask for buttons or fabric as gifts :) I think they match this lovely fabric well.
The pattern is well made; aside from my normal shortening, I didn't have to make many adjustments to it. I took half and inch out above the waist and an inch below. It's drafted for 5'7" so obviously this 5'2" person needed to take some length out.
It's a relaxed fit; the back skims the body nicely, just to my preference! I suppose you could add ties to the side seams at the waist if you wanted to pull it in a little, but I like it falling loose like the pattern is designed.
I made the short view, View B. In View A, the length is more midi and there are side seam pockets. In this view it is knee length and has really cool patch pockets that are sewn in between the side seam and the princess seam. I love them! You can sort of see them in this picture.
The only real adjustment I had to make was in the sleeve. In my muslin, I found the straight sleeve too tight around my bicep. I tried the flutter sleeve option as well, but found it overwhelmed me. So I used the full bicep adjustment from my old classic Singer fitting series book, and added one inch to the bicep. It worked perfectly and I love the way it looks in the final version.
This is going to be a fabulous summer dress; light, fitted, comfortable, great pockets -- what more can I ask? Just that we can actually get out this summer, hopefully to somewhere further than the back yard. I hope you are all doing well and staying occupied and hopeful. Sewing is helping me to maintain some routine, creativity and joy, and I hope it is for you too. This springy Robin Dress is a mood lifter!
Check it out on Scroop Patterns and take advantage of the 25% launch discount for this fun 90s style dress.
