A YALETOWN FOR SPRING

The first dress of spring is here (and the first off my Spring Wardrobe Plan)!! It's the Yaletown dress pattern by Sewaholic!

Pattern: Sewaholic Yaletown
Size: 12 (bust) / 8 (waist and hip)
Alterations: shortened bodice by 2"
Fabric: Rayon challis from Michael Levine Loft

This past weekend, Jeremy and I took these photos in a really lovely area of Marina Del Rey - there are these housing developments where groups of houses all face the same park-like area (they call them "malls" haha). The flowers in and around the area were in full bloom, and spring has definitely sprung in LA (even though it wasn't ever quite what most of you would consider winter)! I think the scenery really elevated the look of this dress (which I made really to be a casual spring/summer dress or even a swim suit coverup) - and we'll definitely be heading back here for pictures!

The Yaletown dress is a pattern I've made once before - and I took it with me on my Handmade Honeymoon (also here). Sewaholic sizes their patterns for pear shapes, of which I am not, and I wasn't entirely pleased with my first go around. My measurements match about a 14 (bust) / 12 (waist) / 8 (hip) in Sewaholic sizing. The first time I made this dress, I went with the sizing that I fit into on the size chart, but the result was a dress that was basically too big all over. I then made some sizing adjustments for this version!

I ended up taking the bust size down to a 12,  and graded to an 8 at the waist, with a size 8 hip. I also wanted to remove some of the blousing from the pattern, so I removed 2" at the lengthen/shorten line. I did make a mistake here, however, because I didn't leave the crossover part (the wrap) as long as it should've been for a size 8, and it resulted in a crossover that was more of a size 2. For the next version, I'll add about an inch or so to the overall length of the crossover because it's pulling at the waist/side seam. I think this is also effecting the elastic waist, as it seems to pull a bit to the middle.


I also omitted the sleeves and the self fabric belt. I had intended on this being sleeveless, but I really wanted to make the belt - and I ran out of fabric (this happened to me on my last version too)! I think it looks fine without, but the belt would've been cute. I also was so short on fabric that I didn't have room to cut the back skirt on the fold (and had to cut two pieces), so I serged it together at the back center seam.


Speaking of fabric (and the lack of enough yardage), I picked this rayon challis up at the Michael Levine Loft. This place is totally hit or miss - sometimes I get 18 pounds of amazing fabric, and sometimes I leave empty handed. But sometimes I do find the exact fabric I was hoping for, like this rayon!

Overall, I really love this dress - and I think it can go from casual to fancy - depending on the fabric and where you wear it! It's the perfect start to my spring dress collection!

What's on your must-sew list for spring (or winter for you Southern Hemisphere folks)?