Each month in our pattern review column, sewists share their unique style with a gorgeous garment make!
Selecting a dress sewing pattern can be an uphill task considering the incredible range of sewing patterns now available to sewists. However, picking the Odette pattern felt effortless because of its versatility. I had my eyes on the pattern right from the moment Veronica Tucker, a Melbourne-based pattern designer, announced its release date on her Instagram page.
THE PATTERN
Veronica Tucker’s sewing patterns appeal to my current style and the Odette is no exception. Her sewing patterns are full of details to sharpen the skills of already seasoned sewists or provide new sewists with some much-needed challenge to level up their skills.
GETTING THE PERFECT FIT
I love how my dress fits my body; especially my fuller bust and how it accentuates my curves. The journey to achieving the beautiful fit started off with fitting the bodice to fit my fuller frame. The only adjustment I had to make was a full bust adjustment on the D-G cup size pattern which I cut out. I also reduced the back bodice width which I tend to do on all my handmade garments to fit my body type. The pattern instruction booklet had a dedicated section on how to carry out any common pattern adjustments for the wrap bodice design. The circle skirt didn’t require any adjustments width wise as I cut my corresponding size. However, I am 5'4” which meant that the midi length would have ended up as a maxi dress for me. So I had to shave off roughly 10cm from the skirt length for a decent-enough midi dress.
FABRIC CHOICE
Even though the sewing pattern suggests the use of linen fabric, I selected this toffee shade viscose modal fabric because of how it blends in beautifully with my skin tone. Also, I pictured how the full-circle skirt would flow in the floaty cloth and it did not disappoint. The Atelier Brunette fabric, which I picked up from minerva.com, had a 140cm width and as a result, I had to play a bit of ‘Pattern Jenga’ fitting the pieces on the 4m length of fabric. Fitting the paper pieces on the fabric took a bit of consideration because of the large skirt pieces, sleeves and wrap bodice pieces but luckily, it didn’t have any fussy, bold, or directional prints which meant that I could have the pieces facing in either direction. I would recommend anyone planning to make the Odette dress to prepare for this possibility if their fabric is directional or patterned. Luckily the pattern instruction booklet contains detailed, illustrated fabric-cutting guides for different fabric widths which are helpful.
