Sew Caroline’s Out and About Dress – As A Top

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Time for a PDF pattern review! I initially received this pattern for free as a part of this sponsored post I wrote for UpCraft Club (the post talks about their PDF sewing cards – you can buy PDF cards in your local quilting shop, check it out!). It is designed as a dress, but dresses aren’t very practical when I am hiking, sitting, kneeling on a daily basis. I chopped a few inches off the skirt and made it into a top!

I feel really good in this shirt. It hides all the lumps and bumps that my two children left on my stomach, gives me a semblance of a waist, and is easy to wear.

Another inch and I’d be back at tunic length for wearing it with leggings! I like this length with jeans though.

I styled it with my Laurelhurst cardigan and favorite Minnetonka boots*. Perfect for spring!

Pattern: Out and About Dress by Sew Caroline* sewn in an XS. It has a knee length & maxi length, elbow and long sleeves as variation options.

My Measurements at time of making: 36/28.5/36.5

Price & Sizing: XS-XXL (Bust size 30.5-40.5) – $16

Changes I made:

• 2″ off bodice length
• neckline moved up 2″
• 1″ off elbow sleeve length
• sleeve slimmed
• 1″ narrowed on each skirt side (so, fewer gathers)

Fabric I used: Wispy Daybreak Aura, by Leah Duncan for Art Gallery Fabrics*

What I might do if I make it again:
I would reinforce the waist! I reinforced the shoulder seams with clear elastic* but didn’t think about the waist. After a full day of chasing children, it seems to sag a little. I would definitely use a high quality fabric though – this was my first go with Art Gallery’s knit on a garment for myself and it is amazing. Totally worth it.

Overall thoughts on the garment:

I really struggled with bodice fit on this! As you can see from the sizing chart, my bust measurement would’ve put me in a medium, but the armsyce/arm hole was HUGE. My muslin looked ridiculous. I think the shoulder seam is a little narrow, from a fitting standpoint, but it is comfortable, so I’m not sure how I would adjust to keep the shoulder wider but the armhole small.

With that being said, it is comfortable and definitely has been worn since I made it. I will make more!

Overall thoughts on the pattern:

It is pretty straight forward, she uses pictures which I prefer, and with a fabric that has a clearly visible front/back difference. Although with a basic design like this I didn’t need them, it would be a great shape and pattern for beginners. I will say that the price seems a little steep, although I know I have seen sales pop up here and there!

Other versions I found online:

• Radiant Home Studio has made two, I really like this fun print – it looks comfy and pulled together!
• Dixie Diy made my favorite version, adding a flutter sleeve (she has a tutorial for it!)

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