when andrea from the train to crazy contacted me to be a part of the blog tour introducing her new online pattern store, go to patterns, i was so excited! andrea was in season 3 of project run & play with me, and i was bummed to see her go during vintage/retro week. her downton abbey dresses were so beautiful, and i have a torrid love affair with downtown abbey. also, my sister’s name is andrea, so i like her for that too. 🙂
anyway, when she sent me the signature dress for review, it blew my mind!
there are TONS of options in this pattern (three lengths, seven sleeve styles, four pocket types, hood, and appliqué templates, ranging from 12 months to 12 years!). i think another reviewer called this the choose your own adventure of patterns, and it’s true! if you’re the type that likes to follow a pattern and not have to think about switching things up, this is a fantastic pattern for you. and if you’ve never sewn with knits before, andrea includes plenty of great instructions to guide you through.
i used my normal machine with a walking foot for most of the sewing and finished things off with my serger, except for the neckline which i only serged (for stretch) and topstitched the back neckline.
and if you’re the type that DOES like to mix it up, the signature dress provides a basic shape that you can easily customize. i’d recommend printing out the pattern layout and figuring out which pages to print; once you have the pages you need, it’s really quick to piece together.
Em loves her dresses, so i was happy to add another comfy one to her wardrobe.
i made a 3T and originally cut the maxi length, but when i tried to do the neckband in the same apple knit (which is a light t-shirt knit from mill end), the apple didn’t stretch far enough and i had to recut. i should have known it wouldn’t work. so after recutting, it ended up more “tea length” with plenty of growing room. the final neckline is a deep teal interlock with LOTS of stretch. i like this combo better!
i did two lines of shirring (hey hey look at me, i can shirr now!) starting an inch under the armpit, and i left the hem raw to continue the casual summer vibe. honestly i was really worried it might look like a nightgown with the small apple print, but on her it doesn’t at all! phew.
they like holding hands now. O even says “hode hans” and reaches for her. come on. melt my heart.
get your signature dress pattern and browse the rest of the patterns in the go to patterns shop! and if you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out all of the awesome versions of this dress on the tour…
Andrea was kind enough to gift me the signature dress pattern for this review, and i am an affiliate of go to patterns. my opinions are my own.
skirt as top 
Love the apple print and the length. 🙂
Darling!
Love the print, love the dress… Love the top knot.
oh, this is really cute! The apple print is sweet as a little summer dress. I love the ballet pose in the first picture ^_^
Haha, that’s just her normal “standing still” pose. She’s a ballerina through and through. 🙂
oh it’s so so adorable, love those apples and the teal neckline really makes it. awe, the holding hands, that is so freaking cute.
I think I might have to get this pattern ~ with all those options the possibilities are endless…
and it even looks like it has some twirl factor . . . a must for every little girl:) What a fabulous pattern – love your version!
Such a cute dress! And it looks so comfy…perfect for running around in the summer! I can’t wait to go check out the patterns!
(ps. Hode hans? Oh my gosh, that’s adorable!)
kinda wish i were wearing that dress right now – it looks so comfy! the raw edges look great. love her poses, too…so cute!
I love EVERYTHING about this dress, including the model! 🙂 Once again, beautiful work!
Love the apple print and contrast color neckband – and it doesn’t look like a nightgown at all! Very cute! Eager to try out this pattern my self for my little girl.
The dress is darling, as are your little ones. I don’t know if it’s just because Em is so petite and dainty, but the dress looks like the perfect blend between soft and comfortable/breezy and beautiful. Love the fabric choices!
Aw what a sweet comment, thanks Stef! 🙂
that little model is the cutest thing, she looks great in that dress – she looks great in everything you make for her
That’s so nice, thanks so much!!
Love your version, particularly the length and the teal interlock!!! I love the fact that it is some times the little unexpected hiccups along the way that make something turn out really special!!
Oooh, love the apple knit and her cute bun! And “hode hans”!??!?!? I’m dying . . .
Awesome…………..!!! What a pretty dress,who wouldn’t love to stitch for their own daughter.
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