Featured Seamstress: Elina

Name: Elina

Skill Level: Intermediate

Pattern: Crepe

Her Blog: Mielitty

Her post about the pattern: Kukallinen kesäleninki

What kind of fabric did you use? Printed cotton lawn. I bough the fabric about 7 years ago for 3 euros per metre, and I have just been waiting to find the right pattern for the fabric.

How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? I chose the pattern because I love wrap dresses, and the cut in Crepe is so clever — it even has pockets! I don’t usually wear clothes with big floral patterns, but I thought the dark floral fabric has a nice vintage feel, and I thought it would be a perfect match with the Crepe pattern. My Crepe is the perfect dress for Finnish summer weather, which at times can be quite chilly.

What thoughts do you have about the project? The instructions were really detailed and the dress was easy to sew. The only problem I had, was when the dress was ready the sleeve facings did not stay in place nicely, and I ended up sewing them together with the bodice with backstitches 2 inches from the edge. On the right side of the dress the stitches are practically invisible and facings stay in place. I was really pleased with how well the dress in size 10 fits, even though I’m 6 ft tall. I only did some minor modifications in the shoulders and sleeves and added 2 inches length to the skirt, and 1/2 inches length to the bodice.