guys. when i saw the saltspring dress pattern announcement from sewaholic i was on the edge of my seat waiting for it to be available. to me, this is a perfect dress: it’s comfortable, it’s simple, it’s chic, it’s versatile, it’s cross-seasonal, it’s a no-brainer! i snapped up the pattern immediately and began searching for the perfect fabric. eventually i landed upon hawthorne threads website and BAM! perfect fabric. i don’t usually buy the cute designer prints due to my limited budget, but i just loved the floral and polka dot, the large scale print, fall-transitional colors… it was meant to be. so i splurged (you may laugh, but anything over $8/yd is a splurge for me) and dang do they deliver fast! that was my first order from hawthorne threads, and it was on my doorstep within two days. love that!
i decided to eliminate the zip and reduce the blousing. if you haven’t read up on this pattern, the bodice lining is shorter than the overblouse to allow the blousing to stay put; yay for a fidget-free belted dress! i felt the blousing was slightly more extreme than i wanted, so i reduced it by 3/4″ at the lengthen/shorten line (the pattern includes about 2″ of blousing). for me, the reduced amount is perfect.
i really wanted to do a maxi length, but i just couldn’t bring myself to buy the extra yard of fabric needed. in the end, i think this is a good length for this print. any longer and the pattern repeat might start to look too… repeat-y if ya know what i mean. i did add 1″ in length to the skirt pieces. then i decided to use my rolled hem foot because it was still going to be shorter than i wanted. so, if don’t want a short dress, check the hem length (i’m 5′ 8″ and have a crazy long waist to knee measurement). basically i added over 1 1/2″ to the skirt length.
and can i just say that tasia is a pattern drafting genius? no gape at the neckline, folks. NO GAPE. how??? i can actually lean over without flashing the world. baffling! i would totally use the lining piece with adjustments to make a simple cami in the future. i mean really… how did she do that?
final verdict: i soooo love this dress!!! basically this is my favoritest dress eeevvveeerrrrr. if you don’t dig the tie straps you could easily make adjustable straps with the little bra slider thingies. i do recommend leaving the zip out unless you are very busty (obvs not a problem with me…) it’s totally unnecessary. it does make things a little fiddly to sew up, but really this is one of the fastest dresses i’ve ever made. aside from the hem (i let it hang for a day incase the bias grew—it didn’t), i only spent a few hours on the sewing part. and for the record, i don’t sew very fast!
no doubt this will be a repeat pattern for me (hey, gotta justify spending top dollar for a pattern, amiright?). i would really love it in a solid color, great for layering, and on and on… okay i’ve run out of stuff to say… go buy this pattern it’s awesome!
—lisa g.
notes from a mad housewife 
Oooh, it looks GREAT on you! The fabric drapes perfectly, and it looks comfy and flattering. That’s a win!
thanks so much! it is extremely comfortable, will definitely get a lot of wear!
It’s just as beautiful as I thought it would be! Such a great fabric choice! You did the right thing in splurging on this pattern and fabric! You def need a maxi version too.
thanks! it was a gamble making it in my good fabric straight away, but fortunately it paid off!
LOVE! I like your reduced blousiness. I think I’m definitely going to reduce the blousing when I sew this up; the original just seems to puffy for my small frame.
thank you! reducing the blousing was super easy to do, and would probably be a good idea for a smaller-framed person. have fun sewing it up!
This looks awesome! Also, the fabric choice is perfect. You’re so right about the colours being great for transition into fall.
thank you!
So cute and great fabric. However, what really impressed me? That perfect color matched belt! Now, how did you do that?
happy coincidence! bought that belt months ago, couldn’t believe it matched so well!
Ooooh I love this fabric! Might have to order some for myself 🙂 🙂 🙂 Such a perfect pairing with your dress!
do it! i can’t believe i haven’t seen anyone else use this fabric… i just adore it!
This I a great saltspring! I wasn’t sure about it from tasias samples, and now I know why: it blouses too much! Yours has a great amount of blousiness though, and I love that it is such a simple adjustment. Nice pick on the fabric, too!
thanks! the blousing is definitely an easy adjustment.
So so so so so so pretty!! I love it, and the fabric is perfect 🙂 I was thinking of reducing the blousing, I am so glad to see it here and confirm that it looks great! And glad to hear also that I can safely leave out the zipper! It looks amazing on you, I hope you will make a maxi version too 🙂
thanks! i think the amount of blousing you want really depends on the fabric. and as clever as the zip insertion is, i’d rather not bother!
It’s a great splurge! It’s such a lovely easy dress. I’m waiting for my pattern to arrive – and I found the perfect fabric at a charity shop!
thanks! i’m sure you’ll love this pattern, it’s just your style!
Oh definitely! Pattern is not in today’s mail *sigh* I’ll have to wait until next week. Alas!
Love the print you used! I just have to hem mine and do the zipper. For my next I’ll definitely reduce the blousing as well. There WILL be a next one, I know I’m going to wear the heck out of this one!
it’s such a versatile dress, can’t wait to make more myself!
Lovely! I’ve had some firewall issues at home so happy I can comment again! Great summer makes.
thanks so much! trying to get those last summer items done before the temps start dropping!
Fantastic dress and I love it in that fabric! I ordered my Saltspring the day it was released too and right now it’s sitting in my cutting queue waiting for its turn.
thanks! i’m sure you’ll love it also!
This looks great. At some point I will need to get this pattern too, but I need to practice a little discipline and make some of the other Indie patterns I have waiting. The fabric you choose is pretty… and the blousing- how clever! I really like the method she used that keeps the blousing intact! ~Laurie
i hear ya! i don’t always jump on the new pattern bandwagon right off the bat. this one was calling me!
Yours is the best version I’ve seen! I’m not super sold on this pattern – blousing at the waist is not the most flattering on me – but as usual your version has me leaning more towards it… curse you! 😉
haha! happy to be a bad influence! if you don’t like blousing you could skip it altogether and just cut two of the lining pieces. it’s a great pattern!
Oh, your dress looks absolutely lovely on you! so elegant 🙂 The print is just gorgeous and goes really nicely with your sandals.
thanks! those sandals don’t get much wear… 4″ heels and they always feel so unstable. oh well, good for pics at least!
So pretty!! The style of this pattern so totally suits you, I’m not half surprised you were on the edge of your seat waiting for it! And I’m loving the fabric. I think I actually prefer it knee-length, too 🙂 I’ve read people talking about the way the pattern is drafted with the under camisole, but would you believe I’ve only just ‘got’ it? Sounds pretty genius. And omg – I’m in love with your mini hems! So pretty!
thanks! i’ve been wanting a dress exactly like this and couldn’t believe it when i saw the pattern–designed just for me! 😉 i read about the under camisole lining technique in one of the couture sewing books ages ago and it always stuck with me as pure genius; such a great technique!
Gorgeous dress! and i was eyeing that same fabric recently!!!
thanks! it’s seriously beautiful stuff!
It looks fantastic! Your fabric choice is right on. I love it!
thanks! definitely my new favorite!
It looks great on you – esp. that pattern with those shoes! Once again, this is not a pattern I really “get” (though I know it’s been incredibly popular) but you’ve managed to construct a version that makes me really like it.
thanks! i do love those shoes, unfortunately they make me tower over my husband so they are seldom worn… i’ve always been drawn to simple, uncomplicated designs which makes this right up my alley.
It looks fabulous! I like the lessened blousing effect much better. Pretty fabric!
thank you much!
This is so gorgeous! I love love LOVE it! I’m new to your blog, and I just have to say that I love it so much! Keep up the great work!
thanks for stopping by! 🙂
wow, you’ve totally made me want to get this pattern now. love the print, it’s so fun! and i liked that you reduced the blousing, I kind of like the less full look. great notes, I’ll have to remember this for later.