The Sew and Tell Project

Happy Mama Joy release day!

Joy is the newest addition to the Made for Mermaids Dreamy collection, and Mama Joy is the very first Mama version!

Here’s a secret: I haven’t worn ANYTHING knee length in years. When I saw the testing call, I was so excited. Just like that, I had a vision of what I wanted to do with the pattern and what fabric I wanted to do it with, and my knees came out of retirement.

Mama Joy is available as a peplum top, or in three dress lengths; mini, knee, and maxi. There is a hi-low hem option for the peplum and maxi. The skirt is pleated, and there are instructions to make looser pleats or more structured “permanent” pleats. There are two neckline options, 3 sleeve options, a back zipper option, AND optional in-seam pockets. And don’t forget that there’s a girls version, too, for super cute mama and me looks!

My dress is the knee length, 3/4 sleeved option (obviously). I chose to add an exposed back zipper (this is actually a coat zipper and I love the way it looks!), and my pleats are non-structured. The fabrics are a ponte de roma and stretch lace, both from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

And pockets. Pockets are awesome.

My favorite part of this dress, though, is the fun color blocking I did with the black stretch lace. I cut each sleeve in three pieces, with the lace piece cut on the fold (in the center), and then cut a piece of lace from just the top part of the front and back bodice. I top-stitched the seams where the ponte de roma joined the lace for some added stability, and added the neckband as normal. If you like my hack of the pattern, be sure to check out the Made for Mermaids blog for a post highlighting some other fun hacks for this beautiful dress.

This dress can be a very quick sew, and it’s not complicated. Megan added a fantastic way of making the pleats (seriously…I love pleats, and this makes them so much easier!) to the pattern instructions, and if you don’t color block, it will go together very quickly. Even the zipper is a simple installation, whether you do exposed or invisible. Once my Christmas gift sewing frenzy is over, I have fabric set aside for a Mama Joy peplum, or maybe even another dress. It’s super comfortable, too. The Joy patterns will be on sale for a limited time, so be sure to get it while it’s hot!