The Sew and Tell Project

Good morning, sewing friends!

What are you working on in your corner of the world? My sewing time has been rather limited lately but I carved out some precious summer time to test the new Jane Dress and Romper pattern from Simple Life Pattern Co. Jane is one of the newest SLPco releases so make sure you check it out!

Gemia is the newest designer at Simple Life Pattern Co. and I am so impressed with her design, her drafting, and her response to tester feedback on this pattern. Whenever I test the first time for a designer I hold my breath a little until the final fitting. I tend to stick to a few favorite designers since I know how their patterns fit my kids, and Gemia has made that short list with just one pattern!

I did a bit of required muslining for fit, reported the issues with my 2T size, and excitedly sewed up the final pattern using my beloved Art Gallery Denim from Peek-a-Boo Fabric Shop for the bodice and ruffle placket and Art Gallery Lavish Swale Calm from Phat Quarters for the skirt.

Little Miss is only two. I wasn’t expecting her to love this dress the same way she loves, oh say, Minnie Mouse pajamas. But she has brought it to me several times since I finished it and said, “My dwess, my dwess, I want to wear my dwess.” I can’t say that this is her favorite dress ever because I just don’t know. She’s TWO. One day a Strawberry Go-Go Squeezes are her favorite and the next…. But I do know she likes this dress enough to want to wear it frequently.

I can guarantee though that this dress and romper is going on my short list of favorite patterns for wovens. Why is that?

Jane is a Dress and Romper Pattern available in sizes 2T – 12. It is a layered pattern with trimless pages, so it is quick to assemble the pattern at home. It is one of the more advanced patterns SLPco offers, but I think a patient advanced beginner could easily accomplish this by sewing a simpler view without the extra options.

There are sleeveless and an adorable cap sleeve options. There are also two bodice options: a pieced bodice with gathers, or a smooth flat front bodice (which I tested). You can do the ruffled button placket like I did, or make it a simple button placket. The elastic waistband is comfortable and fully enclosed, and has options for faux tie, belt loops, and/or a sash. I left off all of these options since I wanted easy dressing for my 2 year old, but they look great on the other testers’ versions! One tester even commented in our testing group that this was the prettiest thing from the inside that she has ever sewn. The inner finishes are as beautiful as the outside of the dress and romper.

The romper version (which I did not test) has pockets and fun oversized cuffs. The dress has a slightly shorter vintage length gathered skirt. This can easily be lengthened to your taste. As my Little Miss grows, I think I will add a ruffle to get some extended wear from our beloved Jane! I also love that this has delicate cap sleeves and a nice high neckline. I love sun dresses, but I also like to have options for more coverage for church and as it gets cooler out. I can’t wait to make more of these for each of my girls.

Can you tell she loves it? I bet you and your own little Miss will, too, so make sure you check out Simple Life Pattern Co. when the pattern releases this afternoon!  When you make your own Jane, don’t forget to share it with me and on social media using #SLPcoJane.

Happy Sewing! If you enjoyed this post, make sure you follow Sew and Tell Project on Facebook and Instagram!