SEWING CLUB PODCAST EP 6 | SMULTRON DRESS

Let's hear it for Episode # 6 of Sewing Club Podcast! We had the pleasure of sewing up something frilly and flirty for this episode, aka the Paradise Patterns 'Smultron Dress'. It was just the right amount of challenge for a finished Summer dress that looks very ready-to-wear with lots of fun details! 

Pattern: Smultron Dress by Paradise Patterns 

Size: 4 

Fabric Type: Rayon 

Fabric Supplier: Spotlight Stores 

We chose this pattern for the twirly and breezy factor; a dress you could wear on vacation or a night out! Gem and I both really loved the black full length version in pattern sample photos. We also liked that the pattern came with options to choose between an elasticated back or a tie, and a 'v' or 'straight' front neckline. In the podcast, we discussed how the 'v' is more fiddly to sew! 

We were initially unsure about choosing a pattern with spaghetti straps since not everyone is a fan! When we spoke to Sanna, she said that whilst the spaghetti straps are a design feature, it comes down to personal preference and you can just make wider straps and it will become bra-friendly. However, I love making and turning spaghetti straps with the loop turner...the swish of fabric being pulled through! 

The cutting of it was more challenging than anticipated. Initially I cut the front skirt piece on the straight fold instead of the bias. Luckily I had just enough fabric to re-cut the front skirt out of a different piece but I had to add a centre back seam to make it work. Make sure to pay more attention to the cutting layout than me! 

When it came to sewing the front neckline, I decided to go rogue form the original instructions, which turned out to be not the best idea. The pattern instructs you to topstitch the neckline but it was my preference to under-stitch for clean finish. However I didn't do the necessary steps of making the facing a bit smaller, so the end result is that there's a little bit too much tension where the facing joins the bodice. Ho hum! I decided to add a ruffle to the front to add a bit more interest and volume in the bust area (petite sewist over here). The trickiest part is working out how long to make the straps, because it's hard to know how the straps will sit fresh off the machine and over time, since they have the potential to stretch. I had to shorten my straps after the fact! Sanna's tip was to try the dress on with the elastic pinned in to give you a better idea of how the straps will sit. 

Would I make it again? Absolutely! I have plans to make a floaty black version that's easy to dress up and down...

You can listen to Sewing Club Podcast Episode #6 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible or Google Podcasts (insert other favourite poddy platform). Here you'll find all the show notes and we'll reveal the pattern for Episode #6, so you can sew along at home! 

Be sure to check out Gem's leopard Smultron over at Sewing Gem! 

Want to sew your very own Smultron Dress? Get 20% OFF the pattern with the code: SEWINGCLUBPODCAST