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Matilda dress pattern tester roundup!

Matilda pattern tester roundup

Are you ready to see some gorgeous Matilda pattern tester roundup?! As per usual some of our lovely pattern testers have been kind enough to let us share their test makes!

I think my favourite thing about these posts is getting to see how everyone puts their own spin on my patterns. This one is no different! I really hope you enjoy having a peek at what everyone has made, these are a really talented group of ladies! Make sure you pop on over to their blog/IG etc and say hi.

Ok, that’s enough from me, let’s look at some pretty Matilda dresses!

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Melissa // Find her on Instagram @sewingforellie

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I loved your included suggestions about what else you could do with the pattern and the suggestion of block interfacing. I also liked that the pattern tells you when you can add top stitching, if desired. That was really helpful!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I’d like to add a more fitted skirt to the bodice and try omitting the collar. Definitely would try a different fabric! (I used a linen/rayon blend).

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Katharina // Find her on her blog Froebelina // You can also read her post about her Matilda pattern testing experience in German or in English

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The possibilities to arrange stripes and the pockets. I also like the collar a lot.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

Not yet. I omitted the bodice pockets, the were just too much for me and I also didn’t use the sleeve bands but finished the sleeves with bias binding. I used a fabric with stripes.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Lorene // Find her on Instagram @lorenekaukl

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Block fusing instructions are excellent! The illustrations are clear and very helpful. The burrito method used on the yokes is the best I’ve seen. I LOVED how the collar went together. That’s the easiest time I’ve had putting a collar on. And the pockets were fun to sew and look incredible.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

Since my dress was from two different fabrics, and I loved how it turned out, I would like to make one from one fabric.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Kate // Find her on her business Instagram @maizeandmaple and @winzydesign and personal Instagram @k8cann

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The options for just a collar stand, contrasting fabric on waistband and pocket tab, leaving off the chest pockets and still having beautiful princess seams!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I used a vintage sheet and used a coordinating part of the border fabric on the waistband and pocket flap and it’s a very sweet and simple variation. I would definitely do it again in a chambray

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Whitney // Find her at her blog TomKat Stitchery

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The pockets on the front of the skirt are so great! They have a vintage vibe will still being very modern.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I will definitely be making a maxi version in some drapier fabric.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Angela

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The shaping through the bodice back, the yoke that extends to the front and the armhole finishing.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I may make a shirt by lengthening the bodice pieces.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Victoria // Find her on Instagram @vixtodd

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

My favourite thing was the slash patch pockets, I think they look really unusual.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

None yet – I really fancy making it in denim with some pretty piping details… but I will have to wait until I have time to dedicate to it.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Samantha // You can find her on Instagram @brimblebee 

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I love the skirt on this pattern! In the past, I’ve generally avoided shirtdresses. I don’t find that they are very flattering on me because I’m large-busted and short-waisted; however, this pattern is very feminine and flattering. More importantly, the buttons don’t gape! The fit was almost perfect without any major alterations.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I love the fact that the instructions give ideas for modifying the pattern. I will definitely be making a skirt up soon and maybe a collarless version of the dress. I tried the dress on before I attached the collar and liked it so much that I almost left it off. I also might do a version with in-seam pockets instead of the patch pockets. Darling Ranges was my favourite go-to dress pattern, but I think Matilda might have surpassed it!

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Denise

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The really clear instructions!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I will make another one (slightly looser in chambray).

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Emily // Find her at her brand new blog Emmy Couture and on Instagram @emmycouture95

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I absolutely love the skirt pockets! They are well thought out and super practical. I found them much easier to sew than normal in-seam pockets, and they add a special touch to the dress that you won’t find on most ready-to-wear clothes. I also think that the collar and collar stand are wonderful. They go together smoothly and look quite professional with all the topstitching.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I want to make another dress pretty much exactly like my test version. It came out so beautifully this time around, I want several more now! I think it would be absolutely lovely as a peplum top, and I want to see what it would look like without the pockets on the bodice.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Magdalena

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Definitely the pleated breast pockets and drop shoulders.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I would like to sew the dress from more stable and unicolour fabric and I am thinking about half circle skirt.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Erin // Find her online store Brave Fabrics, her blog, facebook and on Instagram

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The awesome big front pockets and the professional finish it has.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I think for this one I am going to take off the shirt pockets (edit:  photo of breast pockets removed is above too!). With my fabric choice I think it gives this dress a little bit too much to look at.

I would love to make a more casual version in a lightweight denim, I think that would be a very versatile dress that I would get a lot of wear out of.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Ylenia // Find her on Instagram @len.blueskystitch

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Two different types of interesting pockets and the side pockets are really deep which make them super functional. I also really appreciated the opportunity for so much topstitching!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

Yes, I have a duck-egg linen that I would love to make this up in, perhaps with contrasting topstitching.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Janet // Find her on Instagram @janbags53

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I really like how the collar looks.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I made my test with very fine light cotton, almost cheesecloth but with a good grain, it will make a great beach cover-up. I would like to make one with heavier fabric.

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!
Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Julie // Find her on Instagram @julie.too

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

All the shirt codes applied to a dress

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

Maybe a peplum blouse version

Megan Nielsen Matilda dress sewing pattern // pattern tester roundup!

WHO

Ingrid // Find on her blog IsaTesDesigns, Twitter @IsaTesDesigns and Instagram @IsaTesDesigns

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I really liked the way the armbands turned out. It is sleeveless but with the band, it provides some camouflage.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I opted to not attach the full collar so it only has a standup collar, which I really like. I also found some snap tape in my studio so I opted to try it instead of buttons. It would be a wonderful solution for anyone who has a problem with gaping/pulling at buttons. I may add some buttons as a design feature on the bodice at a later date. Also left off flaps of bodice pockets.


| LOOKING FOR MORE MATILDA POSTS? |

Here’s the full list of Matilda posts and tutorials:

We’d love to see what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNmatilda and @megannielsenpatterns to share what you’ve been working on, and check out what everyone else is up to!

Don’t have the pattern yet?!

Don't have the Matilda pattern yet?

Order Matilda today in sizes 0-20 or Curve sizes 14-34

About Author

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

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Lydia
Lydia
6 years ago

I have been checking back to your blog almost daily in eager anticipation of these tester photos! They did not disappoint! I am so very excited to sew up my own Matilda, the pattern pattern arrived in the mail yesterday! :)

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Please make an add on with short / elbow length sleeves!

Lucy
Lucy
6 years ago
Reply to  Meg

Would you be able to tell us how to draft a sleeve at all? Id love to know for learning patern drafting anyway.
(Take oppurtunity to say i really Love the brumby skirt i made in grey shot cotton and version for thicker fabrics- so easy to wear and a great style!)

Colesworth
6 years ago

So many fabulous versions!

Let's Get Sewing
6 years ago

Wow! These are all gorgeous. It’s not often that a pattern suits everyone.

danawillard
danawillard
6 years ago

These are so much fun to see! Love all the versions!

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Melinda Pasupulati
Melinda Pasupulati
4 years ago

I’m (finally) ready to make the Matilda dress pattern. I really love the look of the directional gingham check, and would like to give it a go. I can’t seem to find any info or tips about how to go about the extra fabric amount needed and layout of such a feat. I’m wondering if I’m somehow missing it. I would be sewing a size 4. Thank you.

Melinda