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!
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).
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
- How to choose between Matilda & Matilda Curve
- Matilda Inspiration & Ideas
- Matilda Tester Roundup (this post!) & Matilda Curve Tester Roundup
- Matilda Maker Roundup
- How to Grade Matilda Between Sizes
- How to Lengthen or Shorten Matilda
- Matilda Broad Back Adjustment
- Sewalong | Skirt & Skirt Pockets
- Sewalong | Bodice & Breast Pockets
- Sewalong | Front & Back Yoke
- Sewalong | Waistband & Placket
- Sewalong | Collar & Stand
- Sewalong | Hemming & Sleeve Bands
- Sewalong | Inserting the Sleeves
- How to Sew Buttonholes Without An Automatic Function
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?!
