When we send out our new patterns for testing, it’s always an exciting time…waiting to see what our wonderful testers come up with! The Protea Tester Round Up has been no different! We were blown away to see the beautifully varied creations by the test group! Skirts, dresses, tops, square necks, round necks, flutter sleeves…even some stunning facing embroidery…this test round has it all! Sending lots of love to our testers, we appreciate you!
You may notice that some makes are a little different to the final views of the pattern. After our first round of testing, we decided to make some changes to the pattern, after which we ran a second test round. This roundup includes makes from both test rounds and we hope you will enjoy seeing all these gorgeous makes! Many of our testers chose to mix and match pattern pieces to create their own looks – which always makes us really happy to see! Check it out!
WHO
Emma @emma.rakes has made View C Dress with a square neckline, flutter sleeves, tiered gathered skirt & drawstring
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
My favorite thing about the protea dress is the flutter sleeves! Still a fun sleeve detail but a departure from all the gathered sleeves that have been filling up my closet recently.
The version I made to test is view C in a very light and flowy rayon. I would love to make view E in linen and view A with the square neckline instead of the round neckline in light summer cotton for this summer!
WHO
Megan @megmakesallthethings has made View C Dress with a tiered gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I think this pattern is great! Super versatile and a quick sew.
I am a fan of ruffles, so I like the idea of View A with a small ruffle added to the sleeve hem and maybe the skirt hem as well. I also want to make a colour-blocked version of View C with a different colour for the bodice and each tier.
WHO
Alyx @enderallsews has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
It’s a simple pattern but produces beautiful results! The square neckline makes for an interesting detail and sews up so neat and nice.
I’d love to make the top hacked with a front or back button placket.
WHO
Andrea @annieleenaturally has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
This is the perfect top for spring! I love the sleeves and square neck.
WHO
Darwin @darwin.sews has made View C Dress with tiered gathered skirt and View E Tiered gathered skirt with elastic waistband & drawstring
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
The pattern itself is very on trend, and the tiered skirt really elevates this simple design. I love how the pattern is oversized – it makes it easy to throw on and wear, and can be cinched in with a waist tie or belt, and I never have to worry about it feeling tight after snacking all day.
WHO
Emily @emilygutman has made View C Dress with square neckline, tiered gathered skirt & drawstring
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
My favourite thing about this pattern is the versatility- I love being able to swap out necklines/sleeves/etc to create different looks from one pattern.
WHO
Kelsey @wanderingsewist has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
The Protea Blouse has such a timeless design and the square neckline is such a classic look. Because the instructions were so detailed, this came together so quickly and easily!
The Protea instructions were as flawless as ever, and really make more professional sewing techniques extremely accessible to beginners.
WHO
Geri @geri_in_stitches has made View C with a rounded neckline and tiered gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
This is an easy-to-sew and easy-to-wear dress and will be a summer staple in my wardrobe. The instructions are super clear and easy to follow for a beginner.
My favourite thing about the pattern is the square neckline and the roomy pockets. I also like how the top edge of the pockets is secured neatly at the seam allowance that connects the bodice to the skirt.
WHO
Helen @vintageshabbyoneofakind has made View C with a square neckline and tiered gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I love that there are choices of neck lines and skirts also the addition that I could made a top makes this a very adaptable pattern great value. I made the square neck as I have a few similar round neck ones and it made up with ease even though I have not sewed a square neck for a while.
The pattern has amazing instructions, just take a step at a time for great results, some fab tips as well included.
WHO
Jana @janabkleinm has made View A Dress with pockets & gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I love the top stitching details around the hems and neckline to which I added machine embroidery.
I would like to try out the square neckline next and maybe add the tiered skirt. I also want to try and add a faux button placket to the front to mimic a RTW dress that I have and love. This dress reminded me of it as soon as I saw it.
WHO
Julie @l.oopylou has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
My favourite thing about the pattern is its versatility. As well as being able to mix and match amongst the different views, there are so many opportunities for hacking that I will definitely be making other versions. My next version is either going to be a button front or adding sleeve ruffles. I can’t decide!
WHO
Maddie @littlemadds has made View A Dress with pockets & gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I love the fullness of the gathers! I feel like this pattern really nails the amount of fabric in the skirt that makes for a swishy dress without feeling like you’re being weighed down or drowning in fabric.
I’m really excited to have been included in this. This dress was very approachable and is one of the first things I’ve sewn in months. I think I’ve gotten my sew-jo back!
WHO
Lisa from Pattern and Branch has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem and View C Dress with square neckline, flutter sleeves, tiered gathered skirt & drawstring.
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
This is a versatile pattern with a lot of possibilities. My favorite thing was the inclusion of a top with a square neckline. I can envision this made in so many different fabrics with and without fun trim and embellishments. That being said, I also love that the dress version has pockets that are anchored in the waistline. They would be great for summer. Can you imagine them in linen or double gauze?! I can picture myself stashing lots of shells and sea glass in those pockets!
WHO
Linnet @Linnaeht has made View B Woven tee with a rounded neckline and fitted sleeves
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I really loved the ease with which it came together, and the endless variations and possibilities!
I plan on lengthening the top to make a shift dress. I have a lot of jersey pieces leftover from other projects, and I want to make a colour block shift dress! The ease and simplicity of the pattern really allow for experimentation, and it lets the fabric shine.
WHO
Luna @lunalorce has made View A Dress with pockets & gathered skirt and View E Tiered gathered skirt with elastic waistband & drawstring
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
My favorite thing about the pattern was that it was very easy to cut out. I also thought it was easy to construct. Gathering always takes me awhile to get the gathering even, but overall it‚ it’s a cute skirt and easy to sew.
WHO
Maureen @atomic_beet has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I really enjoyed the ease of sewing the squared neckline. As someone who loves that look, but doesn’t often sew them, it was a real treat.
I really enjoy making Megans patterns, they are always well thought out and very easy to follow along. I find the tips and notes always helpful!
WHO
Megan @Smeebot has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem and View E Tiered gathered skirt with elastic waistband & drawstring.
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I really like how many options come with the pattern, so you could use it to make many different items of clothing. Personally I loved how easy the skirt was to put together and how it creates a really easy and wearable skirt for summer.
WHO
Melodye @MelodyeJoyO has made View C Dress with square neckline and tiered gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I used the square neckline for the tiered skirt version. I also put a strip of the bodice fabric between tiers to tie the bodice to the skirt.
WHO
Patricia @cereal.sewist has made View A Dress with pockets & gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
My favourite part of the pattern is the hackability and ease of construction. I plan on making one with a box pleat skirt and some ruffle hem sleeves.
WHO
Sam has made View A Dress with pockets & gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I really like the simple easy feel of this dress. It could be dress up or worn casually. I love the side seam pockets, pockets are always a win for me!
WHO
Sarah @SweetGreenStudios has made View A Dress with pockets & gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I loved how easily it came together and how easy it is to throw on. I feel so comfortable in this dress and not worried about how my body looks, which is an enjoyable thing to feel.
I have plans to use plain fabric and add some embroidery to the top of the pattern. I love the square neckline and think it would be a really nice addition to jazz up the top and make the dress even more special.
WHO
Sheryl @Zsmitch has made View A Dress with pockets & gathered skirt
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I love that it so simple yet with the right fabric and accessories it can be dressed up for a dinner out or dressed down with flip flops for a day at the beach.
WHO
Lorene @lorenekaukl has made View B w/flutter sleeves and View C w/rounded neckline
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
I like the different sleeve and neckline versions to mix and match. Since the top is fairly short, I’d like to add a little ruffle to my next version.
WHO
Ytmar has made View B Woven tee with bust darts & wide hem
WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THE PATTERN?
The square neck is beautiful and unique and I will make several of these for summer.
Thank you again to all of our Protea testers! Be sure to check out our Protea Curve Tester Round Up for even more beautiful makes!
LOOKING FOR MORE PROTEA POSTS?
- How to choose between Protea & Protea Curve
- Protea Inspiration & Ideas
- Protea Tester Round Up (this post!) & Protea Curve Tester Round Up
- Hacks for the Protea Curve Capsule Wardrobe
- Sewalong: Staystitching, Darts & Shoulder Seams
- Sewalong: Neckline Facing (this post!)
- Sewalong: Side Seams & Sleeves
- Bonus Protea Hack: Sleeveless Protea
- Sewalong: Dress Drawstring Channel
- Sewalong: Pockets & Skirt
- Sewalong: Tiered Skirt
- Sewalong: Attaching the Skirt to the Bodice
- Sewalong: Dress Drawstring
- Sewalong: Skirt Waistband
- Sewalong: Hem
- Bonus Protea Hack: Elastic Puff Sleeves
- Bonus Protea Hack: Removing Bust Darts
DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?
