Abriella Girls Dress

Very beautiful!

My daughters didn't pick out the easiest or most advisable fabric for this but it still turned out fantastic! I will be using it again! We used it for a daddy daughter ball.

Stunning

This was hands down the most beautiful and most challenging garment I have ever made-and I've been sewing for a long time. The directions are really quite clear and as others have said, read them and then read them again before starting. But then-just take it one step at a time. I think the most difficult part for me was looking at the garment as a whole, but when I decided it was really just a bodice with a very fancy skirt I was able to handle it! A few things I changed-I left out the French seaming-I found it unnecessary - the bodice is lined after all. I can see wanting to enclose the seams on the sleeve and shoulder if using a scratchy lace -although I just did regular seams, bound them with an edge stitch and then tacked them down by hand. I made the high/low version but only used the top layer and then the lining. I had the extra tulle, but when I got the top layer put together I didn't feel that the extra tulle was needed to achieve the look I wanted. The zipper was my least favorite part, but then zippers always are for me! I basted it in by hand and then sewed it in by hand-this is the way I do all my zippers. Time consuming, but it's just my way of doing them. When I did the binding around the neck I used the machine to attach it, but then again hand sewed when I turned it to the inside. So I suppose I did more hand sewing than I usually do, but it was enjoyable and I was being very particular after spending so much on the fabric. Anyway, all that said, I absolutely love this pattern. The dress is stunning and my grandaughter is over the moon with it.

Stunning Dress

At first glance it's very easy to be overwhelmed by this dress but I found the directions to be very easy to follow taking it one step at a time. But as others have suggested-read it and then read it again before starting. I did modify somewhat-left out the French seams, but this was after attempting them and then realizing they didn't seem necessary-especially on a lined bodice. I just made the bodice like I have for many other dresses and then set in the sleeve rather than sewing one long seam that would include the sleeve and the bodice side. Overall I would definitely recommend this pattern to anyone looking for a challenge! The end product is gorgeous! Thank you for designing such a beauty!