If you read my last post about McCall's 2159 you know I was 28 weeks at the time of production. What I didn't say is that I was also working on V9311 simultaneously.
I chose this pattern for my maternity photo shoot because I really liked the idea of being in a field of pumpkins wearing a long flowing dress.
I'd found this dress online and loved it, but wasn't sure about the brand and was afraid to risk the buy.
Last time I bought from an unfamiliar website I ended up over paying for a cheep jumpsuit. Super cute pattern, but way overpriced for what it was.
Anyways I thought, I can sew a dress like that, how hard can it be? I found the V9311 on Amazon .
Which if interested in purchasing yourself you can click the button to go there. The pattern said very easy on it, and the illustration was in the color I was imagining in my head. I thought why not go for it?!
Unfortunately I didn't have any fabric in that color so I headed to the Woodland Joann's with my husband and we went fabric shopping. (He doesn't really enjoy it, he just indulges me lol)
Choosing the right fabric can really make or break your design. I decided on this burnt orange linen. They actually didn't have enough fabric in store, so I bought everything they had and hoped for the best 🙏
It's always a risky game to play, shorting yourself on fabric, but sometimes that's the only option.
Now this pattern is not a maternity pattern, but it does have an empire waist so I figured it should be able to accommodate my big belly. According to the Sizing chart I should be and 18, but I opted for the size 16 hoping I could get away with it. I also used the size 14 ties and sleeve cuffs because I was really short on fabric, and cut over 5 inches off the bottom hoping the dress wouldn't come out too short.
The pattern actually called for biasing the neckline, but you guys know me, I decided to line it instead to get a better overall finish.
I can confirm this dress is Very Easy, because it was easy to make. Two bust darts and one shoulder dart, then attach bodice front to back, I lined it of course.
I had some difficulty keeping the sleeve caps from puckering, we had moved up my photoshoot up a week, which is why I had to complete both the pinafore and this dress at the same time. It made me feel a little rushed, so instead of fixing the puckers I just left it. If it had been for a client I would've made sure it was perfect. But idk, when it's for me I don't seem to care as much. Also since I don't have my serger on me at the moment you can see I've been finishing my seams with a plain zigzag stitch. Nothing fancy. I did a gathered stitch at the hem and attached the cuffs.I love puffy sleeves!
Once that was done the skirt was next, this pattern calls for inset pockets, which are pretty simple, I'm very proud of myself for not skipping any pockets on these Me Mades! I attached both the pocket bags to each side seam, and back ties. Then stitched the side seams together, giving a nice hidden pocket and having ties in place. I stitched the front seam leaving a slit, then finished the slit sewing it down. I closed up the back seam and hemmed the entire skirt with the thinest rolled hem I could manage.
Please let the skirt be long enough!
Then it was time to attach skirt to bodice, and we'd find out if all my hard work paid off. I completed the dress, tried everything on, and was pleased to find that while shorter than I'd like, it was a good fit! Yay! 🎉
And now photoshoot time!
Originally my hubby wanted us to do it at one of the pumpkin patches near the house. Then one of my nieces invited us out to Bishop's, so of course we had to go! Plus I kinda wanted to show him Bishop's anyways lol. Now I had not expected it to be a million degrees in October, otherwise I would have gone with a lighter fabric like rayon, and my poor husband was dying in his flannel shirt I picked for him. But we made it work despite the heat 🥵
A great big thank you to my Mother and Sister, who also braved the heat to take all the pictures of us! And to Bishop's for the wonderful backdrop!
As you can see the skirt came out a little shorter than I'd like, I'm thinking I'll add a little ruffle of some sort to the hem later. Also I had to wear a black cami under because I'm a little too boobylicious at the moment.
Hubby's flannel was a Costco find, and my boots are from Ross. Actually I like these little ankle boots, but they kill my feet ever since becoming pregnant, so I do not recommend for pregnant people. Wear orthopedics it'll make a world of difference, I only put them on because I knew they'd get all dirty after trudging around the farm.
And now it's time for my review!!! I give this pattern a 10/10 it's as easy as I expected it to be, follow the instructions and you'll have no problems. No zipper required, optional pockets, and if you've never done inset pockets this is a good pattern to learn on. I would say this is a good pattern to practice your sewing skills on, you can line it like I did, or just bias the edge like it's called for. Also it fits my pregnant belly, but would look just as flattering on me if I wasn't pregnant so that's a bonus too! If you've also made this dress I'd love to hear about your experience!!!
Happy sewing! And see you next week!
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