I also feel like it’s misleading for pattern companies to not include layout and cutting time in these time estimates. Beginning sewists have no idea what they’re in for.
I wouldn't couldn't make it in an hour because laying out and cutting the pattern is as big of a challenge to me as the sewing! Sewing is the fun part! 😂
In high school (in the mid-70’s) my sisters and I used to make a skort that took about an hour. It is very similar to Simplicity S9595. While the Simplicity pattern uses a single pattern piece, we used a small pattern piece that was the size of the cut out for the in-seam/rise. We made short versions and long versions. Sometimes we used a border fabric. The simplicity pattern shows a ribbon around the waist, but we used elastic and then used buckles or frogs or other fasteners at the waist. It is truly a one hour garment and can be made from all kinds of fabrics.
Yes please a sew-along! The dress looks great on you, and I love the print! I wonder if it would be appropriate for a knit (minus the nightmare bias tape)?
Timing issues aside I think it’s a really cute dress and I like the neck on you. I think it’s pretty. I always appreciate neck lines that are modest, but not constricting or uncomfortable looking. That fabric is gorgeous, and I love the fit of the dress . It’s very elegant and easy to wear.
I love the fabric and the dress came out cute. I appreciate you showing us your thinking process. I still have a hard time figuring out the correct way to sew the binding. Every time I sew it, I end up sewing it a different way, lol. Toni, it's the 8th, your wedding is this Saturday, How exciting!!! I hope everything is going smoothly as you planned and Wish you a beautiful happy day! 🙂
If a seasoned sewist like yourself who cannot seem to sew the dress in an hour as claimed on the packaging, then how would a beginner like me ever do it?! Nevertheless, I am new to your channel and would appreciate and would love to see videos on literal step by step guide on how you put garments together withOUT editing parts OUT of your video. I want to see EVERYTHING....how you lay your pattern on top of your fabric, how you sew at the machine....EVERYTHING please!
No one can sew this dress in an hour, regardless of skill level. I have sew along videos where I go step-by-step. There are also a ton of videos in my back catalog from 2021 that sew individual patterns in extreme detail that you can check out 😉
I’ve had the strappy option cut out in some satin fabric for months to wear as a slip and haven’t got round to it because I’ve never sewn with satin… maybe this is my nudge to finally give it a go!
If you have 2 needles in the serger, you don't need to sew with the sewing machine first. Set the serger for 5/8" (or what width inst. say) and go! Facings are simple to cut, rather than use the bias tape. Just recut the neck or arm hole at about 2-2.5" deep. Not only that, but bias tape does not look as nice as a regular facing. If you choose to remove the bias tape, be sure and steam the neckline before doing anything else, as well as making sure the stay stitching is still good. The dress turned out cute and looks good on you. The armholes look to be about a seam allowance too wide.
Love that fabric! And the pattern (while the instructions may be weird) made a darling dress that looks amazing on you! Love these timed challenges, and your delightful result! I feel like I need this pattern…
The dress looks fabulous! A sew along would be great! Thank you for sharing this journey …….. (the word Easy is misleading to a novice like me!😂😂😂 ) have a great week!
I made this dress ages ago. I still wear it because it is super comfortable. I know it took me more than an hour but that was my fault. The fabric I chose was a super cheap and thin fabric. I lined it with another cheap fabric. I also surged all my seams and edges. I blinded hemmed from my serger. I used this project to learn my serger. I think I did the same thing with the bias tape neckline and sleeves.
Beautiful dress on you and love the fabric. I wonder if the pattern can be altered to change the boatneck neckline into a simple circular neckline? The simplicity of the pattern really showcases the beautiful fabric. A quilter, I’m beginning to entertain making my own bias binding for necklines and armholes. Most sewing times claimed are misleading and what if you have a mistake and need to get ye old seam ripper out? Sewing can be tedious. Rushing insures more mistakes and frustration. I sew in steps so I enjoy process.
I don’t think the pattern would be difficult to alter and I might try it out. It’s a very pretty dress. I need to learn to make my own bias tape binding. I always forget until I need it for a project and then I don’t have time 🤣
Super cute! And that print is gorgeous! Ironing the bias tape open and then re-folding it doesn’t seem to make sense. I’ve never been able to sew a 1-hour pattern in one hour so I’m glad it’s not just me!
Thank you! Glad to know you think the bias tape instructions were crazy too. I still don’t get it… The good news is that NO ONE can sew this pattern in 1 hour-it defies the laws of physics and the space time continuum 🤣
I would likely take an hour just on the preparation: pressing, cutting out, choosing a needle, threading the machine... Personally, I prefer to sew slowly and do it well. If I rush, I'll make mistakes and end up taking longer unpicking and redoing stuff...
I am curious why you didn't just serge the seam allowances, rather than sew-press-serge? Just wondering. For me, it is the best reason to buy a serger. I have a similar pattern but make facings for the neck and armholes. And I totally agree - knowing those extra touches, like understitching and pressing seams, makes our sewing projects look very professional.
I’m not 100% confident with my serger. I’m taking a class at Quilt fest to learn how to use it better. A single seam in knits is fine but I prefer flat seams with woven fabric.
Toni, you did much better than me. I made this dress and it took a few days and it had a huge neckline. It was a real headache. I have a video on it. Yours looks beautiful.
@@SewSewLounge Yes, it was ridiculous. My video was not dedicated to the pattern itself. It was a Dollar Tree haul video and I model and talk about the dress at the 17 minute mark. I mention that the neckline was not fun to sew. I don't recommend the pattern. 🥰
Fun play dress for running around Texas, although Im betting the loose neck will become irritating as you adjust it repeatedly. Mostly, Im impressed by the growing variety of threads behind you.
Is the back more full than the front? I'm wondering why the front was in one piece but the back was in 2 pieces. Would it be difficult to eliminate the center back seam by cutting the back on the fold? I think you look great in that dress! I know I'd take way more than an hour to get it done.
I was wondering the same thing! I don’t see why the back couldn’t be cut on the fold; in hindsight I should have done that to match the print. Thanks! I’m looking forward to wearing it 😊
Yeah, those patterns that say X hours to sew never have the extra necessary steps accounted for. And I love it when they say "easy" but the bodice is lined and there are 12 pieces to it (thanks New Look).
Im so glad when others say the pattern isn't always correct because I always feel so stupid when i follow the instructions and it comes out terrible. 😢 Btw...i love that fabric and you really did an awesome job
It really aggravates me when the pattern companies can’t be bothered to get the instructions right for that same reason. I know how to sew and I can spot the problems. I share them and how to do it right in my videos. It’s not you or your skills. Keep sewing!!
Yeah I wish the neckline turned out better. I still have fabric left so I might take it apart and just make a facing. After I wear it on the honeymoon 😉
It's a cute dress. And I like the boat neck, actually! Maybe consider adding a lingerie band, to keep the edge on top of the bra strap? Personall, unless I wanted the contrast from a bias band, I would probably finish a sleeveless dress like that with a facing. Once you know what you're doing, that's such a quick and neat finish. Less fidly than bias binding, imo. And who does a hand finished hem on a simple summer dress? How odd, that the instructions suggested that!
I’m happy with the way it turned out. Maybe I’ll rework the neckline in the future. But yeah, why would you ever suggest a hand sewn hem in a 1 hour dress?!? Totally impossible if you follow the instructions.
I read that the timed sewing is exactly only sewing time. Everything else is NOT part of the time. I had a very hard time making a 2 hour dress until I found that out!
I never believe the one hour anythings especially for sewing. To get results that I would need for an enjoyable item to wear, lots of adjustments need to go into preparing the pattern piece before the projects even gets to be laid out and the pieces cut. My biggest problems in fitting are narrow shoulders and nice, round fanny (same shape whether I'm large or small)--both of which are real PITAs when fitting. There are a few styles where I can avoid those adjustments but very few. Anyway, by the time I've made the pattern adjustments, I'm long past an hour. And, as seen in the video, some of the sewing methods are little sketchy and leave the garment with the "home made" look instead carefully hand-made. All in all, the end results for this dress are great and the print is perfect for that style. I've seen that timer trick on a couple other sewing YT channels. I might have to give that try. I have a timer on my phone and one for the kitchen so I have no excuse to not give it a go.
I agree. I have narrow shoulder, huge coconuts and a short waist. Everything needs adjusting! An hour is over by the time you adjust the pattern and cut it all out. This vid already had the pattern cut out. (That should be included in the timing, in my mind.)
I view those time estimates as a pipe-dream to be honest. I'm 5 foot 1 so I can't use most standard patterns without altering them heavily anyway, and at that point it's basically mandatory to do a mock-up too.
Hi Toni! I'm watching to see if you can do this dress in 1 hour. I heard normally You do press starts down but on larger size busts, I heard is more shaping when you press them up. Have you ever heard anything like that?
I don't pay attention to pattern company claims. It can be done if you sew like my mother did and don't finish the seams. It helps a lot to curve the bias tape a little as you iron it. Sets the fabric into.A permanent curve and you won't need to redo it. I've been sewing for 45+ years now. I do higher end construction that isn't commonly taught in American schools.
The boatneck and fabric look great on you! Question: You say you pressed the seam out then finished on serger. Does that mean you’re serging one side, single layer then repeating on the same seam or when you serge finish are you pressing seam to one side then serging off two layers? Thanks!
The dart would make this a NO for me. My bust is lower than the pattern darts. I end up having to custom fit the garment and that's too much trouble for what should be an easy sleeveless summer dress. This one looks nice on you though!
It’s actually ECHINO, which is a Japanese fabric company. My fiancée asked me the same thing when I told him the brand. The fabric is linen; 60% flax 40% cotton.
I don’t think they count seam finishing in the time because there are so many different ways to finish them that can take wildly different amounts of time
I sometimes hate bias binding finishes, the pattern instruction dumb it down so much that it's bound to fail. There are much better binding techniques if you study your sewing books. But I would draft a quick facing for your neckline and use that instead.
But I want to wear this dress and unpressed seams that roll around are aggravating. And having used this type of fabric before I also knew I needed to do seam finishes. BOTH things I NEVER did on my projects in college 🤣
I also feel like it’s misleading for pattern companies to not include layout and cutting time in these time estimates. Beginning sewists have no idea what they’re in for.
There is an asterisk that says “sewing time only” but it really should have been a 2 hour time estimate for this dress!
I wouldn't couldn't make it in an hour because laying out and cutting the pattern is as big of a challenge to me as the sewing! Sewing is the fun part! 😂
I think the layout and cutting part hated by everyone 🤣 Sewing is definitely the best part.
I hate sewing under pressure. Too much stress for me. You did an excellent job.
Thank you for your kind words!
Don't forget to make notes on your instruction sheet about the changes you would make
Good tip Linda! I did 😉
In high school (in the mid-70’s) my sisters and I used to make a skort that took about an hour. It is very similar to Simplicity S9595. While the Simplicity pattern uses a single pattern piece, we used a small pattern piece that was the size of the cut out for the in-seam/rise. We made short versions and long versions. Sometimes we used a border fabric. The simplicity pattern shows a ribbon around the waist, but we used elastic and then used buckles or frogs or other fasteners at the waist. It is truly a one hour garment and can be made from all kinds of fabrics.
Maybe if I find that pattern I’ll try it out 😉
Yes please a sew-along! The dress looks great on you, and I love the print! I wonder if it would be appropriate for a knit (minus the nightmare bias tape)?
Glad you are up for a sew along Patricia! Maybe if you really sized it down it would work with knit.
Thanks for the test. I always knew that pattern companies exaggerate.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 😊
Your dress looks really cute on you.
Oh thank you! 😊 I’m excited to wear it.
Sew along please ! I love your videos !
Thanks Debbie! Will do 😉
Timing issues aside I think it’s a really cute dress and I like the neck on you. I think it’s pretty. I always appreciate neck lines that are modest, but not constricting or uncomfortable looking.
That fabric is gorgeous, and I love the fit of the dress . It’s very elegant and easy to wear.
It is a cute dress and super comfortable as an added bonus. I agree on a comfortable neckline 😉
I love the fabric and the dress came out cute. I appreciate you showing us your thinking process. I still have a hard time figuring out the correct way to sew the binding. Every time I sew it, I end up sewing it a different way, lol. Toni, it's the 8th, your wedding is this Saturday, How exciting!!! I hope everything is going smoothly as you planned and Wish you a beautiful happy day! 🙂
Aww thanks Jeannie! The wedding is coming up super fast. We just got our marriage license today 😍
@@SewSewLounge Wohoo, yay!!! Best wishes to one of my favorite brides!! ❤
Lovely fabric and you look great!! Thanks for demonstrating this and talking about the neckline problems with the wider bias tape.
Thank you ❤️ that wide bias tape was a nightmare!!
If a seasoned sewist like yourself who cannot seem to sew the dress in an hour as claimed on the packaging, then how would a beginner like me ever do it?! Nevertheless, I am new to your channel and would appreciate and would love to see videos on literal step by step guide on how you put garments together withOUT editing parts OUT of your video. I want to see EVERYTHING....how you lay your pattern on top of your fabric, how you sew at the machine....EVERYTHING please!
No one can sew this dress in an hour, regardless of skill level. I have sew along videos where I go step-by-step. There are also a ton of videos in my back catalog from 2021 that sew individual patterns in extreme detail that you can check out 😉
I’ve had the strappy option cut out in some satin fabric for months to wear as a slip and haven’t got round to it because I’ve never sewn with satin… maybe this is my nudge to finally give it a go!
You can do it!!!
If you have 2 needles in the serger, you don't need to sew with the sewing machine first. Set the serger for 5/8" (or what width inst. say) and go! Facings are simple to cut, rather than use the bias tape. Just recut the neck or arm hole at about 2-2.5" deep. Not only that, but bias tape does not look as nice as a regular facing. If you choose to remove the bias tape, be sure and steam the neckline before doing anything else, as well as making sure the stay stitching is still good. The dress turned out cute and looks good on you. The armholes look to be about a seam allowance too wide.
What great tips! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Love that fabric! And the pattern (while the instructions may be weird) made a darling dress that looks amazing on you! Love these timed challenges, and your delightful result! I feel like I need this pattern…
Aww thank you! I’m excited to wear it.
The dress looks fabulous! A sew along would be great! Thank you for sharing this journey …….. (the word Easy is misleading to a novice like me!😂😂😂 ) have a great week!
I think a sew along would be fun and then I could share tips on how to make it better than the instructions 🤣. I hope you have a fabulous week too!
I made this dress ages ago. I still wear it because it is super comfortable. I know it took me more than an hour but that was my fault. The fabric I chose was a super cheap and thin fabric. I lined it with another cheap fabric. I also surged all my seams and edges. I blinded hemmed from my serger. I used this project to learn my serger. I think I did the same thing with the bias tape neckline and sleeves.
It’s a great design. The pattern instructions are questionable… 🤣
Beautiful dress on you and love the fabric. I wonder if the pattern can be altered to change the boatneck neckline into a simple circular neckline? The simplicity of the pattern really showcases the beautiful fabric.
A quilter, I’m beginning to entertain making my own bias binding for necklines and armholes.
Most sewing times claimed are misleading and what if you have a mistake and need to get ye old seam ripper out? Sewing can be tedious. Rushing insures more mistakes and frustration. I sew in steps so I enjoy process.
I don’t think the pattern would be difficult to alter and I might try it out. It’s a very pretty dress.
I need to learn to make my own bias tape binding. I always forget until I need it for a project and then I don’t have time 🤣
@@SewSewLounge I think the trick is to make your binding first before you even cut out the dress.
I love your choices in fabrics and use of color ❤.
Thank you! 😊
I like the dress hanging behind you lol!!
Thank YOU!
Super cute! And that print is gorgeous! Ironing the bias tape open and then re-folding it doesn’t seem to make sense.
I’ve never been able to sew a 1-hour pattern in one hour so I’m glad it’s not just me!
Thank you! Glad to know you think the bias tape instructions were crazy too. I still don’t get it…
The good news is that NO ONE can sew this pattern in 1 hour-it defies the laws of physics and the space time continuum 🤣
It looks great!!
Thanks Ann❤️
Really cute!
Thanks Cheboo ❤️
I would likely take an hour just on the preparation: pressing, cutting out, choosing a needle, threading the machine... Personally, I prefer to sew slowly and do it well. If I rush, I'll make mistakes and end up taking longer unpicking and redoing stuff...
I like a good seeing challenge on occasion, just to see what happens 😉
Hi Toni😊 I have this pattern but haven't attempted it yet. Can't wait to give it a try. Love your channel 😊
You can do it! And I’ll probably do a sew along and try it again.
Lovely dress and I do like the boat neckline!
Thank you. I’m happy with the way it turned out too!
I am curious why you didn't just serge the seam allowances, rather than sew-press-serge? Just wondering. For me, it is the best reason to buy a serger. I have a similar pattern but make facings for the neck and armholes.
And I totally agree - knowing those extra touches, like understitching and pressing seams, makes our sewing projects look very professional.
I’m not 100% confident with my serger. I’m taking a class at Quilt fest to learn how to use it better.
A single seam in knits is fine but I prefer flat seams with woven fabric.
Toni, you did much better than me. I made this dress and it took a few days and it had a huge neckline. It was a real headache. I have a video on it. Yours looks beautiful.
Grace, did you have problems with the enormous bias tape too?!? What were they thinking! I’ll have to check out your video 😉
@@SewSewLounge Yes, it was ridiculous. My video was not dedicated to the pattern itself. It was a Dollar Tree haul video and I model and talk about the dress at the 17 minute mark. I mention that the neckline was not fun to sew. I don't recommend the pattern. 🥰
The dress looks very nice on you, I would love a sew along!
Thank you! Yes a sew along would be fun and easy with this dress.
Fun play dress for running around Texas, although Im betting the loose neck will become irritating as you adjust it repeatedly. Mostly, Im impressed by the growing variety of threads behind you.
Wait until you see how I cowgirl it up😉
Is the back more full than the front? I'm wondering why the front was in one piece but the back was in 2 pieces. Would it be difficult to eliminate the center back seam by cutting the back on the fold?
I think you look great in that dress! I know I'd take way more than an hour to get it done.
I was wondering the same thing! I don’t see why the back couldn’t be cut on the fold; in hindsight I should have done that to match the print.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to wearing it 😊
The dress is lovely Toni!
Thanks Marilyn ❤️
Great tutorial
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching 😊
Pretty dress !
Thank you! 😊
Yeah, those patterns that say X hours to sew never have the extra necessary steps accounted for. And I love it when they say "easy" but the bodice is lined and there are 12 pieces to it (thanks New Look).
🤣🤣🤣 so true. Did you really have a New Look pattern that was that complicated?!?
Love the material and really suits you. Also i try to do as little hand sewing as possible due to trigger finger .😊
Thanks for your support! I only hand sew hems when there is no other option for the fabric.
Im so glad when others say the pattern isn't always correct because I always feel so stupid when i follow the instructions and it comes out terrible. 😢 Btw...i love that fabric and you really did an awesome job
It really aggravates me when the pattern companies can’t be bothered to get the instructions right for that same reason. I know how to sew and I can spot the problems. I share them and how to do it right in my videos. It’s not you or your skills. Keep sewing!!
You look fantastic is all you sew, this one's not a favorite. But you still look great!!!! The neckline is so so.
Yeah I wish the neckline turned out better. I still have fabric left so I might take it apart and just make a facing. After I wear it on the honeymoon 😉
@@SewSewLounge Have a nice honeymoon!
It's a cute dress. And I like the boat neck, actually! Maybe consider adding a lingerie band, to keep the edge on top of the bra strap?
Personall, unless I wanted the contrast from a bias band, I would probably finish a sleeveless dress like that with a facing. Once you know what you're doing, that's such a quick and neat finish. Less fidly than bias binding, imo. And who does a hand finished hem on a simple summer dress? How odd, that the instructions suggested that!
I’m happy with the way it turned out. Maybe I’ll rework the neckline in the future. But yeah, why would you ever suggest a hand sewn hem in a 1 hour dress?!? Totally impossible if you follow the instructions.
Super cute dress
Thanks Brenda!
Thanks!
Thank you for being so generous!
good call on the understitching
It makes all the difference! 🤣
I read that the timed sewing is exactly only sewing time. Everything else is NOT part of the time. I had a very hard time making a 2 hour dress until I found that out!
I know,right?!? Thought with this pattern 2 hours to sew would have been more realistic.
I never believe the one hour anythings especially for sewing. To get results that I would need for an enjoyable item to wear, lots of adjustments need to go into preparing the pattern piece before the projects even gets to be laid out and the pieces cut. My biggest problems in fitting are narrow shoulders and nice, round fanny (same shape whether I'm large or small)--both of which are real PITAs when fitting. There are a few styles where I can avoid those adjustments but very few.
Anyway, by the time I've made the pattern adjustments, I'm long past an hour. And, as seen in the video, some of the sewing methods are little sketchy and leave the garment with the "home made" look instead carefully hand-made.
All in all, the end results for this dress are great and the print is perfect for that style.
I've seen that timer trick on a couple other sewing YT channels. I might have to give that try. I have a timer on my phone and one for the kitchen so I have no excuse to not give it a go.
It’s just for fun to see if I can do it. In the case of this pattern it’s impossible for anyone to sew it in 1 hour if they follow the instructions.
I agree. I have narrow shoulder, huge coconuts and a short waist. Everything needs adjusting! An hour is over by the time you adjust the pattern and cut it all out. This vid already had the pattern cut out. (That should be included in the timing, in my mind.)
love it on you
You're the best, thank you!
I view those time estimates as a pipe-dream to be honest. I'm 5 foot 1 so I can't use most standard patterns without altering them heavily anyway, and at that point it's basically mandatory to do a mock-up too.
Wow, how interesting! Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Toni! I'm watching to see if you can do this dress in 1 hour. I heard normally You do press starts down but on larger size busts, I heard is more shaping when you press them up. Have you ever heard anything like that?
I’m not sure Zelda, I’ve never heard of that.
I don't pay attention to pattern company claims. It can be done if you sew like my mother did and don't finish the seams.
It helps a lot to curve the bias tape a little as you iron it. Sets the fabric into.A permanent curve and you won't need to redo it.
I've been sewing for 45+ years now. I do higher end construction that isn't commonly taught in American schools.
Wow, how interesting! Thanks for sharing your story.
The boatneck and fabric look great on you!
Question: You say you pressed the seam out then finished on serger. Does that mean you’re serging one side, single layer then repeating on the same seam or when you serge finish are you pressing seam to one side then serging off two layers?
Thanks!
I pressed the seam open then serged each side. It might be more time consuming but that’s my technique 😉
@ Thanks for your reply. I never knew anybody did that, it seems so time consuming, but I will give it a try!
The dart would make this a NO for me. My bust is lower than the pattern darts. I end up having to custom fit the garment and that's too much trouble for what should be an easy sleeveless summer dress. This one looks nice on you though!
@@CPAndy-x5x thank you! I can understand why you wouldn’t want to go through the bust adjustment for a dress that’s so basic.
@@SewSewLounge Indeed, lowering a dart is a 2 minute process.
What is a chino fabric? Light cotton? What other fabrics are good for this dress?
It’s actually ECHINO, which is a Japanese fabric company. My fiancée asked me the same thing when I told him the brand. The fabric is linen; 60% flax 40% cotton.
I don’t think they count seam finishing in the time because there are so many different ways to finish them that can take wildly different amounts of time
The only finish that might work in an hour is the pinking the edges method which is my least favorite.
@@SewSewLounge hahaha but you forget there is also the "not finishing the seams at all" method, which is one of my favorites lol
I sometimes hate bias binding finishes, the pattern instruction dumb it down so much that it's bound to fail. There are much better binding techniques if you study your sewing books. But I would draft a quick facing for your neckline and use that instead.
This was just the wrong size and the instructions didn’t make sense. The armholes looked much better with the 1/2” bias tape.
You must sew a lot from evidence of all the threads
Having a RUclips sewing channel helps me stay busy 😉
If I were doing a 1 hr challenge, I would not have pressed my seams open. That takes time. If I were doing it for a clas , then I would.
But I want to wear this dress and unpressed seams that roll around are aggravating. And having used this type of fabric before I also knew I needed to do seam finishes. BOTH things I NEVER did on my projects in college 🤣