Millie's Flutter dress pattern - review and a tutorial

I am fortunate to have some very creative sewing friends who make patterns they allow me to test for them. Not only is it fun to try new sewing ideas, but it is a great way to support each other as friends.

This week, I am proud to show you my version of Millie's Flutter dress by Millie Rose Pattern's and Sugar Bug Clothing's Melissa.  Here is Melissa's version:

 And here is my version!  This was a fun pattern. It was easy to follow. It has a few pattern pieces to print and then some rectangles to cut out.  It all comes together nicely and it can be made with the bib, as Melissa did above, or without, as I did below. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and this style is very versatile. I forsee making on in lightweight cord, for fall and winter. My daughter can easily wear a top under it for warmth.   It has elasticized, flutter sleeves and two rows of elastic in the back, so it fits great. Melissa's instructions are well done and the pieces print nicely.

 

Tutorial for 18" doll version of Millie's Flutter

 I got creative and made a doll version to match.  Melissa like it so much she asked me to put together this tutorial. It isn't really a tutorial, because you will use her directions, but I did design the 18" doll pattern pieces and measurements.

Here is the first dress I made, to match the one for my daughter. This is American Girl doll, Caroline.  It fits slightly above her knee.

 I made a second version for another 18" doll we have by Madame Alexander Company. It fits the same. As you can see, this one has the bib.   For other brands, please tailor as you sew, just in case her measurements are not the same.  For these two doll companies, their measurements are identical so this dress will fit.

 

 Step one, buy Melissa's pattern! Link is in 2nd paragraph, above. All the directions are in her pattern. You will just use my measurements and pattern pieces, as per her permission.

 Here are the measurements, in inches, for cutting straps, skirt, and sash:

Bodice back 2 X 10.5
Top tier skirt 3.5 X 21  cut 2
Middle tier 1.5 X 21 cut 2 

Skirt ruffle 21 X 4 cut 2
Sash front 3 X 7
Sash ties 2 X 14 cut 2
Bib ruffle 2 X 15
Sleeve elastic 3.5 X 1/4
Back elastic 5.25 X 1/4
Back straps should be 2" from center
Front straps align with bib or 1.5" from center

 If you want a long skirt, just add an inch to each skirt tier. Sash ties will be too narrow to fold as Melissa does in pattern so just align with topstitching of front sash.

Here is the pattern piece. This image has been sized down to fit on this blog but it will be correct size when you download it.  To begin, drag this picture from your screen to your desktop.  I have an imac so I am not sure if that will work for PC users.  If it does not, please download this image as you would normally.  When you print, you want to print entire image. Do not scale, unless it does not print correctly the first time. If you continue to have any issues, you may come to my Facebook page and message me and I will send you an attachment of the image and/or try to help in other ways.   This should print out on one 8.5 X 11 inch printer paper with the 1" square measuring correctly. If yours does not print correctly, please adjust your sizing. Contact me on Facebook for questions.

Please understand that the images in this blog are copyrighted as are Millie's Flutter directions and images. Do not copy these images to another blog or use them for any purpose.  You do not have permission to use these directions to make and sell your own pattern. You do not have permission to do anything other than share this tutorial and information, for free, with other people so they can also use this pattern for their own personal use. You have permission to use this pattern for your own personal use or to sell items made from it for small-scale, home-based businesses only. Any mass production of this pattern is forbidden. 

Teacher Totes

 It's that time of the year, time to thank teachers for all they do for our children. Since I was an elementary teacher for ten years, before having kids, I feel especially grateful to teachers.  I know how hard they work!!  

This year, my go-gift is my Perfect Cloth Shopping bag.  Find the free tutorial here! 

I LOVE this fabric I found at Joann's Fabric Store. The best fabric is in the home decorator fabric area, but not on the 60" long rolls. Look for the less expensive home deco fabric on 44" bolts.  And look for it to be 40% off, like I do. This fabric is from Richloom fabrics.  Be sure to look for fabric that can be washed. You definitely want to be able to wash your cloth shopping bags!  Most likely, they will be washable on cold, delicate, air dry.  

I made several of these and I think they turned out lovely

The print is so pretty and fun!

Thanks for reading!

Pattern Designer Interview - Jodi of Jocole

Blog

Etsy Store 

Facebook page

1. When did you start designing patterns and how did it come about?

Patterns have ALWAYS been my passion.  Before having kids I worked as the head patternmaker for 2 different clothing manufacturers.  I started my pdf pattern business in March of 2010.  I was 8 months pregnant with my third child and my husband’s company cut him back to only 2 days a week.  We needed extra income but obviously I couldn’t get a job in my condition.  We sat down and came up with a plan on expanding my business to include pdf sewing patterns.

2. What training do you have or how did you learn?

I have my degree in Fashion Design.  I have always been fascinated with patterns.  When my mother taught me how to sew she was running out the door to go grocery shopping.  She quickly taught me to sew a straight line and then left for an hour.  When she returned I had drafted some patterns, cut out and sewn up an entire outfit for my American Girl doll (hat, shirt and leggings).  She was stunned.

No one was surprised when I wanted to study Fashion Design in college.   I have boxes of notebooks filled with designs and even more boxes filled with patterns that I have drafted over the years (most of which have never even been sewn up into a sample).  I spent my days drafting pattern after pattern after pattern.

 (this may be why she always includes a doll size with each pattern!)

Little Miss Derby  Jacket

3. What is the process of designing a new pattern like?

Each pattern starts with a sketch and an idea of what the completed item will look like.  Then it moves from an idea into a reality with paper and pen and my pattern making tools (scissors, tape, eraser, ruler, hip curve -- just to name a few essentials).  It sometimes takes MANY drafts to complete it (and LOTS of crumpled paper in my waste basket).  After I’m absolutely satisfied with the pattern I move on to grading it into multiple sizes -- for my kids patterns this means 16 sizes (nb through 14 and doll) and for my ladies patterns this means 7 sizes (xs through xxxl).  The pattern then gets scanned and digitized using an illustration program (no hand-drawn pattern pieces here!).  Step-by-step sewing instructions, taking pictures, formatting, testing, editing, re-testing ... it’s still a LOT of work to get that drafted pattern into the computers of my customers.

4. What is the hardest part about designing a pattern in pdf form?

The hardest part of designing patterns is I have 4 VERY small children (6y, 4y, 3y and 22m).  Things get REALLY chaotic around here sometimes.  It’s hard sometimes to remember where I left off before I was interrupted (especially when I’m editing or changing something).  BUT they know they can ask me for anything even if I’m working -- I will NEVER say no to “Mommy, will you read me this book?” The answer is always yes, they are my priority.

Shoreline Tank Pattern

(In my opinion, this is the most useful pattern for a girl I  have ever bought. You can easily make it longer for a tunic, dress, or maxidress. I use this pattern to make summer nightgowns, summer playdresses, and more.)  

5. What is your favorite of your patterns and why?

 

Oooooh that is HARD!!!  I think the Happy Herringbone Dress would have to be my favorite.  I was working on it during a VERY hard time in my life and it helped me get through it.  I can’t NOT smile when I see that pattern.  Followed closely by the Circle Flounce Dress -- this was one of my first patterns and it holds such a special place in my heart.  

Happy Herringbone Dress 

6. Do you sew for your own family or for sale? What do you prefer more, sewing or pattern design, and why?

I don’t sew items for sale, and I sew more for MYSELF than for any of my kids.  I’m almost always wearing something that I’ve made.  I definitely prefer drafting patterns.  If I could completely outsource my sewing and never have to do it again I wouldn’t be sad at all.  

7. Have you learned anything from feedback from customers that you would like to share with other designers or wanna-be designers?

My customers LOVE my size range and that I include lots of options with each pattern.  To new designers I would recommend getting some GOOD pattern drafting and grading books.  Knowledge is power and those books are key ... and then TEST ... TEST ... and TEST !!!

8. Best time and place to design?

Pattern ideas pop into my head all day and everyday ... actually being able to sit down and WORK on them happens after lunch (during naps) or while the kids are playing in the backyard ... or at night after they are all tucked in bed and sleeping.  I only have one kid in school ... so my days are still really chaotic.  I spend a lot of my days on my laptop surrounded by the craziness of my children.  

 9. Favorite fabric of all time?

Anything by Joel Dewberry or Pat Bravo.

10. Favorite thing to do for fun?

After a long crazy day I just want to sit down, be creative and work on something NEW -- which means I have a LOT of unfinished patterns because I get bored easily and move on to something else. I love to sketch and draw. I love to play outside with my crazy kids -- watching them ride scooters or kick a ball around -- we always have fun.  If I want some “me” time I grab my kindle and go sit in a booth somewhere and eat a burger and drink a shake and enjoy some good Sci-Fi Fantasy reading.  And I really really do love to draft patterns. 

 

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I hope you enjoyed reading about one new designer.  

Next week, look for a NEW designer interview from a newish designer plus a tutorial from me on how to turn her lovely dress pattern into a 19" doll version.  
 (I made it with her permission)