Closet Core Patterns Nicks Dress| My Thoughts and Review

[@susananddavidhildreth7132]

I totally agree that little mistakes are disappointing when paying so much for a pattern. I purchased the printed version of the pattern and I think that there is also a mistake on the fabric cutting diagrams...They label the top layout as "View C" and it is definitely the layout for the Veiw A dress.

[@Jemma1106]

Fab review and I love that you have pointed out the errors. As a beginner I would have been completely stumped with this! Thank you!

[@marilynkelly315]

Thank you for such a detailed review - it’s really helped me - I’m planning on making & reliving my youth ! 😘😘

[@vhudson10]

Love this type of review! So very helpful.

[@lonniebolwerk8164]

Love dress, colour definitely suits you

[@ann-sofiefridellsandberg4477]

Love the color on you! It suits you well.

[@GripPatch]

Love your suggestions! They were very useful.

[@kimberlypiter8718]

Thank you for an indepth review. I would love to sew this dress too.

[@carolreece9950]

Thank you, much appreciated

[@Maggiewaggiemoo12]

Really great comprehensive review. Thank you so much, I’m planning on starting this tomorrow so your tips are really helpful x

[@alisonlowrie7220]

Fantastic review, thank you. Now I feel more prepared to start sewing this pattern.

[@michellelemesurier3106]

Awesome review... Thank you 😊

[@brenholmes4894]

This dress is on my 'to sew' list. Thank you for the review, it is very useful.

[@EmilyMeese]

Amazing review - so helpful! I'm 5'11" and have been putting off making the nicks dress for the reasons you were mentioning about revising the pattern but I'm going to make the changes you suggest to bodice and sleeves in a toile, so happy to have found your video!

[@noraarmstrong3470]

Loved this review. Am about to start cutting out and have taken your thoughts and tips into account. 😊 Thankyou

[@martinr7371]

Great review.

[@eileenturner9932]

It's a very good video xx

[@lovejohandmade]

I’ve watched this numerous times now as it’s so helpful. In the middle of sewing the blouse version and I’m taking your advice for the sleeve finish (I don’t need added length as I’m super short). Cross fingers it works out. Thank you so much.

[@theyorkshiresewgirl]

Love your reviews! They are so thorough and really fair. Dress is gorgeous and really suits you. Worth the gathering 🎉

[@ukiewife]

Great review, Rachel! 👍🏻 Your dress (and that fabric) is lovely and you look smashing in it! 🤩 I know some people might say you're being nitpicky about the mistakes in the pattern because I'm like you and have definitely been accused of it before. However, I wholeheartedly agree with you that, as a consumer, I expect a professional product / experience in return for the money I'm paying. When I see errors like the ones you pointed out, that business's professionalism goes down a notch or two in my view. In the case of this pattern, you would assume that with so many different people seeing the instructions, that those errors would've been caught and corrected before it was released but I guess not. Anyway, Happy New Year to you and your family! 🍾 Wishing you the best in 2023.

[@stitchfergus9084]

Excellent review and beautiful dress! Thank you!! 😊😊

[@sherrillgrippando4356]

Wanting to make this dress soon and found this vlog most helpful. I think your evaluation of the pattern will save valuable time. Thanks😊

[@JoyfulFreckles]

Hi Rachel, thank you for the very thorough and comprehensive review! Typing mistakes in pattern instructions also drive me insane, including spelling errors, so you're not alone there. The dress is so stunning on you, that colour is amazing. I have this pattern from the Guthrie and Gannie (??) Sewing Society kit but I haven't cut it out yet, because from the sounds of it a toile would be prudent...but that seems like a big commitment 😅 perhaps I will knuckle down and try it now. I definitely like sleeves either long, or elbow length, not awkward dangly forearm length, so will lengthen my sleeves I think! Thank you again xx

[@supastitched]

Thank you Rachael for giving up your valuable time to help the sewing community. You do a fantastic job in presenting your blogs in a friendly style, encouraging both the less experienced and the more accomplished. Those who are not well pleased with that, should perhaps, look elsewhere !! Happy New Year and keep up the good work !

[@robynjury4403]

Great review! I've made this dress, I agree with you about the errors, it is annoying and can reduce trust in how thoroughly the rest of the pattern has been checked. I wanted the dress for a summer wedding (southern hemisphere) so I in fact slightly shortened the sleeves for a 3/4 length. I think the pleats are there to accentuate the shape but I agree, they don't really add to the design. I'm already short so it's midi on me which I think the pattern suits. I found the back of the dress bodice almost excessively blouson for my taste. I also don't enjoy gathering but love the final effect, I use the dental floss method. I do think the dress achieves the Stevie Nicks boho vibe and I felt good in it at the wedding I went to, paired with wedge shoes and a round ratten handbag, a ratten round buckled 70s belt, and I used wooden buttons on the bodice (with a paisley fabric). I probably would make again, but will look for a fabric sale because 5 meters of fabric is pretty pricey now!

[@cathie1022]

Great review! I’m currently in the middle of making this and do wish I had watched this before I cut it out. Fingers crossed it’s okay!

[@cindy7702]

Love the Nicks dress.. I have to make it.. I need to decide on the fabric. Yours is gorgeous..thanks for sharing.

[@nimuenorth6295]

Ah yes, sleeve length. Fellow sufferer over here. Too short sleeves are all sorts of uncomfortable on top of looking awkward. Cold wrists in winter are terrible! What’s supposed to be 3/4 is always tight bunching in the elbow on me. You know what I’m talking about. And I 100% get why you went through the effort of redoing the sleeves. The dress came out way too pretty to stay in the closet because the sleeve length is annoying you! ❤ The “confidant” typo is the kinda thing my teacher brain gets stuck on and that pattern testers will likely miss because that’s not the section they focus on. Proofreading is a skill all it’s own and important. The other two are more troublesome because they create issues a confident/confidant beginner likely won’t recognise up front which can be so frustrating. When you said 2” binding strip and 5/8” seam allowance, my mind immediately went “half inch!”. Because that’s how the math works out. Depending on how I want to stitch it down, I might even cut 2 1/4 strips to make things easier with some wiggle room. That’s definitely the kind of mistake pattern testers should catch if they are thorough. But how much can we expect from pattern testers that are essentially paid in a free, early access pattern and maybe the required fabric, if they are lucky? The indy designers are obviously working with economic constraints, especially the one or two women companies out there. But there’s a flaw/weak point in the system.

[@aimeekluiber]

Yes...all of this! I'd rather indies put out fewer well-written patterns than bite off more than they can chew!

[@nancynewman6592]

It is all in one's perspective.. with your green boots I love that space between the boots and dress, it gives a cool and funky look from here. Looks great!

[@joannebanks2147]

Lovely make beautiful dress on you Glad you were relaxing and sewing in between Christmas and new years Always looking forward to seeing more Take care

[@protu56]

Very good review, thank you! I love that you mention spelling errors, because for those of us that have a different mother tongue than English, spelling errors can lead to misunderstandings and uncertainty. Anyway, I think that it is fair to expect much from these rather expensive patterns. I do so appreciate your videos, I learn a lot, and am quite entertained as well 🤩

[@loriannpayne4483]

Great review - lots to think about - good for all patterns really!

[@drs4876]

Happy New Year.Wishing you all the best with happy memories.

[@andreab3671]

I love this dress and have recently made a similar one which is proving great for those cooler summer days we sometimes get. Your description of the south of France made me smile as the beach scene I am looking out on from my caravan in Nelson New Zealand while watching your review is exactly the carefree beach life you describe.

[@morganbell8200]

Thank god for your review Rachel! I was just about to cut my fabric and worried the pattern pieces looked big. Going to go down a couple of sizes and length the sleeves a little! Don’t think I’ll bother with the cuff piece either, just seems unnecessary

[@victoriaconstantine-cort3091]

Happy New Year!!! xXX👍👍👍

[@annettecowburn1096]

Gorgeous dress 👗 thankyou for your honest review.

[@projectrainbowscamp1996]

Rachel, thanks for starting 2023 with a great review. All of the detailed information you gave will make a huge difference when I get around to making my Nicks dress. Those errors in the instructions would have cost me hours since I'm much less experienced. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@janevellenderartist]

Beautiful dress, really suits you. Very useful balanced review

[@karenwoodhead]

A comprehensive review - thank you for taking the time. So helpful.

[@happyshopper570]

thank you for the honest review, it was so interesting! i honestly do blindly do what the instructions tell me do do without realsing whether they could be wrong. closet core are not cheap patterns either so i agree with you that the instructions would be spot on.

[@maureencullen1008]

I forgot to say ,I bought "duck billed"scissors which are brilliant as they only cut the top part of the seam allowance, keeping the underneath fabric safe .

[@sew_So_beautiful]

I forgot to say, that was an excellent review. You covered everything which is what I look for in someone's review of a pattern. Well done and thank you.

[@juliewilde663]

Thanks for such a great review. The dress looks absolutely fabulous on you.

[@pattykingkade5778]

Gorgeous dress. Thank you for this review as this dress is on my “to make” list.

[@lesleyjones5455]

Love your reviews thank you Rachel

[@happydogshandmade4680]

Thank you soooo much for taking the time to do this. I am just starting this pattern and have made a note of all your useful tips. I am just under 5’3” so I would worry I’d be drowned in it but as you note I shall take an inch off every layer. Plus although I am a shortie I have the longest arms…everything is too short on me so I am doing the same as you too. You are a start , thanks again Jaki xx

[@happydogshandmade4680]

Star ⭐️ not start flipping spellcheck 🤪

[@jennyturner6399]

Love the fabric and the dress is very beautiful. 🧶🌈💙🍓

[@janetwilliams7705]

Thsnk you for your thoughtful, thorough review. Happy New Year!

[@sewagnes6706]

Lovely dress Rachel - beautiful material. Such a fab detailed review 👏I've not made this dress, but your review has made me look at it further, so thanks. Look forward to meeting you at Sam's sewscial next week 😻

[@katep2382]

Brilliant, great review, really thorough and helpful esp. as I'm 5'9" and always need to lengthen body etc. Lovely dress and fabric. Thanks!

[@pebblypam3082]

I’m just about to make the Nicks dress (very late to that party)! I’ve been going round in circles of which size to use - your vlog has been so useful. May start with the tunic as I’m 5’3” and think the dress might swamp me, although I love the look of this dress. Thank you for a really informative review - so helpful. 😊

[@derynporter5287]

Such a helpful review. Your criticisms are fair and justified but although you have made them I am now keen to make the dress. Not the first time you have won me over to a pattern!

[@runningsewandsew]

Its really lovely Rachel, x

[@ruthlanwarne8978]

The dress looks lovely on you and that colour is 👌🏻. Until I started using Indie patterns 6-7 years ago I don’t think I ever found any mistakes I all the years I used the Big Four, which were the only ones available when I started sewing. I was absolutely astonished to find mistakes and sometimes poor drafting so the fit was terrible. I first made the Ultimate shift dress by Sew over it and the sleeves were so tight your arms couldn’t move.I have gone on to use many more of their patterns but I’m always aware of this and allow for it. I eventually drafted my own sleeve for this pattern as I liked the simplicity of it and made a few of them. Well done for your new make and comprehensive review.😊

[@anmar49]

Good to know as I've got the ultimate shift dress on my make list, thank you

[@ruthlanwarne8978]

@@anmar49 Yes so just check the shoulders or add 5/8 into the back seam. That was suggested to me at Sew over it on one of their courses.

[@liza_lou]

Great review! It is a pet peeve when bodices are mirror images and the pattern repeat is obvious, your extra work you put into the dress really shows, it's beautiful!

[@karenh7537]

I’m new to closet core, your dress is beautiful!! I’m just about to start the Elodie dress ❤

[@Dizzyknitsandcurls]

Happy new year love;y dress

[@thesewingtrolleydolly7736]

Rachael, thanks for the thorough review. Your dress looks great. Happy New Year t yo and yours.🍾🥂😍

[@amierikke6225]

I’m tall also, 5’11” and I’m hanging on every word you are saying about your dress and how you adjusted it. Thanks so much.. I love your dress.

[@philiptipping6738]

Great review and the dress is lovely. Cheers Mary.

[@cecilehoare3053]

Your Nick is awesome! Your review is great, you should do pattern testing since your reviews are so thorough! As for the spelling mistake, CC is out of Montreal, QC Canada and confident in French is confiant (masc) confiante (fem) maybe that is why it was missed. I like using the fine elastic, like was used on the Covid asks when gathering, it isn't expensive and goes so much faster. Happy new year!

[@marnieskuse2399]

Brilliant review - many thanks x

[@annwilson4160]

Great review Rachel , I’ve got the pattern but wanted to see what other’s thoughts were before cutting into 5 m of fabric.

[@caroldavies6666]

Thank you so much for such a thorough and clear review. I have the pattern and material for the tunic and the blouse versions. So glad I’ve watched this before setting to work on them. I am also tall with long arms and would normally add 1-2 inches to sleeve length. Will definitely be adding 4 inches now. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

[@noeleengayjess8416]

That was a very in-depth review, I loved it that’s how a review should be. Thank you so much. I haven’t made the dress yet but about to it is summer here now in Australia or suppose to be. The weather is all over the place. Love your dress. Stay safe.

[@jonelder1204]

I love this pattern and am planning on making it, so your review has been super helpful - thank you. Looking online, I think the sleeve pleats do add something by giving a slightly more architectural look - but, that probably isn't noticeable on a busy fabric anyway.

[@sosewmad]

What a wonderful review,I'm so tempted now I've seen your version!

[@sarahhellewell7936]

The dress looks so lovely on you. Thanks for the tip about the arm and bodice length - i think i will be lengthening both too, as i like the top part t ‘blouse’ over at the waist too and those arms do look very short!!

[@annsinclair6709]

Fabulous review and a beautiful end result. I'm tall and can't bear sleeves not being long enough, but unpicking a French seamed sleeve head is a task and a half, so an extra well done you from me. Re the skirt length, I'd add some lace.

[@nancyhilborn885]

Stunning!

[@barbaramallon4755]

Totally love your pattern review comments. I too expect the spelling, details and instructions to be fully worked out in patterns. I also appreciate your observations about what to watch for if you are a petite person (which I am) making this dress because you got it right on! Having said that, your finished dress looks great on you and especially making another front bodice piece was important. I too can't see why you'd do a cuff when a gathered elastic sleeve looks exactly the same, and recutting to lengthen the sleeves is a must if it hits at the wrong place, I hate that awkward place just above the wrist.. Thank you much!!

[@dianahossfeld4728]

Hi Rachel: I made version C straight out of the envelope, I will be honest I do not look at the instructions that closely, but I do agree with the pleats on the sleeves, I thought they were kind of useless, and the cuff instructions had me scratching my head so I just did my own thing, I love how it turned out and I will make it again with the rouleau option and make the bodice a bit longer as I found it a bit short on my 5'7" frame, I liked the sleeve length on me but I tend to like my sleeves more on the three quarter length.

[@alisonkemp1671]

Great review thank you Rachel I have purchased this pattern and am looking forward to having a go when I have a few more simple makes under my belt 😊

[@colleenisaac8621]

Your dress is beautiful and looks great on you. I love the style of that dress.

[@KittenishBehaviourSian]

💙💙

[@wolfgangshuman]

That colour is gorgeous on you. The dress looks amazing. Happy New Year 🎉

[@gingerninja_sews]

Love this dress. I've had a look at the Drapers Daughters version the pleats in the sleeve do make a difference but maybe its because hers is a plain fabric. As a newbie sewer I've come across quite a few patterns with errors and it is really frustrating but I'm getting the knack of the seam ripper lol

[@judithaltoft4690]

Lovely review Rachel, i bought this pattern to make but havent yet so your review has really helped when i start it, your dress looks beautiful on you so thank you for a great review x

[@robynstock3516]

Wonderful review happy to see you back …..the colour of the fabric is gorgeous and the style perfect shows off the fabric xx

[@maryhearn2614]

Thanks for this review. It arrived just as I was about to cut mine out. How fortuitous..I agree with you that spellings errors like Confidant are inexcusable in a pattern costing £21. I also agree that the fabric requirements are quite optimistic. I have 83cm left from my 5m although I didn’t follow the cutting layout. There is definitely room for some jiggery pokery in the cutting out. I took your advice and added 2.5 cm to the sleeve length. I’m not as tall as you but I definitely needed that extra bit of length, I also debated on whether to do your sleeve gathering but decided to do the pleats and cuffs in the end as I think the point of the pleats is to concentrate the volume at the elbow side side of the sleeve rather than having that volume under your arms. The cuff instructions are definitely wrong, I forgot you’d commented on them and followed the instructions to find they’d ended up the reverse of what they should be. DOH ! I found it easier to gather the bottom tier in two halves as doing the whole thing in one go is just too unwieldy. A very helpful review and your dress is gorgeous.

[@marilynsheppard8321]

What a wonderful review Rachel. All of your details will help anyone who makes this dress in the future. I love how it looks on you, sadly I would just look like a sack of tatties. I agree totally about the mistakes, inti patterns aren’t inexpensive and the instructions should be perfect. Ps….you look really well. 😍

[@susiekaiser1]

I’m with you, Rachel. If I’m spending our hard earned money on a product I expect it to be correct in all ways. Very nice review!

[@sewmuchsewing]

I'm making the Nick's Blouse as I watch this review! So far so good. I'm with you on hating gathering and try as I might I'm never 100% happy with my result. There is some gathering on the Blouse but not anywhere near the amount on the dress.

[@clothedit]

Well, you have tipped me off the fence and into the Nicks camp. 😍 It's interesting to get your take on the ease. I don't think I'd like as much fabric either 😁. Your dress is absolutely stunning 💚💗💗💚Happy New Year to you 🥂

[@maureencullen1008]

That was a fantastic start to 2023.A brilliant,in-depth review that was completely understandable.The dress looks gorgeous on you. I was wondering ,as there were cuffs,why you didn't just unpick those and make them longer for just this make. I think the darts at the sleeve ends are supposed to give the finished sleeve a lantern shape sleeve. I don't know if your machine makes one but I bought a gathering foot for my machine which is great and you can pleat with it. I loved this vlog

[@susanrobinson5444]

Many thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed and constructive review. I really don’t mind how many times you say “ if that makes sense”. 😂 really people? Happy New Year!

[@StitchedUp]

Thank you Susan, I’m sorry if I say these things too much we all have these little quirks

[@jackiesippitt8019]

Aww - I was there with you strolling along a promenade in a pair of capri trousers and the top.... Seriously though - what a great review - as Ruan says it is thorough and really fair. I agree entirely about accuracy in pattern instructions; as a relative newbie in sewing that would have had me head scratching for some time! Love the dress on you, so all that gathering was worth it in the end! 😊😊

[@beckyunderwood4220]

Beautiful dress, lovely fabric ❤

[@christineowen6658]

It's a lovely dress. Its a shame about the pattern mistakes, my Clare coat instructions tell me to enjoy wearing my new Jean's at the end 🤣 💝 xxx

[@StitchedUp]

😳😳😳😳 wow really???

[@christineowen6658]

@@StitchedUp luckily the instructions are perfect and I did end up with a coat 🙂

[@debsmadethis]

Thanks for this Rachel, glad you are enjoying your dress, it looks fab. I made the dress version a few weeks ago , didn't have an issue with the bias neckline, but I think I hand sewed it. I think I checked the sleeve length and added 2 inches rather than my usual 1 ! Making a short sleeved blouse version for a friend today and it came together really quickly.

[@mysewingpractice]

Hi Rachel. thanks for the review. I am also 5"10" so I find your reviews very interesting. I know the exact feel of the bodice being too short and not having enough fabric to cover at the breasts.(suggestion: wear you best lifting bra when wearing that dress) I sewed a similar dress and made it too big. It looks frumpy. It's interesting to me that even though that style has abundant ease the fit is still important. Recently I added a 4" knit cuff to a RTW blouse that had an elastic wrist finish that was too short. I believe the RTW blouse was designed to end above my wrist, but it was irritating and annoying. I saved the blouse. We tall girls have to get creative to make things long enough!

[@tovekjellerd6552]

That was a really good review and the dress looks perfect on you. Thank you. As I'm 5.10 myself I know all about sleeve issues. I always add 5cm automatically to all things sleeved and until this day, none have been too long. My monkey arms come in handy as well from time to time! Happy New Year!

[@tracybarnes6608]

It is true, they are professionals and need to check spelling and errors like this, it’s not fair to beginners to follow instructions and have to rectify because the pattern instructions are wrong. My husband and I have noticed this is newspapers and novels lately that spelling mistakes are common. Gorgeous dress Rachel, that color (American spelling lol) really suits you. Xxx Maybe Martin will surprise you with a trip to the south of France, where you can walk down the promenade with your neck tie on, lol.

[@marciahighsmith4820]

As another tall (5 10.5) I understand about the frustration with short long sleeves.

[@portiawrites]

This was such a helpful review! I just started working on this pattern yesterday, and now I wish I'd waited to see this video so I could have extended my sleeves! 🤣

[@lavadajenkins2955]

Happy New Year! The dress is beautiful. Thanks for telling us about it, I just may need to give it a try!

[@VariationsOnASeam]

We're about the same height and your sleeve saga is a familiar one. 😂

[@colettelee3391]

Wonderful review, Rachel I am 5 foot and 4 widths around bottom tier seems huge, do you think I would get away with doing 3 for the bottom tier ?

[@kazzie5114]

Really nice dress. I am with you on the ‘confidant’ thing as my starting point on those types of errors is that if they couldn’t do a basic check what else is wrong? But that said a great pattern which you have brought to life beautifully.