Making the Jo March Dress (Sewing Tutorial)

[@cerwelt]

I was like you in youth doing things last minute. Today at almost 67 I enjoy tailoring more than simply making. Tailoring takes time and precision. Your exuberance is infectious. I rarely sew these days, but I do crochet, embroider and weave. If I sew it’s for a gift for hubby. I make him a certain short sleeved shirt in fun patterned fabric. I’ve made him a dog shirt, a cat shirt and a chicken in the farmyard patterned shirt. He loves the attention those shirts give him. I need to make him a skunk shirt. He LOVES critters. We have three dogs, six cats, 20 chickens and he rescued a mama skunk and her babies one at a time. He drove them to a shaded place in the country. There is a bridge, trees and water. He actually caught them one at a time in a live trap, the. Drove them to the bridge. It’s about a forty five minute drive. The first skunk was in the back of the pickup. The last four were inside the cab of the pickup. He felt bad they might be scared! The skunks never sprayed him. I call him Noah Doolittle. My proudest make was a blanket. It was done in entrelac crochet in rainbow colors. I taught myself the type of crocheting and then using whichever color I had in my stash, built it in the round. It’s soooo beautiful and I love looking at it. As far as sewing makes, I made my daughter a Cinderella styled dress. Her father took her on her first date, just the two of them. It was of turquoise taffeta.

[@felinetherapy4782]

I don't think many people could make this dress in a day which includes patchworking all the fabric and making a tulle pedicoat (all that gathering!). Looks amazing.

[@fromcarlyb]

aw that's so sweet - if it helps, I have never sewn so fast in my life!! hahaha !!

[@ruth8461]

Proudest make- my wedding dress 100%

[@LudaNYC]

Proudest ever was honestly the first time I managed to make a dress from scratch that was actually wearable. The feeling of accomplishment was like nothing else! 😊

[@fromcarlyb]

THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLDDDDDD!!!!!!!

[@doubleomidge]

I'm obsessed with the sleeves on your shirt! Do you have a video on that?

[@GaliadelaRosa]

"4 meters of circunference is the perfect amount of dramatic" , i was undecided in the circunference of a plaid skirt i am making but that bit was pretty convincing, i will try those 4 meters

[@allyncollins359]

One of my proudest makes....a replica 12th century black wool greatcoat, with hand embroidered cuffs and pocket flaps.

[@goodvolks2know372]

I swear this was the cuties video/tutorial I've seen. Your description, your grins and giggles are adorable. The dress looked very nice on you.

[@wileycovington4497]

A lot of people have never read Little Women and don't know who Jo March was. I'm excited for this dress.

[@fromcarlyb]

Little Women fans unite!!!!

[@Kitty4Catz]

@@fromcarlybJo March! Jo March! ❤❤ Also, that dress is so cute!!! ❤

[@hysteric-and-hysterical]

I wish I wore more dresses! This is so adorable and professional looking! I mostly make rugs but recently I made a fashion corset by hand and it’s made me more interested in hand sewing!

[@fromcarlyb]

They can be so nice! Oh that's so cool - rug making is sick. Also by hand - SO TALENTED!!!

[@briannakyse5167]

My favourite thing I've ever made was a dirndl-style green checkered dress. It was the third dress I made and it became my favourite thing in my closet. In regards to your video, the Jo March dress reminded me of a patchwork, multi-shaded orange dress that I loved and wore to shreds when I was 8-10 years old and now I kind of want to make one for my 23-year-old self. Mine had a sash that tied in a big bow, which I imagine would be an easy addition to what you demonstrated. Thank you for another positive video!

[@fromcarlyb]

That sounds so gorgeous!!! So talented. And I love that so much!! It's the best feeling making clothes as an adult that you loved wearing as a kid!

[@saranovaa]

I’m 31 and have just begun to teach myself to sew. First sewing machine and everything. I made knit dress that has a lot of imperfections but I’m so happy with it and how it turned out overall 😊👗 This was a fun video to watch, I can’t imagine doing all that in a day! 😅

[@fromcarlyb]

Oh that is SO exciting. You're amazing!! I hope your journey with sewing is a joyous & rewarding one.

[@tricia2701]

My favorite item ,I made, is a flannel bathrobe with princess seams and a shaw collar. So cozy!

[@shellylemons]

You are a very talented person to be able to explain how to sew a dress so precisely. I love the style. Tip!! Always allow room for error. Lol

[@fromcarlyb]

hahah love the room for error!! Also thank you!

[@caratoffel7968]

Wow! That dress is absolutely beautiful! My favourite item I ever made is a little flag with a red panda hanging from a tree branch with 3D-leaves and a lot of small details like the face for my kids at the scouts. I've never done something like this before and it took me a week and a lot of tries to figure it out, but I am so proud of the result!

[@fromcarlyb]

Aw thank you so much!! AWH that sounds sooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!

[@SauronsAccntnt]

Wowwwww I love it. The touches of satin, the fluffy sweet tulle petticoat, all of it! Thank you so much for sharing this video!

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you so much!!!

[@timstein8045]

I love this dress, thanks for explaining how you drafted the bodice. The thing I have made that I am most proud of is a nightshirt I made this year following a vintage 1940s pattern.

[@fromcarlyb]

Of course! I hope it helped. And that sounds SO CUTE!!!

[@beebedoe]

holy crap the pink glasses have my whole heart

[@fromcarlyb]

heheheh they're so big, i can see EVERYTHING!!!

[@TeaCupCracked]

My proudest make ever was taking a dress I already owned and adding an "Edwardian" or "Victorian" (popular with the Gibson Girl look, so sort of in between the two eras) skirt hem. Basically I cut off 4+ inches (made sure it was even, but I forgot how much exactly) And then sewed that entire chunk immediately back onto the newly-cut hem, flipped it up and secured it with one main row of stitching and then another row to make sure it was really "locked" in place. It totally changed how the skirt draped (it's a very thin denim and the old thin hem use to flip up and wrinkle a lot) and made the gathered material up at the waist band hang straighter. The initial goal was just to shorted the hem of the dress to work better for me, but by taking the time to do an unusual hem finish it made the entire piece just sit better on the body. I'd recommend trying it on medium-light (not light, not medium; that middle zone) solid pieces of fabric or on solid/patchwork lightweight but then in that case cut the hem piece from a solid (or out of big pieced chunks / minimal seams) piece of fabric so that things don't get too complicated (like how the lining of your dress bodice was not patchwork and instead just solid pieces). Then after sewing it on, flipping it over and sewing the top of the hem down to the inside of the dress/skirt (only fold under once since it will be sandwiched), I'd advise giving it a good iron BEFORE doing that top seam to make it really, really flat and smooth and then again afterwards before trying it on to see how/if it bubbles. I've found that sometimes one, two or three extra carefully spaced rows of just a basic top stitch (on the right side) helps secure it, but where those should be seems dependent on how the fabric "reacts" to the weight of the wide hem. The only downside of this method is the hem isn't a twirly / poofy / bouncy, but it gives a lot of "body" and sturdiness to the look instead. I've never tried this on a knit, only wovens, but I found the hem piece can be a lighter material then the skirt/dress fabric, but should NEVER be heavier then the main fabric; either the same weight or lighter. It also should be either the same weave "tightness" or can be "tighter" but the weave shouldn't be looser then the main material of the dress/skirt.

[@fromcarlyb]

Sounds like you worked so hard!!!! You should be so proud!!

[@shiyardiagariepy]

Totally impressed you did all that patchwork! I usually take so many days when i make patchwork fabric cause i zigzag the seams too so when I cut it later I don't have pulling seams. Well done!!!

[@Thatsinteresting363]

How absolutely ADORABLE is this?!?! Luv luv luv💜

[@fromcarlyb]

[@carmenponcedeleon2693]

Fabulous dress! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!😊❤

[@leahholland6272]

Best make ever: first kilt i made on my own.

[@fromcarlyb]

SO GOOD

[@lean3HisBeloved]

My proudest and most creative sewing project was making my own wedding dress 4 months ago❤❤❤😊

[@fromcarlyb]

that is INCREDIBLE!!! was it stressful!?

[@fromcarlyb]

HIYA!!!! Let's hear it! What's your proudest project you've ever made! I want to hear y'all boasting in the comment section!! My proudest make so far is my fairy wedding dress I think... but my patchwork jeans might come in at a close second!!

[@umiyainteriors2579]

you are look a like ariana grande ... very cute

[@kendelleking8337]

This video was on my recommended for months and I finally got a chance to watch it. I love this style and the colours and patterns on the patchwork are fabulous! I wish I could sew! I even bought a Singer Start back in early 2020 (expecting to be furloughed but all the other departments for furloughed and we just got their workload to do instead....lol) but this machine is of Satan and is so awful to use that it put me off until I can get a better machine. My best sewing make was probably when I made a topponcino for my baby. I did a lot of research on fabrics and self-drafted the shape and hand sewed 6 layers of cotton wadding with muslin to make the pillow base and then created a kind of pillow case to fit over it. The sewing machine was so frustrating that I only ever made 2 covers and now I have a bunch of kiddy fabrics just sitting unused! I'll definitely come back to this pattern if and when I get a new machine! Brother or Janome please have a good sale soon!!

[@fromcarlyb]

Aw thank you for watching & leaving such a lovely comment!! Noooooo i'm sorry the machine is so annoying!!! I hope you can get your dream one soon. Also your best sewing make sounds so thoughtful & sweet!!

[@christinefollowerofchrist1532]

I actually watched this on silent. I gotta say that your smile and enthusiasm got to me without even hearing what you were saying! Great job on a very nicely done dress! 👏

[@fromcarlyb]

Aw that is the loveliest comment!!! Thank you for watching & sending lots of love.

[@lonnielove8452]

I just finished a 3 ft x 3 ft painting for my sister. It's the largest painting I've done so far and she loves it! It took me like 6 months but I finally finished it and I'm very proud of myself!

[@fromcarlyb]

!!!! That sounds so beautiful & special. What an amazing sister you are!!!

[@lonnielove8452]

@@fromcarlyb Awww thank you! You're a very talented seamstress 😊 I love how unique your pieces are and each one is clearly made with love 🥰

[@twinnish]

Very pretty! It’s way too young for me, but it’s very charming and I love it. I made a dress to go to my sisters wedding, and I had pneumonia and bronchitis at the time (and for some reason I thought it was a good idea to go to the wedding,) but I was getting better by then . Anyway, it had boning, it had off the shoulder sleeves and a zipper. There was a lot of things that I was not comfortable with doing, but I did them with pneumonia and bronchitis and then at the very last minute I was called upon to be the matron of honor because of a wedding party issue, and so I had to wear it as maid of honor instead of guest as I had planned. I wasn’t proud of it then other than just finishing it. I was proud of it last year when I was talking to my sister and telling her about how it pushed me as regard my sewing skill level and she said “I didn’t know you made that dress it was so pretty.” I had felt so self-conscious about the dress for almost 30 years now and all she could remember was how pretty it was. She wasn’t picking on all the things I knew were wrong. She just remembered that it was pretty and that’s the proudest I’ve ever been of anything I made. I have no idea what happened to the dress. Honestly by the time the wedding was over I was pretty much over the dress.

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you so much!! Aw no that sounds so rough! But it's so special that feeling of being proud of your creation!

[@maegardnermills4292]

Absolutely adorable and very comfortable. ❤

[@fromcarlyb]

so comfy!!!

[@kimberleyo4419]

My favorite thing I have made so far is my tailored jacket with my own printed teddy bear lining ❤. Also love your videos they are so helpful and such a great vibe.

[@fromcarlyb]

OH that sounds super cool!!!!

[@lonnielove8452]

it's such a cute and pretty dress!

[@thinkuthink]

The best thing Ive made thus far is a self drafted hooded cape thing out of denim! Amazing tutorial! Im new here, so grateful to have found you!!

[@fromcarlyb]

That sounds EPIC!!!!

[@thinkuthink]

@@fromcarlyb It's lined with the busiest fabric you could imagine 😆 Was so much fun to make! If you ever do a meet and greet, perhaps you'll get to see it✨😁 Thanks for being awesome, I love your videos! ❤️

[@bowerbirdstyle7661]

Gorgeous dress! You are so speedy! My fav make is a white shirt with pintucks and insertion lace - all stitched by hand.

[@chrishubbard5073]

Hmmm, I have been sewing for 50 years but the adult size Belle dress with a lace bodice, hand stitched beaded roses and tear drop beads coming off the shoulder piece is my current favorite. My most successful thrifted dress is Rapunzel made from an old formal, pink curtains and scrapes of lace etc that I had. Keep sewing all you young ppl.

[@fromcarlyb]

!!!!!!!! WOAH. that sounds amazing!!!!

[@AnotherChapter23]

Hello Carly, Your enthusiasm is contagious and I love your videos, keep going you're a natural!

[@fromcarlyb]

Aw thank you so much!!!

[@hippiecrowhub]

This dress is adorable! I love it!

[@fromcarlyb]

thank you so much mate!!

[@rachelquezada1977]

I just want to say I am so happy I found ur channel everything you make is exactly the style I’m going for to make my own clothes and I could never find the right vids to make them so thank you for ur hard work and sharing it with others ❤🥹

[@pegturner6748]

I really like the shirt you're wearing. The dress is beautiful!!!

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you!! I make them for my store online!

[@camilamortari452]

1st, I LOVE your hair! and your style in general! Girl you rock!!! 2nd! The dress is lovely! Thanks for sharing it! 😃🥰

[@tara1638]

You’re adorable and super talented! Also loved the shirt/dress you Wore in the video!❤

[@CrownedLily]

I'm currently working on a maxi, tiered gathered dress with a shirred bodice that I think will be my favorite make once I finish it. Just need to hem it, and finish the seams (I like to use bias tape, takes longer but I just really like it) and it's done.

[@fromcarlyb]

That sounds delightful!!! I hope all the final touches go well!!

[@nitighelani5622]

Thank you so very much for this dress pattern & making of it. 🙏🏼

[@MelzoA.]

You are simply the cutest! ❤ great video! ❤❤❤

[@dianeanderson8038]

Very cool dress! You look delightful in it. My favorite dress was my wedding dress--ecru silk, tea length, trimmed with double embroidered 4 inch wide lace in the style of Princess Diana's wedding dress. Just found it the other day and remembered that I had to be sewn into it at the last minute. Cheers!

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you so much!!! Oh wow.... that sounds simply incredible. You must have felt so special!!

[@franckelatter9829]

Love your sewing of this dress! And the petticoat! You have done so well!

[@maianichole]

Carly! I absolutely adore you, everything you make, every video you put up! I literally opened KZbin with the intention of searching for a dress tutorial as I just got a bunch of lovely fabric, and I have died over the Jo March dress since you posted about it the first time!! I cannot wait to try one out for myself ❤️❤️❤️

[@fromcarlyb]

AWH this is so lovely!!! Thank you for watching & taking the time to comment too!! I hope it goes so well if you decide to make one for yourself!!

[@lilyrees6501]

this is such a cute dress! it turned out so good:)

[@fromcarlyb]

thank you so much friend

[@Nkoto]

Thanks for this wonderful video ❤ My favorite make so far is a winter coat that I sewed out of an old sleeping bag. The sleeping bags outer fabric was in a very bad shape so I used a second hand wool fabric to substitute it an I love it so much. It is so cuddly and I finished a lot by hand in and outside 😊

[@fromcarlyb]

Ohhhhh that sounds so warm & lovely. What a great idea!!! And the hand finishes - so good.

[@melissaproulx6955]

This is so cool! The dress is beautiful! I love that some of the patches are an iridescent fabric! Also thank you for explaining that you backstitch on the seams of the patchwork that seem loose after cutting out the pattern pieces- I've always wondered about that!

[@kaBLAMinc]

this dress is amazing!!!! you did such a great job of explaining and the end result is gooooorg !!

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you so much & I'm glad you enjoyed the vid

[@TeaAndCroissants]

wait! 😯 I cannot wrap my head around that burrito method and I'm so excited to try it!!!!

[@victoriafrances2432]

You have the world's Best Dimples!!!

[@atyrah7284]

love ittt!! I defenitely going to try to make it! my favourite make so far was the shirt that I make for my dad 🥰

[@fromcarlyb]

yay! i hope it goes so well!!! and also - that is so wholesome & lovely

[@maryann1187]

To stabilize the neck line, just do some stay-stitching all around, and that will also keep your seams intact.

[@fromcarlyb]

love it!!

[@frankdearr2772]

Nice tuto, thanks for sharing your skills 👍

[@fromcarlyb]

Thanks for watching!

[@lindarosenthal6835]

So cute. Well done.

[@fromcarlyb]

thank you so much!!

[@saraquilt]

thanks for this video. It's the first of yours I watch. I like your style! so fresh! and that dress is like a princess dress but... with a modern vibe! If you ask what I'm most proud of: my first pair of jeans. I could not believe I could make them. They are quiet a niche in the sewing world

[@fromcarlyb]

Thanks for watching!! And for your lovely comment.

[@Wildflowerkat]

I loveddd this dress what a dream! I’m completely new to sewing and I’ve only made a little slip for under a dress and it’s not much but I am really proud that I was even able to make it lol so I guess that’s what I’m proudest of so far!

[@fromcarlyb]

aw thank you so much!!! that sounds so great!! you're crushing it!!

[@patternpouchnest9529]

Haya. Such a beautiful dreamy dress 🤩I adore making patchwork dresses, I have more to create that are waiting on my "to make" list 😀Thanku 'sew' much for sharing. Ana 🪡✂🧵🙂x

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you so much!! They are so adorable hey! Take care!

[@victoriabrumfield2270]

really helpful , thank u for taking the time to make this , making a dress for my plushie

[@ShaniaShania]

you did suuuch a great job!! I enjoyed watching your process ✨💕

[@ellensetchkopalmerlee6481]

Hi Carly, 💖 Your videos are the best! I can’t wait to try making this dress! It is such a sweet one! Proudest make would probably be the very first dress I ever made in high school - it had a fitted bodice, zipper, and a full lining. I took my time with it and it came out perfect! 😮🥰

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you friend!!! Oh that sounds so good!!!

[@joshhoman]

Very pretty!!!

[@sofiasewplay]

Fantastic, I love it. 👏🏽

[@fromcarlyb]

thank you so much!!

[@aingaeltummers]

This is my first time watching you. I've subscribed. This make was adorable....I'm already drafting an altered version lol. My proudest make? Took me 3 months. Red and black houndstooth wool, black satin lining. Butterick 6253. I'm on my third winter with this coat. It's warm. Comfy. And cute as the dickens!

[@leahquispe4569]

I like the outline of the dress and how trapeze like it is, don't want to patchwork though !

[@fromcarlyb]

The patchworking is totally an unnecessary labour of love!!

[@vickipatridge5094]

Beautiful dress

[@lizzisworld7667]

You could use the overlocker to gather the skirt. ❤

[@sneakerlove5313]

Absolutely beautiful 😮

[@Lindabean1000]

lovely fabric and dress

[@tealcuff7535]

Hey Carly, I’m just about to make this dress !! I was wondering if your patron had more details about the measurements for the bodice?!

[@GAPsworld]

Beautiful dress❤❤❤❤

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you so much!

[@annadayl]

It's funny how your one line of Year 3000 made me go down the memory lane here on youtube xD

[@fromcarlyb]

HAHAHAHAH love that

[@sewaldodiy]

Cute dress!

[@fromcarlyb]

thank you!!!!!

[@pamfrank3962]

Gorgeous 😍

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you!

[@ladonnawashington1643]

Well done, Sis! Proudest make? I made a dress from my then boyfriend’s pants with the waist as the neckline. It was a smash hit!

[@fromcarlyb]

THAT IS GENIUS!!!

[@janaswanson]

Girl how did you patchwork in a day I have to know😂 looks so great!!

[@fromcarlyb]

I WAS STRESSED hahahah

[@cinnamongirrl1705]

Beautiful 🎉

[@heavenlyenterpriseintl1127]

Well done!!🎉 Thsnk You

[@eblake3617]

I read somwhere, for sewing toule, using a rolled edge on the overlock works best? Maybe a good experiment video?

[@brendenegri8491]

soooo cuteee

[@ForeverLuminous]

Adorable!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Its darling! 🎉

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you!!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

@@fromcarlyb you are welcome 🐛🦋

[@aprilm9551]

What a wonderful and inspiring creation! Thank you for sharing. I'm intrigued with your "burrito" method used on the bodice and want to try this but can't quite work out what you're doing. I've rewatched that part and still don't get it. Can you explain more how you do this?

[@fromcarlyb]

Thank you so much!! The burrito method is super cool, it might be worth having a youtube search for a specific video detailing the process... there are some good videos out there!

[@miarazali8713]

So cute 😍

[@eloisafroes]

i love everything you make! BUT i am specially interested in the dress/shirt you are wearing, so cool, is it a taylor dorry or is it handmade? teach us how to make it pleaaaase!

[@fromcarlyb]

It is handmade but absolutely inspired by Taylor Dorry!! I was just trying to upcycle about 15 t shirts that I have left over from a project that didn't sell as well as I hoped!!

[@Yogeshvlog1437]

Hi how are you nice video my dear friend ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@sarahhardy6722]

Can you go in depth more about adding darts :) I’m a beginner and wanted to know more about bust darts. Attempting to make this from a quilting curtain fabric I got from an op shop. Any help would be appreciated!

[@cristinaferrari8990]

I love your work and you inspired me to create my own vintage patchwork Mexican dress. ❤ How can I send you a picture of it?

[@loliada]

this is SO gorgeous! would you ever sell patterns?

[@JackRabbitLondon]

She does. Including this dress. It should be on her website ❤

[@loliada]

@@JackRabbitLondon ohhh i looked on her website first and couldnt find any patterns!! ill check again haha 😭

[@fromcarlyb]

The closest thing I have to patterns are my detailed pattern breakdowns/sewing logs I post monthly on Patreon

[@sandrasews3765]

Do you have a pattern? I love it

[@oviliatam7540]

謝謝~❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@susansharp112]

adorable

[@maryoaks3228]

❤❤❤

[@Karolina-vy7sn]

Can you give me printable pattern?

[@kimcase9]

ok I am making one now.. that lil top you are wearing do you have a video?

[@fromcarlyb]

have fun!!!

[@ravenclaw2898]

What fabric did you use for the bodice and skirt?

[@thecuppycake123]

Do you think you could make this dress with a tie back on the top part of the dress?!

[@khyata-b2u]

جيد