Pattern Review: Chalk & Notch Shay Dress | Collab with Jess

[@lynnelyons5171]

Don’t know how I missed this vlog. The dress really looks fabulous on you. I’m with you on gathering - I hate it with a passion! 😂💕

[@louiseroberts9553]

Tamlyn the dress is beautiful on you !

[@denisesmith7201]

Your dress is beautiful, I think taking the fabric from the front seam has helped bring the princess seams where they belong. It certainly does not look too big on you 👍👏

[@rachellynncreates2703]

That fabric is perfect for that dress! I tend to make my linings first. That way it’s kinda like making a muslin but it’s usable.

[@jonelder1204]

Your dress is absolutely lovely and the looser fit will be perfect on a really hot day. I agree about gathering - it is boring and, no matter how much time I take over it, never looks quite as even as I'd like.

[@SewnontheTyne]

So true! I think it's the one sewing task I would consider actually paying someone else to do for me! Haha. Thanks so much - that's a great point about the looser fit x

[@carlamccabe9638]

You’re Shay dress is gorgeous! After seeing yours, I want to make one. I really love gathered panels, but they are tricky. I need to practice using my serger for gathering. I think gathering is less frustrating once you have practiced that method some.

[@komalshah2321]

The dress looks beautiful! ❤ Thanks for sharing that it has a lot of gathers - not my favourite sewing task either!

[@SistasofStitchcraft]

Going rogue paid off. It's beautiful on you. We hope Taylor had the best birthday 🎊🎂🎁🎂🎊

[@marybethhuber1541]

Since you have some extra room in the top, maybe try it with a long sleeve t shirt underneath in black or pink? That would be very cute for fall

[@debbiecarter6430]

I love it Tamlyn and that extra space will allow for a black longer sleeved t-shirt or Elysian body suit underneath on cooler days. Happy big 4th birthday to Taylor. Hope he has a great day. ❤xx

[@SewnontheTyne]

Ooh now that's a great idea. I'll have to try it. All days are cool here, so it could be needed! haha. Thank you so much for Taylor's birthday wishes. He was very excited this morning xx

[@SueTownson]

I love this dress on you - the style is beautiful. It's fitted but voluminous -quite "feminine" without being too much. I would put a huge black sweater over it and thick black tights for the winter with boots and maybe a long sleeved thermal top underneath for additional warmth. You can take that strength of colour. You make a lot of lovely clothes and this is stunning. I find gathering an activity I associate with time and contemplation. If I rush it I hate it. I like to just divide the task up and take it a stage at a time while thinking about other things. It just has to be straight and even and hold fast but allow movement... so once you get into the zone it's quite therapeutic - you get a rhythm... I think I find collars most challenging.

[@laurajones4088]

Whilst the fit is looser than you prefer, you look lovely in your beautiful Shay dress. I’ve been sewing for many years and don’t make muslins. If I’m unsure of the fit of a garment, I will machine baste the seams and try it on inside out. Then I’ll use pins to make adjustments, mark the new seams and then baste/ try on again or if I’m confident, sew with regular stitch length. It’s a bit time consuming, but worth the effort for more involved projects. Happy sewing, Tamlyn and happy birthday to your little boy!

[@TheFrenchSeams_vlog]

I think this dress looks really great! The fabric is so pretty! I think it would work with a T-shirt under? Bit of a shame it’s tricky to fit the bodice though… but well done for persevering!!

[@estilobyelizabeth]

The dress looks so lovely on you, despite the bodice being a bit looser than you would like! It's great that you took a risk and I appreciate your honesty and this being a one and done kind of dress - not every pattern is going to be made more than once. I'm with you about choosing simpler projects over more involved makes, but it is nice to have those in the rotation every now and then... But sometimes they can languish in a WIP pile 😬 also those buttons are amazing!

[@SoWhatIfISew]

Absolutely love your version, that fabric is stunning, and I totally agree about fitting the bodice! This one was really awkward to see how the bodice was going to fit before it all came together, I definitely had issues with torso length! Love your solution for it though! Thank you again for collaborating with me Tamlyn ❤

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you so much! Your dress is stunning too. I caught up with your video this morning. Always a pleasure collaborating with you Jess xx

[@glorywipfli247]

I love this dress on you! Gorgeous!!!

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thanks so much x

[@BarbaraParkin]

The dress looks lovely on you, the fabric colours really suits you and it would look great with a little tee-shirt underneath

[@alisonwilliams3806]

The dress looks super on you, well done.😊

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you! 😊 x

[@annesullivan1171]

The dress is beautiful on you. It isn't blaringly noticeable that it's a bit looser than what you would like it to be. I'd wear it for sure ❤

[@barbfilion5646]

The dress is beautiful on you, I love the pops of color...yes to the more fitted bodice as is your normal likes. I love the little top hanging out on the mannequin as well.

[@KarenScott6]

That looks beautiful. I have that fabric and that is a fantastic use for it. I made, what was supposed to be a wearable toile out of another SHJ fabric with just one tier for the skirt. I did an FBA and it was too large. I then made the proper version in a Fabric Godmother fabric. It is beautiful but the shoulders are too loose. I agree with you about not needing another dress like that in my wardrobe. It doesn't feel like a day dress to me. I wore it at a garden party.

[@foxeymoore]

Your dress looks beautiful Tamlyn, great pairing of buttons and fabric.😍

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you - yes the buttons are just perfect! x

[@chrissycrompton7585]

I love your dress Tamlyn. I love your rogue adjustment!😊 I would likely go rogue too. 😂 I love this design, and feel inspired to try this version. Also, I love your choice of buttons. They're perfect for that fabric 👌 Thanks for another great vlog. 😊

[@sandralowe2874]

It’s gorgeous and yes I have done rouge things 🤦‍♀️ but sometimes it works out but some I made a pigs ear of it 😂

[@india1422]

I just made 3 toiles of the Nell bodice. I had to downsize,lower the dart and do a Full Bust Adjustment. I feel like a pattern designer now!! Well, the reality is I've never done this before and it was very stressful. But when the effort.

[@cynthialindsley5117]

Very pretty make, good color and style for you. We all go rogue, though don't admit it. Good job!

[@ritaadler-everett5392]

Tamlyn, the dress is so lovely and flattering, even if it's a bit roomy. I have the same fabric and I can't wait to use it but just haven't found anything special enough. My son turned 27 this year, but I remember his 4th birthday like it was yesterday. He invited his pre-school class for an afternoon bowling party. It was hilarious as these tiny tots rolled the balls down the lane to the pins. Enjoy every second of it and get lots of pictures and video of you with Taylor. 🎂🎈

[@debsmadethis]

Well done for getting your Shay sewn. Sometimes I sew the lining if it has it one and baste that up as a toile.Hope Taylor has a fab birthday!

[@sheilaholter4489]

I think this is just beautiful, and as always, you look amazing in it!

[@barbarawarner4645]

Fitting is one of the most important aspects of sewing. There are always more than one approach to the challenge. Bravo! You picked an easy one and it worked. Your dress is beautiful and dare I say “far better than ready to wear”. I also rarely do a muslin. But I always make a pattern more than once. Make this one again. It’s sophisticated and pretty at the same time. The extra work shows. However, I understand that due to your weather it won’t get much wear. 😢

[@catemccoy2974]

You look so good in your Shay dress, well done!

[@india1422]

When i was diagnosed with cancer my hands bought me my Bernina dream machine. On it i can adjust the width of the gap within the buttonhole which is fantastic

[@cherrybrook140861]

it looks beautiful on you!

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you xx

[@janice-aztowy]

It’s beautiful Tamlyn! It looks stunning on you!

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you so much!! x

[@michellehurrell4274]

Beautiful!

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you! xx

[@SewMyTime]

LOL re slicing the front!! Yep, do things like that quite often 😂😂😂. I have just finished the Southport which is similar. I love the dress but made it too big. I was so worried about it being too small in the bodice I didn’t even consider that it would be big🙈. Your dress looks so good on you and I love the low back. With you all the way on the gathering. I do it by hand now and treat it as “relaxing” which helps a bit. Happy Sewing 😊. Lynne

[@lynnwest3296]

Gorgeous Tamlyn!! Well done on the rogue adjustments looked like they worked a treat. I tried gathering on my overlocker yesterday, it’s a game changer (but it was only for one of Alice’s dresses so maybe not much help for something with as many gathers as the Shay) xx

[@theyorkshiresewgirl]

Well I think you knocked it out of the park! It looks absolutely beautiful on you ❤

[@SewnontheTyne]

Aww thank you gorgeous lady xxx

[@Nikicowhead]

Your version of the dress is stunning! You look amazing in it. That fabric is gorgeous 🙂

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you so much! Such kind words. Yeah the fabric is a real stunner x

[@jwhitty8172]

Your dress is beautiful. Looks wonderful on you.

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you so much xx

[@suebrown5500]

Love your version of this dress especially in that beautiful fabric. I made a version with the puff sleeves in a navy and white gingham seersucker. It makes me look like a waitress at a beer festival!! Wrong fabric entirely and wrong style! Seeing your sleeveless version has inspired me to try again with a viscose. Yours is fab❤️👌👍 xxx p.s. I couldn’t fault the instructions or the final result - just my choices Xxx

[@marathorne6821]

This is a pattern I'm hugely inspired by, although I don't own a copy, as I draft my own patterns nowadays. To address the extra volume in the bodice, if you are happy to unpick it, you could adjust the front darts. Actually I think they're princess seams. They seem to sit pretty well in the right place over the apex. So I suggest you might take out, say, no more than half an inch on each of the front princess seams. You should also take out a similar amount from the back darts to maintain the balance between the front and the back. I also think the waist seam is a tad higher at the front than at the back. You might want to raise the waist from the side seams towards the centre back by about an inch? That's what I would do, anyway. It's too pretty to be dissatisfied with it... If you want to make any dress that fits snugly, toile the bodice, try it on inside out, pin any adjustments onto the toile, transfer the adjustments (if any) to the paper pattern, and then make the actual garment 😊 Yes, it takes a bit more time, but it will save disappointment with the finished garment 😊

[@marnieskuse2399]

Love it Tamlyn x 💕💕

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you x

[@SEWDOITEMMA]

Love your version, it’s turned out so beautifully and you really suit it! I honestly don’t do many toiles but hearing you recommend it for this pattern will make me note it for when I come to doing it! 😂 my hands hate gathering as it now get carpal tunnel but I love the effect it gives - I can’t win!

[@joangilmore3598]

Your dress is lovely Tamlyn, you,ve inspired me to make it. Also like the top on your manikin, I have similar double gauze.😌x

[@ThatRomyKate]

Such a lovely dress! Bet it feels lovely on a hot day ❤ would look really cute layered over a tshirt too

[@SistasofStitchcraft]

Maybe in a few years time you will feel like you can return to this pattern, you know, when life is slightly less busy. You never know 💜

[@christinesmoothy7780]

I think it’s beautiful

[@SewnontheTyne]

Thank you x

[@julialongmore8748]

Love the dress. Perfect matched buttons. Is there an option to not have the back as low scooped.

[@christineross1975]

I find some buttons are thicker, so the holes are the right length, but the buttons are hard to push through 🤔

[@sueb4919]

Your button placket solution sounds absolutely normal to me!

[@SewnontheTyne]

Ahh that's good to know! Thought I was being a bit slapdash, haha x

[@india1422]

Honestly, I think the fit looks great. I can see that you could make it more fitted but I really don't think that it should trouble you ( but of course you are the one who needs to be happy with it). I've got a bit of a Pigeon Wishes button problem

[@teruldacz]

Well making a toile takes like 30 mins. Get basic muslin, rotary cut it out. Sew it with random thread and long stitches so you can take it apart easily to fix the fit. I use basic beige muslin fabric and pilot pens so I just draw the changes needed on myself. It's always worth it to check the fit. I'm very curvy so it's necessary to make it fit. Don't rush it and do the fitting. It doesn't take that long.

[@leepayk-bann3489]

I sewed a tailored jacket I thought it was too big, slimmed the side seams and the back centre seam but had to take it out as the structure was better with the original make seam lines. The buttonholes were the most important factor.

[@chlomo2618]

For future reference, you could measure the distance between the lines for the size 10 and the 8, and add that to the seam allowance. Say there's 0.5cm between the lines indicating the two sizes, and the seam allowance is 1.5cm, then sew with a 2cm seam allowance to sew it up nearer to a size 8.

[@helenhamilton9473]

I don't like sewing testers - I always closely pin a bodice together to try on - my mum was a fantastic sewer and always did this on me to test for fit. Problem is the pins can prick you! Your dress does looks lovely on you. The fit looks good across your shoulders after your adjustment so it worked!

[@lynnfrench4969]

❤

[@lindaboby6007]

Great vlog as always love the dress and the pattern. If you want to sell the pattern on I would be interested. I am a size 8 ❤❤❤

[@jennyturner6399]

💙🧶🌈🍓

[@annsheldrake3554]

I love your dress and the fit looks comfortable. Too much tighter, it could chafe.