Geez, Trice another post? I must be on something, right? The day has finally come. I get to share with all of you another secret project.
Enters Lolita Patterns‘ Sugar Plum. I was one of the lucky women to be a pattern tester for their new Sugar Plum dress. I love clothing that are mixed with woven and knit fabric, so I was very much looking forward to making this dress. Early June, a request for testers were sent out and I hopped on right away to be a tester. I knew this dress would be perfect for my work wardrobe.
Sugar Plum is a dress that looks like a shirt tucked in, how awesome is that! Plus there are ruffles. Despite the fact that I am a tomboy at heart, I love me some ruffles. However, due to time and my skill level, I decided to go with View B. I have never mixed woven and knit fabric before, or made a rolled edge hem with my serger (yay, to new skills aquired), plus I was not sure if I had enough fabric. So yeah, no front ruffles. I used fabric already in my stash for this pattern, the only thing I purchased were the buttons. Go me!

I definitely knew I was not going to get away with making this pattern without making a muslin. I would like to note that I did not do a FBA for this pattern and the only changes I made to it, was adding 5/8″ to the front and back side seams after the side notches. Next time I will definitely do a FBA using a size 10. While I am at it, I will probably throw in a forward shoulder. I am pretty happy with the fit in the back, except for one part which I will go into later.
Did you notice? This dress comes with pockets, who does not love pockets? I walked around all day with my hands in my pockets, most of the pictures in the photo shoot has me with my hands in my pockets. I was supposed to line it with the lining fabric, but I decided that I wanted to use the contrast fabric (skirt fabric) as my pocket fabric.

So like I said earlier, most of the fabric and notions I used to make this dress I had already in my stash. Yes, I so happened to have a 22 inch zipper, yeah I don’t know how that happened. The only thing I had to buy was the buttons, which I love. They are a pearl-like button, wish works perfect for this dress (sorry for the lack of close-up). The fabric I used for the top half is the same I used for the Sorbetto Top. I think its a poly silk. The contrast/skirt fabric is a double knit that I have tons of.

Despite the fact that this dress looks great on my curves, there is a little bit of an horror story that goes along with it. You see, the back is supposed to have an invisible zipper, but the zipper is not that invisible, especially in the contrast skirt. The reason being… I am actually hand-sewn into this dress. My invisible zipper foot gets so close that at times it stitches into the teeth and that’s what happened and I broke the zipper. During the day the little spot that would not zip just got worst and since I needed to take pictures of the dress, I could not hide my exposed back behind a hoodie, so I had my coworker sew me in since we could not fix the problem. I know, complete Face Palm, but doesn’t this dress look great on me?
I know I should take the zipper out and re-install a new invisible zipper. However, I am lazy and scared to remove a zipper since it is fully lined and the fabric is delicate. We shall see, it would be a shame not to wore the dress again.
Lolita Patterns will be having a sew-a-long for the Sugar Plum dress at the end of the month, Everyone should check it out. I know I will be following along.
I want to thank Lolita Patterns for giving me the opportunity to test this lovely dress. One of the things I love about Lolita Patterns is their sizing. These L.A. Pattern Companies (Lolita Patterns and Christine Haynes) are stalking me, I am convince. 😉 The size is on point with my own measurements, give or take what I might eat on a given day. Lolita Patterns also has two size range (2-14) then (16-24) and they are not just using the same block for the larger size. This is really smart. There is a brilliant post about it here.
Now go and purchase your own Sugar Plum pattern, here. Especially since they are having at 15% sale (on physical patterns) until Oct 10 PST. Sale code is sugar15plum

Gorgeous! Gah! I’m dying over here – you look totally killer in this (and so business-like!) I’m sorry about the zipper though! My invisible zipper foot does that too – drives me crazy!
Thanks Sallie
It sucks too, because I brought the special foot and not the generic foot for invisible zippers. Luckily, my heavy metal machine does a great job with the regular foot for IZs
You are rocking it! You’re just amazing.
Oh stop, lol. Thank you
trice you look AMAZING, sexy and cute at the same time! who cares if you’re handsewn in… that just means you’re a sewing ninja.
T’anks
I am been know for my creeping about skills.
Ooh, this looks GREAT on you!!!
Thank Ginger
I agree with everyone else, this dress looks amazing on you! Definitely wear it again and don’t worry about the zipper, unless it is going to rip out or something silly like that.
Thank you Zoe.
Oh the zipper is done. I have to install a whole new zipper in that sucker.
This looks great! The details are lovely – your buttons and neckline are feminine but not frou frou. You did a wonderful job!
BTW – thanks for telling me about Fabric Row in Philly. I got the fabric I used in my Fall for Cotton project at Maxie’s Daughter Fabrics there. =)
Thank you.
You are welcome. I am glad you found something there. Your outfit came out really nice. The collar is amazing
This is the 3rd Sugar Plum I have read about today. It is a fantastic pattern! I think I may be jealous of all your pattern testing and secret projects! How fun!… Anyway, I love your version… I think I could wear this- I am hippy and I love the fact the skirt is made from a knit. GREAT dress! ~Laurie
Pattern testing is accurate good for me, the whole deadline thing. I love love secret projects and I do have more up my sleeves.
This is a great pattern for girls with hippy ladies
You know I’m a big fan of your style- this is more proof of your fabness- love it!
This is super flattering to hear (see). Thank you. 🙂
it does look great on you. who cares about a bum zipper when your bum looks that good? 🙂
Thanks Devra. lol Funny the back view of that dress so happened to be on the screen when I read your comment. 🙂
I agree with Oona. Sexy AND cute!! Best combo!
Thanks Nettie 🙂