A girl can never have too many dresses, right?  I keep telling myself I am going to start making more practical tops that I can wear to work. And solids. I need solids. But then this magical thing happens. I fall in love with patterns. Dress patterns and patterned fabric. So instead of making solid work tops I am over here cranking out these beautiful dresses. The best solution to this “problem” would be more date nights and girls nights. Am I right?

All this being said, I am back today to show off my newest dress from Made for Mermaids: the Mama Sommer. Catherine from M4M took a simple but classic summer design and loaded it with options in true Team Mermaid style. The dress comes with three different strap options and three different dress lengths. A top version isn’t included this go round, but you could easily shorten the mini for a tunic or a top.

So I typically avoid two things when sewing: gathering and binding. I know this dress has both, but I couldn’t help myself. Both the solid double brushed poly from Pretty Posh Prints and the Art Gallery cotton Lycra were easy to work with the create the binding. Plus, the more I use binding, the better I am getting!

The crossing straps are great so I do not have to constantly adjust the position of the straps.  I will be trying out the double crossing straps for my next version for sure!

This is a straight size green (I usually grade out to yellow for my hips, but I spaced out and forgot) mini dress version.

I did not do the shelf bra hack, but I did use clear elastic at the bottom of the bodice for some stability.

I definitely need practice with gathering as I lost the even spacing on my gathers when I attached the bodice to the skirt. But I already have a lovey solid double brushed poly version scheduled to be cut soon, and I will be more careful.

The new Mama Sommer is perfect for the summer, and it clearly belongs in your pattern stash as well!  The pattern is on sale until Sunday, May 14th (no code needed).  As always thanks for stopping by!

Until next time….sewing and sipping,

Stacey

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