The Secret Garden Dress

This is the Secret Garden dress, pattern by Sprouting JubeJube and E+M.

This dress has two versions - the simplified and the flounce skirt, which features a beautiful bow effect at the back. I have opted for the simple version just because my girls need new clothes for Fall and the big bow would not be so pratical to wear with winter coats. Next Summer I will be making the flounce version - that back is really lovely.

I love the skirt in this dress. And the girls love it too! Look at all that twirl factor... Perfect, right?
The simplified version has a permanent sash and bow (it is sewn to the dress), but I have opted to make it interchangeable so we could change it to match shoes, blouses, hair bows... :)
For this photoshoot I had several options for the sash - a solid cotton in red, a floral cotton print, a blue satin and a black satin sash. She prefered the floral cotton print. I prefered the blue satin one. You can see both in the photos. Which one would you choose?

I would label this pattern as intermediate level. 
The bodice closes at the side with an invisible zipper (you can see it bellow). Although sometimes sewing them up can be a challenging task, I love invisible zippers. I was lucky to get this one right (with both seams matching) at first attempt. I have this super simple little trick and it seems to work great. ;)  
The bodice lining is set to place with an under stitch, and that my lovely readers, is a perfect construction method. Most dress patterns use top stitching all around the bodice neckline but I personally prefer methods with less top stitching (which in my opinion is over used...). 
It also requires a bit of hand sewing - which I love! (Hi, my name is Sara and I am a sewing nerd... :) ) Of course you can always just top stitch it, but in this case it won't be the same, since the stitching line would be just bellow the perfect "V" in the back... So grab a needle and go for a slip stitch by hand. You will be suprised as how quick it can be.

I have used a heavier fabric suitable for fall/winter weather (I *think* it is twill...) and she will be using it with a tee or a blouse underneath. I intended to make the photoshoot with that outfit - to show that this dress can also be worn for Fall/Winter - but the weather here is still very summery. In fact it was very hot this day so she asked not to wear the long sleeve blouse and the tights and winter shoes and I was totally okay with that. This is my hobby not hers, and I am really opposed to force or bribe my kids to make things and wear things just for the sake of me having the "perfect" blog post. ;) 

She was also not in the mood for standing still... so all I got were a bunch of blurry photos with her running and twirling all the time - can't blame her really... :)

Make sure to check the other participants blog posts for this pattern tour!

September 22 | Sofilantjes - From a Box - Golden Rippy

September 23 | Friends Stitched Together - Project Destash- Simple and Trendy

September 24 | Call Ajaire - Crooked Whimsy - Giggles & Beans - Sews 'n Bows

September 25 | The Adventures of Captain X and the Gingerbear Princess - Once Upon a Sewing Machine  - Thread Riding Hood

September 26 | Pienkel - Made by Sara - Rebel & Malice - Shaffer Sisters

September 27 |Sewing Sober - Lulu & Celeste - Climbing the Willow

There is an amazing giveaway for this tour! If you want to win several patterns just entry the rafflecopter bellow for a chance to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are buying this pattern you can use a coupon code, good until Sep 27th. The code is "SGTOUR25" and it will give you a 25% discount for the purchase of the pattern in the E+M website as well as in the Etsy shop.