One of the most frustrating things about being a wheelchair sewer is a project that initially fits perfectly well on the mannequin (who is stood up) but then not so well when actually worn seated.
Unfortunately this is the case with my latest make, the Savannah Dress.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still very wearable, but the fabric in the lower half of the dress just pools at my hips. Fortunately you can’t see this when I’m wearing a cardigan and at this time of year that’s definitely how I’ll be wearing it.
I was so excited to try this pattern when I first saw it and I really thought it would work for me.
With any sewing project, I initially fit to my mannequin (it’s just too tiring to keep trying something on and off for size). My mannequin has been padded out with my seated measurements (only it’s obviously standing up, so I can’t always tell what a garment is going to look like seated until it’s finished and I’m wearing it). Due to my illness I suffer with fatigue a lot so I have found that 9 times out of 10, I can use my mannequin for fitting and this saves my precious energy. This was one of those times where that theory didn’t work so well.
I’m so sad because I really love the design of the dress and it’s the very first Minerva exclusive pattern that I’ve tried.
I want to make it very clear that this certainly isn’t an issue with Minerva’s pattern (which is excellent by the way – more on that in a minute). Some designs just work better on a seated figure than others and I’m very slowly learning which ones these are.
I always give myself plenty of room around my tummy as I can’t bear anything tight in that area and maybe that’s the issue. I also included the pockets (which I often leave off a design) and I think maybe this is exasperating the problem as they open out when seated as opposed to lying flat when standing.
Anyway, enough about the down points. I want to talk to you about Minerva’s pattern. Firstly, I love that it comes in a really good size range 78 – 150 cm bust (with both standard B and a full bust D Cup options to make life easier). It includes a very detailed instruction booklet and there is also a link to a sew-along should you require it. The pattern itself is printed on good quality paper and a small detail that made me smile, was that the end of the grain lines are little hearts instead of the usual arrows. (I know…. little things please little minds but I really do appreciate small details like this!)
All the pattern markings are clear and lineup so I have no hesitation in recommending the pattern.
I have worked with Minerva’s French Terry before but this time the fabric is from their core range. It’s such a super fabric to work with and very easy to wear. I was very kindly gifted this as part of their Ambassador program. I made the majority of this project using my overlocker and finished my hems with my coverstitch machine. The pattern does have instructions for using both a normal machine and an overlocker. You certainly don’t need anything other than a standard machine to make this dress.
I doubt I’ll make the dress again, but I imagine that I’ll use this pattern for a tunic top in the future as I love the top half. Having seen how good they are, I’m certainly very keen now to try other Minerva patterns. I’m keeping a mental note of all the design features that I’ve had issues with over the years and am slowly developing the ultimate wheelchair friendly tick list.
(Image Descriptions: There are six images showing Yvonne sat in her wheelchair in her conservatory. She is wearing a beige dress with black tights. The images are all taken from different angles.)
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