I have made M7948 previously in a more formal fabric, so this time I was really looking forward to making it in a comfy every day style. I absolutely love Minerva’s Ponte Roma base cloth, it’s so soft and comfortable to wear and is a dream to sew with. This design is from their exclusive print on demand range, called Kestrel Swoop. It has gorgeous shades of gold, burgundy and white on a blue marl background.
The fabric is so lovely that I didn’t want to just make a T-shirt style dress I felt it deserved a prettier design.
M7948 is actually designed for a lighter woven type of fabric but I think I’ve managed to get away with using the Ponte as it’s quite stable. I never would have been tempted to stray from suggested fabric types when I first started sewing, especially using a knit instead of a woven, but overtime I have gained experience and now feel more confident in knowing what fabrics I can use with different patterns.
There are four options with this pattern offering two different sleeves and either a tiered or pleated skirt front. I opted for option B as I felt it worked better with the chair.
As always, I pre-washed my fabric and then hubby kindly cut out the pattern using a rotary cutter.
I sewed the front pleats on my normal machine using a stretch stitch with a ballpoint needle and the rest of the construction with my over locker. I finished the seams with my cover stitch machine.
As the Ponte has a good stretch I was able to remove the back fastening as it easily fits over my head.
I’m so pleased with how this dress has turned out and love that I can wear it on its own or team it with my Iris Cardigan for chillier days. It’s so comfy to wear but the design features of the bell sleeves and pleats in the front help to make this feel a little bit more put together.
Wheelchair considerations
The dress has a good high neck line, great for being viewed from above.
The bell sleeves are 3/4 length and so do not get caught on a joystick.
The waist is generous and so not tight and uncomfortable
The length is great as it does not caught up in the wheels.
By using stretch fabric, I have been able to eliminate back fastenings and the dress is now very easy to pull on and off.
Image description (there are six photos, taken from different angles showing Yvonne sat in her wheelchair in her garden. She is wearing a blue marl dress with bell sleeves with a Kestrel pattern in gold, burgundy and white. In three of the photos she is also wearing a sleeveless gold colour cardigan)
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