Jennifer Lauren Handmade Mayberry Dress

My first finished make of 2018! And I’m being a good blogger, as per my goal and went out and took photos straight away. Then took more in the spare room because it was so windy outside that all my photos were rubbish. I wasn’t wasting the make-up!

This is the Mayberry dress by Jennifer Lauren Handmade (previously Jennifer Lauren Vintage), which I was lucky enough to get for free in exchange for an honest review – keep an eye on Jennifer’s blog for her reviewer round-up to see lots of other versions. This is my second of her patterns and you’ll definitely be seeing a few more of them – I have four now. They’re always really different to anything else out there she puts some really interesting details in them. Like this asymmetric button band in the Mayberry dress.

I made the long sleeved version of the dress (in navy to basically rip off the long sleeved sample because it’s gorgeous) but with a slight tweak – the long and 3/4 sleeve versions have a little cuff that you gather the sleeve into. I decided to turn the sleeve hem up instead and make a little elastic channel so I can push my sleeves up. It worked out quite well but I took too much length off the sleeve so they’re shorter than I’d like.

I used a viscose twill fabric and it feels lovely, it’s so soft and drapey but it was a nightmare to work with. It frayed like mad so my notches kept disappearing and I had to go get the pattern pieces a couple of times to re-do them. It also marks and goes shiny where you press over things like the facings, darts and seam allowances. Ooh speaking of facings, I gave Katie’s non-flipping facing tutorial a go on this and I’m very impressed. I generally hate facings but these stay put nicely because they’re anchored in the sleeve seam.

My overlocker broke while I was sewing this too so I had to change to French seams part way through. I’m actually quite glad I did as it makes the insides look lovely and tidy. Apart from the skirt, which is part badly overlocked, part pinked.

The pattern comes with different cup sizes, A-D, which always confuses me slightly as I’m small of boob but big of rib but there’s a section in the instructions to help you choose what size to make. I made a B and I was so impressed with the fit that I immediately bought the Laneway dress and wittered on to the Manfriend about Jennifer’s block. The dart is in the right place! The dart is never in the right place on me!

Even the shoulders fit well. If I’m being picky I may narrow them a tiny amount before my next version but it’s perfectly wearable with them where they are.

I wore the dress to work today and got loads of compliments, which is always nice. It’s a great work dress because it feels smart but is really comfortable. I just love the off centre buttons and the way the neckline curves, it’s just so pretty.

In terms of construction everything went together smoothly. The sleeves inserted like a dream. They are the best sleeves I’ve ever sewn. I sewed the pockets even though I’m not the biggest fan of side seam pockets – these are actually the first ones I’ve ever sewn. I like that they’re set back into the seam so they don’t flip out but I probably won’t bother with pockets next time. They’re not worth the faff for me as I don’t use them for anything other than my hands.

The instructions are really thorough and I liked that there were little tips spread throughout them. The little note on the facing pattern pieces to tell you to cut out the interfacing with the glue side up was especially handy because I didn’t look at the instruction booklet when cutting.

The details

Pattern: Jennifer Lauren Handmade Mayberry dress

PDF or Printed: PDF

How many pages: 100 but you don’t need to print all 100. It’s just that many because of the cup sizes. There’s a handy sheet telling you which pages to print for what cup size and what sleeve length. I had to print 40 pages. But if I want to sew a different sleeve length in future I’d have to print out some more.

Easy to assemble? Everything went together fine but the pattern doesn’t have the triangle things on the edges so you need to make sure you have the front page with you when you assemble it so you know what page joins up with what.

A0 file included? Yes, 6 pages but each cup size is a different page so you wouldn’t have to print them all.

Measurements: I haven’t checked them in quite a while and I know they will be bigger now but last known numbers were: Bust 38.5″ Waist 31.5″ Hips 41″ (I’ll update this post when I’ve been brave enough to take them I checked them. They’re now: Bust 40″ Waist 33″ Hips 43″ so this is a sized down version)

Size made: 14B

Alterations: 

• Changed the shape of the facings to include the shoulder.
• Shortened the sleeves by 2″ and turned up 1/2″ then 1/2″ again for an elasticated channel at the wrist instead of the cuff.
• I put a bit of elastic in the middle of my drawstring so I can tie it tight but it’s still comfortable and I don’t have to adjust the tie when I sit down.
• Sewed a 1.5″ inch hem instead of 1″.

Fabric used: Viscose twill from Oh Sew Crafty (I’m not sure how much sorry because I had lots of odd shaped pieces left over from cutting out another project)

Another version?

Yes definitely. I’m really happy with the fit across my shoulders and the armhole/sleeve. I can see me using the pattern pieces to see what changes I need to make to other patterns. I fancy making a Mayberry top too – I did try to make one as a wearable toile but I didn’t have as much fabric as I thought I did. It was just going to be the bodice with a gathered ruffle on the bottom.

Any changes next time?

I won’t shorten the sleeve if I do an elasticated cuff again and I won’t do snaps again. My floor was littered with dead snaps after I finished installing them and one has come loose already. Not a fan.

I may narrow the shoulder slightly, maybe 3/8″.

The verdict

Despite my snap hell and my self shredding fabric trying to ruin the experience I really like this dress. I love the fit and I’m all about the zipless dress so I’ll definitely make more. This may be the beginning of a pattern love affair.