Serendipitous Starling Dress Part 4

Sometimes,no matter how careful we think we are being,we make mistakes.
Sometimes,they turn out to be happy ones!


Let me explain.....
When attaching the zipper in the Wren dress,I stitched it in from the bottom of the yoke instead of the top!
It would have been easy enough to unpick but after consulting Miss E we decided to work with it.

Please note,the variation from the original pattern.
Thank you.

Apply interfacing to the back sides as directed in the pattern instructions.

Prepare your zipper by rolling it open and ironing flat.

If your zip is too long Charlotte has some tips on shortening it.

Like so!
Just look in the instructions.

Following the directions,pin the right side of the zip to the right side of the fabric.

Baste in place for ease of sewing.

Sew as close as possible to the coils of the zipper.

Repeat with the other side,basting the right side of the zip to the right side of the fabric.
It can be helpful to mark the other side with chalk to help match accurately.

Pin and baste in place then stitch.

The sewn in zip.

The top view.

Following the pattern instructions stitch the back seams together.

Perfect zipper(Can you see why I did not want to unpick)!

Nicole's mistake/alteration:

Press the seam allowance of the yoke inside.

Make a bias strip long enough to make three button loops.

Pin in place to seam allowance of the back yoke.
Sew in place,keeping your stitching in the seam allowance.

Fold the facings down and pin in place.

I chose to top stitch from the right side but you could hand sew the facings in place.

The finished 'mistake'

Gorgeous buttons from the Gorgeous Peta

A happy mistake.
Now,back to the original Starling dress.

The pattern suggests clipping and turning the hem of the facing to the inside which would give you a lovely neat finish.
As the broderie I was using was quite 'bumpy' I elected to neaten the edge only.

Pin the facing in place from underneath.

Taking care,topstitch the yoke in place catching the yoke facing as you sew.

Following the pattern,hem the sleeves.

Hemming the dress.
I was going to use pre-made hemming tape,but the dress was so pretty I couldn't bear to!

Following the instructions cut the hem binding.

Consider pre-pressing one edge.

Pin the binding following Clever Charlottes super simple method-I love it!

Ready to sew!

After pressing well,hand sew the binding ends together.

Sew in your gorgeous complimentary label.

Voila...The Starling Dress.

A darling dress.

For my darling girl.

Shhhh...you will scare the starlings!


I have so many ideas for this dress!
Black linen with cream hand stitching detail or soft denim with lots of topstitching or a wool check with cream flannel yoke and flounce or or or...


Good instructions,very well cut pattern pieces and a very clever little frill detail make for a snappy dress that sews quickly.
The fit is roomy,very handy for those tummy's,but definitely not baggy.
Can't wait to see yours!
Thank for reading
x N