Alpha Patterns Kira Milkmaid dress for Matilda

 

Matilda badly wanted a Milkmaid dress. She has tried them on each shops and, quite frankly, they looked awful. Tilly is only 14 but has a very full bosom, the dresses she tried were not a good fit. After some Googling I ended up on Etsy and the Alpha Patterns Kira dress was on sale at 70% off so I thought we would give it a go.

It had many good reviews so I was quietly confident she would get the goods.

To start with, although the bra cups are self lined, the rest of the dress is not. I was not happy with that so I dropped a lining in.

I used cotton poplin for this and basted then clipped and then pressed the seam allowance. This was hand basted in place and then top stitched from the right side.

I had a terrible time fitted the gathered sleeve in to the bodice. The notches did not match and there just seemed to be too much fabric. I could not make rhyme nor reason from the instructions and if had not been such pretty fabric (French poplin) I would have thrown the whole dress in the bin.

The skirt is a full, gored skirt that has very little gathering at the waist. It was very snug on Tilly although she measured in the size I chose.

It is quite hard to see but the two cups are gathered by a drawstring and tied at the front. There is little support (in the bust area) it is very soft.

The fabric is very pretty.

I sewed one of my signature silver 'E's at the centre front.

Of course Tilly looks as cute as a button.

And I am reasonably happy with the fit.

But I won't sew it again.

In truth, I threw the pattern in the bin.

I cried sewing this thing. I was so worried that I had wasted the beautiful fabric. It took me two full days to sew. Although it does fit, she doesn't really wear it. I think she feels a bit vulnerable in it as you can't wear a bra.

I think there are better Milkmaid dress patterns out there. Vikisews makes the Nola dress which I would try, if another is required.

I really don't like being critical of an Indie pattern but I did not like this one at all. I think if you were after something 'cheap and cheerful' and not too fussed about a good finish, fine.

But it's not for me.

~Matilda's Verdict~

I don't normally wear dresses but I like this one. My Pinterest boards are full of these dresses, and  I could not find one that fitted me in stores. The fabric was a bit of a lucky find, but I managed to get my hands on it before Lidia saw it.  I like the fit of the dress around the waist, and the length of the skirt, with my wee little legs, But I do feel slightly constricted in the bodice, and arms of the dress, although that may be because I am not used to wearing dresses. Only being 14, I also feel a bit vulnerable, with the style of the bodice meaning I can't wear a wired bra.  

There you go, a pretty dress pattern but not for us.

Thank you for reading.... xx Nicole