School Photo Time

Yesterday, I tried my hand at the School Photo Dress pattern, new this season by Oliver+S. I decided to use a print from Sublime from Riley Blake. I used a vintage print to spice up the collar.

I will be honest. This pattern scared me before I started as it had scary words in it like precise and zipper. But as I said before, the Oliver+S patterns are like a mini-sewing lesson in each pattern. There were several columns about inserting the zipper, so I dove in. The pattern comes in two views. I opted for View A which has a simple collar and cuffed sleeve. View B is for a gathered version for a more regal feel.


Like the Nature Walk Pullover, this pattern has a large connecting pocket in the front so your hands can reach through and touch. There's also a deep pouch aspect to the pocket. Although these designs seem similar, they are constructed in different ways, so I learned two techniques for creating these pockets from the two patterns.


The pattern also calls for an invisible zipper. Before you get scared, I'll mention that I don't own an invisible zipper foot. I was able to make this dress using a standard zipper foot thanks to some very helpful directions in the pattern and on my zipper package. And, by golly, when it's zipped up; it really is invisible.


The school photo dress has a fully lined bodice and I used a coordinating print from Riley Blake. As both of these fabrics are mid-weight quilting cottons, the dress is a tad heavy for my liking. When I make this again, I'd choose a softer, lighter material for the lining. I might even choose something silky or a soft lawn. I really like the look of the back of the dress with the zipper. You could almost wear it backwards, if the neckline were lowered just a tad on the zipper side and the front brought up.


School Photo Dress is listed as three scissors. It's definitely a challenging dress to put together but it looks wonderful finished.

I'm wishing I had choosen a softer colour for my sample. It wouldn't have matter though, no matter which fabrics I picked, I'm certain the two versions at the No Big Dill would have put mine to shame. Get ready to swoon before you click that link.