Skip to main content

Melrose Top & Dress, New From Itch to Stitch

With the completion of my dress this morning, I now have 2 versions of Melrose Top & Dress to share with you in this post!  
When I have a hard time fitting sewing into my schedule, it's important to select patterns that give me a big impact without needing too much in the way of fitting and that don't have complicated techniques demanding my concentration. That's where I'm at lately and so Melrose Top & Dress, the newest release from Itch to Stitch Designs, is just the pattern I needed this spring! 

Pattern Details

Designed for wovens, Melrose Top & Dress has just the right amount of ease to be a comfortable dress without overwhelming my frame EVEN though I'm large busted. (No tents here!). Because this is a minimalist design with a modern silhouette, you have the potential to create everything from an elegant and classic garment to something super impactful depending on the fabric you choose. 

Design Features

-Drafted for A, B, C, D & DD cups WITH darts for C+cup sizes
-Wide, bias bound neckline still covers bra straps
-Elastic waist has no raw edges on the channel (View A&B)
-Dress option with large in-seam pockets (View A)
-2 Top options: 
*View B with a gathered peplum, 
*View C semi-cropped box top with bottom band

Muslin Work

I made a super quick muslin for this, just to double check the dart placement.
 It felt a little low for for me compared to my apex.
Otherwise, everything looked good.
Gotta love those patterns that don't really need any big adjustments to fit well. I only made 2 fitting adjustments: my standard 1/2 forward shoulder adjustment and raising the dart by 1 inch. 

Version 1

My first Melrose was one of the top versions, View B with the elastic waist and peplum. I added 2 inches to the length of the peplum using the method described in the pattern instructions. The fabric is a "silky" poly I bought at Joanns a few years back.

 
 I have my Melrose Top paired with my wool suiting Seville Skirt.
 
 Melrose Top also looks great with my North Point Trousers.
My favorite combination is pairing my Melrose Top with my Lindy Petal Skirt (hacked to have a straight hem).
It's still a bit chilly here in Michigan, so I toss on my wool ponte Paro Cardigan when I'm headed out.

  Version 2

I finished my Melrose Dress this morning and it came out just the way I hoped! I used the same bodice pattern as my top, and chopped 4 inches off the skirt to accommodate my shortness. My fabric is another poly woven, but the print is super interesting. I found it at Haberman Fabrics several years ago, before it changed owners and moved location.
I only had 1.5 yards of it... it barely fit!
 

Final Thoughts

I've got more than a few fabrics in my stash that are now cued up to become a Melrose. What about you? Which of your fabrics are calling out to be a Melrose? If you are stuck for inspiration, check out the other testers versions HERE.

You can get Melrose Top & Dress HERE for 20% off through Tuesday, April 16th!
What was that? You already got it? SAH-WHEET!


Labels:

Comments

  1. Nothy LaneAugust 6, 2020 at 12:01 AM

    I have always thought you are great about making patterns that suit you. But you hit the ball out of the park with the peplum top. I love the colours on you, the fit and the length. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meet My New BFFF: Breaking Ground With Mountain View Pull On Jeans From Itch-To-Stitch

Finding perfect jeans is like finding a unicorn....  Do YOU have unicorn in your back yard?  Yeah. Me either. What I DO have is the newest Itch-To-Stitch Designs pattern release: Mountain View Pull On Jeans , and they are my new BFFF! They MIGHT even be unicorn jeans... Breaking Ground is mostly about trying new-to-you designers,  but you can also twist it to be a new-to-you technique, style or other such personal challenge.  Obviously, Itch-to-Stitch is NOT new to me, but the concept of pull on pants as everyday wear is, and it's a trend I've tried to avoid for a long time! Pull on pants are for yoga and sleeping, right? My personal rule is no lounge pants outside the house, unless I'm ACTUALLY going somewhere to exercise. (SNORT)  Wearing pull on pants or leggings as real pants (that look terrific) is how I'm Breaking Ground for myself! Pattern Details Mountain View Pull On Jeans gives you just about everything you find in a traditiona
29 comments
Read more

My Perfect Vacation Pants, The Itch-To-Stitch Sequoia Cargos

I'm back at it with the pants again! Itch-To-Stitch has a new pattern this week: Sequoia Cargos & Shorts . It's still winter here, so I'm sharing the long pants option today. I'm taking a long weekend trip this March, and I need to start sewing a vacation capsule to pack. For the last 15 years or so, my friend has taken a casino bus trip with a few dozen of her teaching colleages. A few years back, her husband decided he no longer wanted to go, and I've volunteered to be her Plus One for the third year in a row. We will be getting on a bus super early on a Saturday and driving 6 hours or so over the Mackinac Bridge to the U.P. The ride up is filled with chatter and drinking and games, and we all have loads of fun. Then the next two days are filled with more food & drink, card games & slots. I'm not much of a gambler; I'd rather spend my dollars on a Pina Colada than a pull of the slot handle, but I find plenty of ways to enjoy myself. N
16 comments
Read more

When A Pattern Test Goes Pear Shaped: Saving My ITS Danube Jean Skirt

Every now and then, I have a project where every decision I make is wrong, and I have to battle tooth & nail to get to the end. Itch-To-Stitch recently released the Danube Jean Skirt . I love everything about the design of this skirt: slim fitting, DENIM, wind friendly, go-with-everything casual, sits at the natural waist, side slits for something fun and less formal. I was very excited to jump into the testing phase. I had a couple heavier non stretch twill fabrics in my stash suitable for muslins... and exactly 1 piece of non stretch denim which I earmarked for my final skirt. In The Beginning The first muslin revealed the need for some fine tuning, something that should be expected during the testing phase. V2 for the pattern was distributed and my second muslin came together quickly. I got exactly what I expected. A pretty well-fitting skirt except for my prominent full seat which was pulling all my fabric out of whack. No big deal, right? I've had this issue for
8 comments
Read more