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delia creates

Lady Skater Pattern Review

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Hi there!

It’s me in front of my fence….again. 馃槈 Between sick kids, a busy toddler, and rainy days, my fence and my camera remote are my blogging buddies.

Today, I’m sharing three versions of the Lady Skater Pattern by Kitschy Coo.

Amanda sent me this pattern because I couldn’t be apart of her pattern tour and really wanted to do a review. BUT…I wanted to put this at the top, up front, because I want you to know that I would probably have bought this pattern on my own anyway. And now that I know how awesome it is, I would DEFINITELY have bought this pattern myself.

The fit is pheeeeenomenal. Amanda (the pattern designer), is very detailed in the pattern and on her blog about fit, and how to get it just right…but not in an intimidating way. In more of a help you be successful kind of way.

The construction is professional and durable. And how in the world…I just don’t know…but she made a dress that flatters almost all body types. The exact placement of the waist, coupled with the shaping of the bodice, and the perfect dip in the neckline. Whoooeeee.. dude. I love this pattern.

Which is why I made three! The classic dress, the peplum hack which she explains on her blog HERE, and my own little maxi dress hack.

The classic dress has a modified circle skirt and is a great piece to dress up or down. I sewed a three quarter length sleeve with no band, which I think is the most flattering sleeve length and takes this dress through any season.

I used a thinner knit than the pattern recommends which made the neckline harder to sew and the stripes harder to match up, but it is still totally sew-able and wearable. Spray starching the neck band helped lots!

I also used an even thinner knit for this maxi version. I sewed everything the same in the bodice, except for the waistline elastic. Instead of using clear elastic, I used a stronger 1/2 inch knit elastic so it could support the heavier skirt better.

For the skirt, I took the remaining knit fabric (about a yard x 60 inches (width of the fabric)), sewed it unto a tube, gathered it, and attached it to the bodice. That means there is just one seam up the back.

The elastic holds up well enough to wear it without a belt, but I think it looks better broken up at the waist.

Confession…I did not hem the skirt because knit doesn’t fray and because there is so much skirt you can’t really tell.

Lastly…the peplum. See the peplum hack how to HERE.

I sewed a short sleeve with the sleeve band this time because I only had a yard of fabric and barely had enough to make this.

I chose the mid-range peplum (a little more volume than just shortening the skirt but not a full circle skirt).

I also fiddled with the length a bit to get it to flatter my body and height best. I think it can really vary from person to person, so my advice would be to start out longer than you think you will want, try it on and adjust the length from there. But beware! Only take a little bit off at a time. The weight of the knit can pull the skirt down longer when it’s heavier, and once you cut off that burden it might spring up and be shorter than you intended.

PATTERN SOURCE:

The Lady Skater dress pattern by Amanda Cusick, Kitschy Coo

FABRIC SOURCES:
Black and white stripe – Girl Charlee found HERE聽(Girl Charlee is a sponsor and I love them!)
Gray and white stripe – Girl Charlee (no longer in stock but check out the rest of the striped knits HERE)
Cream and gold polka dot – Girl Charlee (no longer in stock. Check out the rest of the dot knits HERE)

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Comments

  1. get out!!! these are so perfect and cute delia!!! I bought the pattern a bit ago – just need to tape it up and cut it out. I love all your variations, I'm going to dive into my knits as soon as I can and sew these up! You're gorgeous!!!

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  6. Woah! WOAH!! Delia, these dresses and peplum are AWESOME!! I can't believe those weren't bought at a store! They are perfect, and so flattering! Love, love, love:)

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  11. oh my goodness Delia you are too adorable!! I love love love those dresses! I have been holding off buying this pattern…but i think i am going to finally have to get it! love yours so much! have a great weekend 馃檪

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  21. Gosh wow love all of these. You choose great fabric and it's amazing all these versions came from the same pattern. It's so versatile and you are so right in saying it flatters everybody.

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  22. Oh. My. Goodness. I have seen other reviews of this pattern, but I have never felt like I have to buy it…until now. All three of your looks are fabulous! As usual. That peplum top in the dotted fabric is so adorable on you.

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  23. Delia, you are so stinking cute. I love all of these so much! I have a few peplum tops already and love them…I"m worried by the time I get around to sewing one they won't be in style, but I love that they are going strong:). I've been eyeing the pattern for a while now and noticed a new dress line out that looks so similar to this and kept thinking I just need to buy the pattern

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  24. I only own one knit dress (and have never previously!) and I actually bought it from a thrift store because I liked it, without having tried it on, and I LOVE it. Like you said, no cling. So I just bought the pattern because I love this dress like I love mine. Now to shop for material… 馃檪

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  36. Love this dress/top/maxi. All are awesome, I especially love your fabric and the fit. I’m thinking about the pattern myself now.

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