PDF Pattern Testing: The Gertie’s Soda Shop Dress

Happy Tuesday Lovelies!

So a while ago I answered the call for a PRE-TEST (which is the step before the actual testing of a pattern) for Gertie’s Soda Shop Dress by MCM Studio Designs. I’ve never submitted for a pre-test before, but I was so drawn to the line image design of the dress that I just had to do it!

“Gertie’s Soda Shop Dress is a sweet princess line dress with a bit of a 1940’s flair. It has the inspired Madeira applique collar and a bit of a tailored look with options for both long and short sleeves, and gathers in the center back.” – cited from MCM Studio Designs.

In pre-testing you are asked to draft the dress in “ugly” fabric or muslins because you’re basically just drafting to check the fit and measurements of the pattern on the size you picked. Believe it or not, this was my “ugly” fabric. (hahaha! I got them both from a Facebook destash group) At the time, I didn’t think I would be posting this one, so I didn’t spend time worrying about fabric placement (my ocd is bugging that the hummingbird is cut off on the front smh), but it came out so darling, despite the hummingbird, that I just had to finish the entire dress (with a little trim of course!) and share it with you. You know how much I love vintage looks and this was definitely that! Look how darling it is!

My favorite thing about this dress, is the back!

I don’t know why, but for some reason it reminds me of Mary Poppins…lol. I was also very excited that I finally got to use the buttons I purchased at Michael Levine Inc. almost 4 years ago – the fact that my mind went directly to those while planning this dress means that they were meant to go together.

Now, the pattern calls for buttons and button holes, but ….I cheated a little! lol I actually used snaps instead of buttons. Then I shaved down the button shank on the buttons and crazy glued them on to the snaps to create the illusion of buttons. Pretty neat right? it’s one of my favorite cheats.

I did try the Madeira appliqué collar while I was drafting….but I felt that the blanket stitching  didn’t fit right with the look of the dress because the panels were already so busy, so I ripped it out and did a regular topstitch. That technique would work lovely with fabrics less busy than the ones I chose.

Abigail calls it her “coat dress” and says its perfect for her to wear to go to a tea party. lol It has a nice twirl factor so she loved it.

I’ll be making a few more of these as she gets older for sure. I wish it was in my size, I’d make one for myself! If you like this vintage look as much as I do, be sure to snag the pattern while its 50% off. You can find it on MCM Studio Designs HERE or on Craftsy HERE.

Did you notice it looks like she’s wearing leg warmers too? lol Well…it’s just socks (haha) – I added a little of the same trim on the bottom of the dress around the top of the socks and WALLAH! 🙂

Well that’s it for today guys! I hope you all are having a fantastic week and thank you for stopping by! I’ll talk to you soon! XOXO