Ever wonder what to do with those decorative stitches on your sewing machine? Check out Sabra’s use below.
Good morning! This is Sabra from Sew a Straight Line, showing you my embroidered, autumnal Marigold Dress.
I’ve loved the Marigold Dress design since I first saw it a few months ago. Feminine without being frilly, comfortable without being frumpy. I think it makes the perfect summer dress. But it’s quickly cooling off around here, heading through fall and into winter. I made my Marigold in a medium-weight Essex linen, using the long-sleeve options in the pattern along with the longer skirt option. And friends, let me tell you, the Marigold is also the perfect fall and winter dress!
I had originally planned on hand-embroidering quite a bit of the front bodice. But as I sketched out designs, I decided two things: 1) it was going to take me forever, and 2) I really wanted to try the hand-embroidery on a light-weight cotton for summer, in a more South American-style. So, the hand-embroidery was put on hold for a few months. But the idea of embroidering my Marigold stuck with me. I ended up using a decorative stitch on my sewing machine to add embroidery detail, but much quicker than by hand, and a bit more subtle than an all-over designs I was sketching out.
I added the decorative stitch to the back yoke.
Along the front yokes, and then curved from the front yoke down to run parallel with the button plackets.
I also added it to the pocket openings on the skirt of the dress.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I liked it at first. I even texted a friend in the middle of the night, afraid I messed it all up by adding the stitching. But in the morning, with fresh eyes, I decided I really liked the romantic delicacy the stitching added. The lines of embroidered leaves and vines break up the solid color of the fabric without being overpowering. And it really only took a few more minutes than regular topstitching would have taken.
My stitching isn’t perfect. I’m not really all that great at decorative stitches, since I hardly ever use them at all. But even the mistakes don’t bother me. I think they look organic, or maybe that’s just what I’ve told myself to make me feel better. But it’s working, so I’m going with it!
The pattern sewed up so nicely. I love when I get through a pattern and realize I didn’t have to force or fudge any of it, that it just flowed from cut fabric pieces to beautiful garment. The back yoke is lined, keeping that inside seam covered and professional. The collar is absolutely perfectly drafted, as are the sleeves. The Marigold is just fun to sew.
As I was making this Marigold, I kept stopping to pull down fabric for other Marigolds I want to make. I have a stack of three fabrics from my stash that I want to use with this pattern. It’s so versatile, it’s easy to just keep coming up with more and more looks from it. I can’t wait to make myself some tops and at least one sashed skirt. Capped sleeve or long with cuffs, peplums, high-low hems, skirts with varying hem lengths; I could get dozens of pieces from this pattern, to wear all year long.
You can pick up the Marigold pattern at the Blank Slate Pattern shop HERE
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