As soon as the Hannah Dress by Victory Patterns veered onto my radar I knew I had to make it. I love the deceptively simple shape that, on closer inspection, reveals spectacular and unusual details. Check out those slanted side seams ending in deep pockets, the foldover back pieces, the hemline, the covered button placket. Oooh I'm getting dizzy again with the excitement of it all!
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| Victory Patterns Hannah dress |
The Victory Patterns website features a Hannah dress in pale grey wool. When I spotted this dark grey flannel (wool/rayon/poly) in the Textile Traders 50% off sale, I decided to go for it for my first Hannah (and yes, there will be more). The pattern says you need 3.1m of 137cm wide fabric. I bought 2.5m of 150cm wide fabric and had almost 50cm left over. I made size 8.
This is quite an involved pattern to make and I enjoyed every minute! I have no idea how Kristiann drafted this and worked out the instructions. It's really clever. I was surprised many times at the way it came together. It was also impossible to try on until quite late in the construction process and I kept draping myself in pockets and plackets desperately trying to imagine the finished dress!
My first ever covered button placket. Phew, that gets your brain working! Great instructions though.
The back of the dress is perhaps the most unusual feature with folded pieces draping from each shoulder. This results in five layers of fabric at the back neckline that are then bound with bias binding. Here is my back neckline with the bias binding attached, but not folded over. Six layers with one to go! Surprisingly this worked out fine and not too bulky, even in my wool fabric.
The fit is pretty good on this. The darts need to be moved slightly and I could do with a sway back adjustment. I may also need a FBA (full bust adjustment). I might also lower the armholes slightly next time. These are all minor changes and I'm quite happy with the dress as it is.
Update: there is a tutorial for bust adjustments on the Victory Patterns Website.
Those deep pockets are fab.
The blue tights are my first attempt at a self-drafted pair of tights from a leggings pattern. Let's just say it's just as well I'm wearing boots!
22 comments:
Nice button placket! (There's a phrase you don't hear every day.) And the back is quite spectacular.
Thank you Bronwyn. You can have a closer look at my button placket anytime, not to mention my backside!
Very cool. I love her patterns, I've just finished a long sleeved Roxane in autumnal colours. Also made the Chloe twice and Lola and they are my favourite things I have made.
This is fabulous, and just as I imagine a winter version to be. Beautifully sewn as always, love it!
I've spotted this pattern too due to its original construction. Your first version is fantastic. No muslin? Amazing! One question: the buttons are on the right-hand side? They're usually on the left-hand side on women's shirts, non? Anyway, since they're hidden, I guess it is not even an issue!
Looks like you're sorted for winter! Very interesting pattern and as ever you do it justice. Love having big pockets.
Ahem, yes! The placket is the wrong way round. Both sides of my fabric are the same and I got mixed up. I forgot all about it in my enthusiasm!
Thank you Lucy. I have long admired her patterns too but this is my first. I'll have to go back and look at the others again.
Thank you xxxxx
Big pockets are the best. Thank you!
Really intrigued by this pattern, thanks for sharing it with us! I'm still on the fence on this one for myself, but it looks great on you, and suits your style, I think. Oh, and thanks also for letting us know how much fabric you used, I hate having chunks left over!
This is such a cool design.
Very unusual and interesting design and suits you very well.
I really like the interesting seam detail and of course pockets!
I really like this pattern but always wear sleeves . Is there any reason I couldn't draft a sleeve for this dress ? or would it work as a pinafore with a T shirt under It ?? It looks very you and i would say its a success !!
The armhole is finished with bias binding so I would think you could draft a sleeve. Yes, it would also work as a pinafore, but I would lower the armholes a little bit to give more room for the t-shirt. Thank you for the comment!
Thank you and I agree about the fabric requirements!
Thank you - it sure is!
Thank you. I love this style x
Gotta love those deep pockets!
Very nice! This dress fits you perfectly. Thank you for great review.
Thanks for the review - including very useful comments about trying it on late in the process. I loved the pattern when it came out but was worried about managing 6 layers in a thicker fabric than recommended (if I read the details right), so thanks, I'm game to buy it and try it now - winter is definitely now upon us here in Melbourne.
Oh, and I love the colour of your tights, even if they're not perfect!
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