Happy Friday Friends!

I am so happy spring is finally here! It has me feeling all upbeat and ready to take on even the most mundane tasks with a spring in my step 🙂 All the daily chores and errands and school pick-ups just seem so beautiful and sunny and happy! I mean it did get chilly yesterday and it’s cloudy today BUT…. winter’s finally over! yay!!! And there’s something about blue skies and pink cherry blossoms that fills the heart with so much joy!

Speaking of joy, you know what made me almost unreasonably happy about this Melrose Dress? The fact that I was able to eke out a dress out of this 1 yard cut that I’d been saving for about 2 years now. When I purchased this Medina crepe rayon from LA Finch Fabrics, I made a mistake and ordered only 1 yard even though I really really wanted a dress out of it. The fabric sold out almost immediately so I couldn’t get any more, and so it just sat there on my shelf until this pattern came along.

The Melrose Top and Dress is a relaxed fit top or dress with cuffed dolman sleeves and a bias bound neckline. It includes some simple and elegant features like the elastic casing for the View A dress version along with well-anchored in-seam pockets, a pretty gathered peplum for the View B tunic and a wide hem band for the view C cropped boxy top.

It comes in sizes 00-20 and all the views include options for A, B, C, D and DD cups (C,D and DD cups have bust darts). Another little detail about this dress is that it has no closures of any kind – so no zippers or buttons and buttonholes required. Without closures or sleeves to set-in or rows of gathering stitches, you can imagine how quickly this dress comes together 🙂

Based on my measurements, I made a few adjustments to get the fit just right. First, I graded from a size 0 in the bust to size 2 at the waist. I shortened the bodice by 3/4″ and the skirt by 1.5″.

And since we are dealing with fabric shortage here, I cut the cuffs across the grain and pieced the bias tape for the neckline. Not one to forgo pockets, I used a ivory/cream colored lawn fabric for the pockets and they work wonderfully.

Before I made the dress, I made a top version to check for fit and really love the outcome.   I did grade from size 0 to a size 2 in the waist and look how great the fit is! So here are some pictures of my View C top made in a linen noil blend from India. This fabric was like a shiny peacock green when it arrived but faded to a dull sea-green after pre washing. I am not sure how it’ll hold up after a few washings but it has a lovely drape and a slight sheen and I am in love with this crop style top! I paired it with my first pair of ginger jeans here 🙂

If you’ve followed my blog or IG long enough, you probably already know about my love for Itch to Stitch patterns! I really love Kennis’s designs and can confidently recommend  her patterns based on the exceptional quality of drafting as well as detailed instructions to get well-tailored garments that will be well-loved.

Thank you so much for following along and reading my posts!

*If you buy the pattern through one of my affiliate links, I get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you and you will help support my blogging adventure. Thank you.