Recently Minerva Fabrics asked if I’d like to review some items from their site and I figured why the heck not.
I have used the site before with good results but bad experiences elsewhere put me off Internet fabric shopping for a while.
Minerva sent me a pattern (New Look 6069), the required fabric of my choice (a lovely multi coloured spot viscose) and a 22 inch black JTL invisible zipper.
First let’s take a look at the pattern.
I kind of love New Look patterns because I very rarely have to make adjustments.
This dress really spoke to me as view C looks like one of my favourite dresses. Please look past the horrible sample fabrics in use here and see the lovely dresses underneath.
Let me just say for the record, those longer length puff sleeves look horrific on the model and line drawings. I cannot imagine anyone suiting those. If you’ve made this dress and LOVE those sleeves, please get in touch to see if you can prove me wrong or if you need medical attention because the heat has clearly gotten to you.
I found this on the Minerva site after a bit of trial and error. There’s no way to filter for different pattern companies. You can only jump straight to the sale (hey that’s not that much of a problem, am I right?). As they stock loads of patterns I just did a search across the whole site for new look dress patterns and combed through the results.
Onto the Viscose!
I chose this print from the clearance section. It is so cute with all those different coloured oddly shaped spots. There are plenty of other lovely viscose prints I could have chosen, like 1, 2, or 3.
I wanted to use viscose so the dress could transition from day to night. I’ll probably make it up in an evening fabric at some point too.
The viscose I chose is lovely and cool to the touch. It’s a medium weight and very drapey. It washed very well with no colour fading and minimal wrinkling!
I decided to line the skirt to avoid any sticking to tights so I supplied some black peachskin to this make. I also wanted to get hold of the fabric before picking my interfacing. I had some Vilene “softline” black lightweight interfacing that turns out to be the bees knees. Oh and that invisible zipper? Went in like a flipping charm.
Right let’s get down to a wrap up of my thoughts!
Pattern Adjustments? I cut a 12 but then shortened the bodice by 2cm. I also cut the bodice on the fold as I don’t like needless centre front seams. I also added a skirt lining. That’s it!
Things I’d change in the future? Use a lighter coloured fabric to show off the lovely details a bit better. The yoke gathers and waist band are much clearer in person, but not very photographic. I would also add the sleeves; I have cut and prepped the sleeves for this dress and may add them now the weather is taking a turn for the worse.
Thoughts about Minerva Crafts? Love em! Why did I stop shopping online?! I do wish there was some filtering of the patterns available but the the fabric is well photographed and the colours were spot on when I received it. Plus after a horrible incident with some viscose from the market that ended up full of holes after its pre-wash, I was very pleased to be working with a reliable company stocking good quality fabric.
Aww I love it! I’ve just finished my Minerva fabrics dress, will post it soon – I’m with you on the lack of filtering available on their site!
Thank you! Saw a peek of yours on instagram an am very impressed!
Very nice dress! Did you make version C but without the sleeves? How did you finish the armholes then? And, I don’t know how to tell you this but puffy sleeves are coming back in style. (hide) I simply love that fabric! It looks so rich and has a lot of depth with the tiny coloured pattern on it.
That’s right, view c and at the final minute I threw down the sleeves and I just used bias binding as a sneaky facing!
P.S. I’m forming a retaliation squad to fight the puffy sleeves, will you join us? WE WON’T BE TAKEN ALIIIIIIVVVE!!
Noted! I will be sending a battalion squad your way. But, ummm, small problem: I have 2 vintage patterns from the late ’60s, early 70s that I have in the queue to sew. Both have puffy sleeves. Rather puffy, as a matter of fact….Shhhhhh.
The print is lovely and the dress is very pretty on you.
Are the armholes ok or a bit low when you don’t add the sleeve? I’m always conscious of that.
Thank you! I don’t think they’re that low. No bra is peeking out the arm holes or anything. They were only cap sleeves on view c so not a massive arm hole in there, not like a full sleeve I guess.
Amy, this really suits you and looks like a fab summer dress! (Let’s hope the sun doesn’t go away too soon…) I’ve not tried Minerva before (altho heard lots about them) so may have to have a little look myself!
Thank you very much 🙂
Umm you know how you ended up uncontrollably buying aeroplane fabric after I posted about Tex Ex? Well hold onto your purse as you log into Minerva!
Really lovely. I must try New Look patterns, I’ve only made the legendary NL 6000
Thank you! Ahhh that’s still in my stash! I think you’d really suit this pattern
I’ve liked all of the NL patterns I have sewn with – I think they’re pretty well-drafted and good value for money because mostly they come with lots of options. Holy shit, though, the pattern envelope designs really suck. You need to be able to look past the fug styling and straight to the line drawings, but lots of their patterns are great!
That’s really, really lovely Amy!
Thank you. I think I’m on a bit of a happy sewing roll 🙂
Your dress with the viscose we got a sneak peak of earlier turned out beautifully. Nice review too.
What a cute dress. I think the fabric choice is perfect!
I’m with you on puffy sleeves.
Love the shape of this dress. And the fabric choice. And you in it! x
Ooh, very cute! When oh when will they learn to style them nicely on the front cover?! Sometimes it’s so hard to look past the early 90s sheen that they seem to be so fond of.
That pattern cover has tacky bridesmaid dress written all over it. I’m glad you were able to make something so beautiful despite it.