[Nathalie]

Hi, I just purchased the Garden Party Dress specifically to make a dress with a fabric my daughter picked out earlier this month. The fabric has palm trees on it with a row of flamingos along the bottom selvage. I was disappointed when I downloaded the pattern and saw that the pattern pieces aren’t straight across at the bottom edge of the skirt. I’m trying to decide if I should just cut it as it shows, and the flamingos will be closer to the hem on the sides than in the middle, or if it would look ok if I cut the bottom of the skirt straight across so the flamingos are the same distance from the hem all around. I hope I’m explaining this well. Anyway, I guess my question is which way would you recommend I cut it so the bottom edge of the skirt looks best? I haven’t made this pattern before so I’m having trouble picturing what it would look like if I cut the bottom straight across instead of angled up at the edges. Has anyone done this and can show me pictures? Or has anyone used a fabric for this dress with a pattern along the bottom edge and can show me pictures of how it turned out? Thanks, I really appreciate any advice you can give, as I’m hoping to have this sewn up before a trip we’re taking in a week!

[juliamom2009]

Hi Nathalie – I used a border print and left the hemline as per the pattern piece…you can see it in this photo:

[Tamara]

It can be very deceptive when the hem of the dress skirt is curved but honestly it will look fantastic once it is done. I have a bubble dress in a border print waiting it’s turn (when the white thread is in the machine again) and I used a border on a recent playdate dress. But the above picture is all you need to persuade you to go for it.

It will look wonderful!

[Liesl Gibson]

Generally if the curved hem is slight you shouldn’t have a problem. As demonstrated by @juliamom2009!

[Lightning McStitch]

Hi @nathaliecarol I think it depends on the border print itself. If, like in Juliamom’s case the border is “soft”. Ie curved, floral or ill defined, then cut as per the pattern.
However, if the border print has a very defined, straight edge bottom, then I would adjust the pattern pieces and “square off” the hem. It’s as simple as lengthenening the side seams slightly such that the hem line follows the fabric print.
That’s what I did with the Library dress pictured below. I don’t think, in a kid’s garment, you lose much by eliminating the subtle shaping of the skirt.

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[Nathalie]

Thank you all so much for the helpful responses and the pictures! I decided to compromise by cutting the curve about halfway between the pattern and straight. It’s finished except for hemming (I want to try it on her tomorrow first) and I am so happy with it! –I’m trying to post a picture but it doesn’t want to upload it. Maybe I can figure it out tomorrow–
And Liesl, thank you so much for such a great pattern! Your patterns are the best I’ve ever used and I learn new skills every time I make something with them. This is the first individual one I’ve bought so far (though I’ve made many things from “Little Things to Sew”) and it definitely won’t be my last 🙂