The Bay Dress and Top by Brownie Goose
/We've got a double review of the Bay Dress and Top today, a new pattern coming from Brownie Goose. You can buy the pattern HERE to make one for yourself!
Hey guys! It's Crystal, from Stitched by Crystal, and I had the chance to sew up the newest pattern by Brownie Goose…the Bay dress and it is a show stopper!
This pattern features wrap design with a gorgeous scoop back. You can do an empire waist or a drop waist, I did the empire.
It has an option for flutter sleeves, which I chose to do, I love flutter sleeves!
It also can be made as a dress or top and has the option of a straight back or curved back. I love the curved back and used some eyelet lace to accent that curve.
This curved back dress is fully lined with no exposed seams, which means you don’t need a serger to get a clean professional finish! And you could actually even make it reversible if you wanted.
This was my first time sewing one of Amy’s patterns and I really enjoyed it. You know that first step of every PDF pattern “read through all the instructions before starting”, that is my least favorite part, I just want to tear into my new fabric and get started! But Amy actually makes this step enjoyable; her writing is lighthearted and actually fun to read, even in a sewing pattern!
Let me give you the rundown on the Brownie Goose Bay pattern…
- Pattern sizes 18 months to 12
- Size chart so you get the right fit.
- Fabric requirement chart.
- The pattern requires a good bit of fabric, but there are instructions for a slimmer skirt which requires less.
- Cutting layout diagram
- 9 pages of pattern pieces and a printing chart that tells you which ones you will need
- Cutting chart for the rectangle pieces
- Clear pictures and easy to follow instructions.
- Glossary of terms to help you if you are newer to sewing.
- Lots of options (as mentioned above)
I did have some fit issues. Make sure you check your girl’s measurements against the size chart before cutting. Amy states in the pattern that sizing is generous, and recommends that you size down if in between sizes to avoid the dress slipping off the shoulder due to the low cut of the back.
My daughter normally wears size 18 months or 2 and on the Bay’s size chart she was about 1” too skinny for the size 18 months, but I made it anyway, I mean how bad could it be really, right? Well, we had some shoulder slipping. But, all was not lost! I brought in the front of the bodice with a little box pleat and it was absolutely perfect!
The back closes with 2 buttons. There is no button guide for placing them, I never use them anyway, so I didn’t miss it! The great thing about the wrap dress is you can adjust the buttons for the perfect fit. AND you can let the dress out a bit as your child grows by moving the buttons over a little!
Brownie Goose Bay
I just love the simplicity and classic look of the BG Bay Dress. I cannot get over the sweetness that it oozes!
I used an old button up shirt to make the flutter sleeves and trim on the bottom of the skirt panel. I LOVE when I can put an outgrown blouse to good use.
And the back...... The buttons can be placed so that the top/dress doesn't fall off the shoulders. I sized down and used a shorter skirt measurement to make a top instead of a dress. This girl will hardly wear a dress! The buttons can also be moved to make the top larger as your child grows.
The Bay Dress has a size range of 18m - 12. the Bay can be made into a top or dress, empire waist or drop waist.
Drafted pattern pieces for the bodice are included and skirt measurements are given. There are also options for flutter sleeve, as well as rounded skirt corners or straight skirt. I made a flutter sleeve top with rounded skirt corners.
There are pictures included in the instructions for every step which makes the pattern VERY easy to follow and understand. If you are comfortable sewing buttonholes, and have a few sewing skills under your belt, you should have no problem sewing this pattern.
Have fun sewing up this sweet pattern! Bye!
