Hi guys! Just popping in today to share my latest project: the Cinch-It Dress from Charm Patterns. I haven’t felt a lot of motivation to sew in the last few months- probably partly pandemic fatigue and partly because I’m working on losing weight and it didn’t seem worth sewing something that wouldn’t fit in a few months. I was really excited about this pattern though, especially after seeing Gertie’s color blocked version. It gives me fun spring vibes that I sorely need right now. Hopefully I’ll be able to wear this out on a warm day in the not-so-distant future.

Another big plus is the forgiving styling that doesn’t require a lot of intensive fitting. I’ve had good results with previous Charm patterns since they have separate cup sizes along with each size so I took a gamble on this one and cut it out without making a muslin or anything (something I haven’t done in years!). It fits very nicely, though it definitely needs the waist definition to be flattering. The tent-dress look before I added the waist shirring was definitely not working on me! I ended up doing it a little differently than what the pattern instructed. The shirring line on the pattern was a but too low for me, so I actually drew my own lines of where the shirring should be by putting a wide elastic belt and then marking it with a fabric marker. I also did fewer rows than was suggested because I ended up running out of elastic thread. I don’t think it really needs any more though so it worked out fine. I haven’t done a lot of shirring before so I was a bit disappointed that it seemed kind of stretched out at first and figured I had done something wrong. However steaming it with the iron made a big difference and really helped it shrink back into shape, so don’t skip that step.

I was able to find both of these fabrics in my stash which was great (anyone else have a fabric hoarding problem?). I bought the striped one at Birch fabrics a few years back when it was on sale and I don’t remember where I got the gray chambray (there’s a good chance it was a thrift store find). It bugs me a little bit that the grey doesn’t match exactly to the print, but I figure it’s close enough to work. I also decided to do my own pocket shape instead of the heart or envelope pockets that are included in the pattern. I traced the outline of a salad plate to make these large circle pockets instead. I was able to find two of the same shape and size button in grey and white that I used for the finishing touches.

I finished the hem with some lavender bias tape. It’s pretty much my go-to hem technique for everything- it looks nice and it’s super easy! I used a light grey thread for the outside which blended in pretty nicely on both the gray and the white.

I wore a petticoat for most of the photos, but here’s one where I removed it so you can see the difference it makes to the shape:

I rarely wear a petticoat out and about because I feel like I’m overdressed, but I might make an exception for this one- it just really enhances the shape of the dress.

Pattern: Charm Patterns Cinch-It Dress

Fabrics: Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics

(hard to track down since it’s a few years old but you might be able to find some on Etsy and elsewhere)

Trims/Notions: Vintage plastic buttons, bias tape for hem

(you can find these online, or at antique/thrift shops)

Size: 8/10 and D/H Cup

Alterations: Changed position of shirring, changed shape of pockets and added buttons

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you are all staying well!