I’ve used the Myosotis dress pattern from Deer and Doe as the base for a multitude of hacks already. I like the V neck and semi loose fit which I can just though over my head! It’s a great base to play around with! (Check out previous versions here, here and here!)

I fancied one more though!

I got hold some some cobalt blue crepe from The New Craft House over the summer. The bright rich colour was so not something I’d normally go for but I found it so mesmerising that I just went for it!

I did my usual dilly dallying about when I get a new fabric and haven’t decided on a plan for it until I saw a gorgeous blue dress on social media that I just knew I wanted to recreate! Unfortunately I don’t remember what it was, who posted it or when but I was left with this vague impression and recollection of a gathered dress with a shirt style front opening and big sleeves. That was enough to get my creative juices flowing!

I started with the Myosotis bodice and decided to add the By Hand London Hannah sleeve to it. I took out the button front and added a centre from seam instead. I extended the length of the stand collar to create a long tie at the front that I could tie into a bow if I fancied or just leave loose. All those changes meant I had to redraw a facing for the neckline. I also adjusted the armscye of the bodice to merge with the BHL Hannah.

For the sleeve hem, I had originally planned to add some shirring to create an elasticated cuff but found the fabric just didn’t take well to the process at all. Instead I did a deep hem and sewed a channel to thread through some 1cm elastic to gather it. It still created the puffed/ gathered hem I was looking for!

I have some mild regret about closing the centre front seam. Would it have looked better with buttons here? I had intended on just simplifying the look but I feel like it pulls a little over the bust with that change. Unfortunately, I’ll never know!

This is definitely a “dressy” outfit so hopefully now that things are pretty much back to normal here, I’ll have plenty of opportunity to wear it!