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Radiant Home Studio

Radiant Home Studio

June 29, 2015 ·

Mini Southport Dress

Pattern Review· Sewing

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to try the Mini Southport Dress from True Bias. I’ve been admiring all of the adult versions of the Southport Dress that have been popping up on my favorite blogs. The mini dress is just a scaled down version, designed to work with sturdier, kid-friendly fabrics.

Mini Southport Dress | Radiant Home Studio

Kelli writes patterns in pairs, first designing an adult sized garment and then a matching children’s version. I have made several Hudson Pants and Mini Hudson Pants from her patterns. The Southport Dress has been available for a few weeks, so those of you that follow True Bias have probably been anticipating the release of the mini version. Today is the day!

The Mini Southport Dress is a sleeveless, knee-length, easy-to-wear dress. The details include a button placket on the front bodice, and a combined elastic and drawstring waistband. Elastic cinches up the back waist, and the drawstring in the front adds style. The button placket construction technique is very simple, probably the easiest one I’ve ever done. After testing, Kelli made a couple of fit adjustments including lengthening the skirt (about 1/2″) and raising the neckline (just a minor amount as well).

Mini Southport Dress| Radiant Home Studio

The pattern recommends using quilting cotton, cotton voile, or linen. I was sewing from my fabric stash and decided to use some rayon challis. I’ve seen some of the adult versions sewn in rayon, so I knew it would work. The fabric drapes and gathers nicely, though it was probably harder to work with than the recommended cotton. I had to sew and press very carefully to get straight seams on the bindings and placket. Rayon can be a bit more slippery, so I wouldn’t recommend it for a beginner.

Mini Southport Dress | Radiant Home Studio

As usual, Kelli’s instructions and illustrations are excellent. She includes plenty of information for newer sewists, while keeping the instructions clear and concise. The illustrations are clean and easy to understand.  For beginners, there is a sew-along for the adult version of the dress with step-by-step photos of the construction. There will be a couple more posts, specific to the mini dress, coming soon.

Mini Southport Dress | Radiant Home Studio

It was a pleasure to test this pattern and I highly recommend it! I’m hoping to make one for myself soon (I might copy Teresa’s classic navy version!) Check instagram #minisouthportdress to see more finished versions of the dress. Also through July 3rd, the pattern is $2 off with coupon code LAUNCHWEEK!

Previous Post: « Lace Wiksten Tank Dress & Leggings
Next Post: Watercolor Floral Prefontaine Shorts »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jaime Johnson says

    June 29, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    Great job! I love this fabric. I keep eyeing the adult version myself, but it’s a great style for adults and minis alike. 🙂

    • Sara Curtis says

      July 6, 2015 at 10:58 am

      Thanks Jaime! I have so many patterns on my wish list (including the Southport Dress), and never enough time! I’m sure you have the same problem 🙂

  2. Vicky Myers says

    July 2, 2015 at 2:48 am

    A beautiful dress 🙂 I have never sewn with Rayon, I can imagine it is a little slippery – beautiful finish:)

    • Sara Curtis says

      July 6, 2015 at 10:56 am

      You should try it Vicky! It has beautiful drape and is comfortable to wear. You have enough experience to work with it and do really well!

  3. Teresa says

    July 2, 2015 at 7:14 am

    Sara – I love it! And thanks for the mention. I’m definitely on a solid fabric kick lately!

    • Sara Curtis says

      July 6, 2015 at 10:55 am

      No problem Teresa! Your clothes always look great. When I look in my closet, most of my store-bought clothes are solids. I’m trying to keep that in mind more as I choose fabric for my own clothes!

  4. Lisa at Mabey She Made It says

    July 2, 2015 at 10:50 am

    It looks so cool and comfy for summer!

    • Sara Curtis says

      July 6, 2015 at 10:53 am

      Thanks!

  5. HeathersSewingRoom says

    July 4, 2015 at 4:19 am

    This looks like a great choice in fabric for this dress. It looks very comfortable with some really nice photos to show it off.

    • Sara Curtis says

      July 6, 2015 at 10:52 am

      Thank you Heather!

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Welcome! I’m Sara. I share modern home & accessory sewing patterns, and I create surface designs for licensing. I hope you are encouraged to see beauty in small things and are inspired to try new creative projects!

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