Garden Dress - The Margo Pattern

Once it starts creeping into the 90's here, I begin dreaming of summer shift dresses (check out my Summer Frock Pinterest Board), The ideal dress is comfortable in the heat, versatile enough to work in (water plants, sew and run errands too) and look good enough to go out to dinner because let's face it, who wants to cook when it's this hot?!  Enter the Margo Dress!

As many of you know, one of my goals as a pattern designer is to create versatile patterns that can be used over and over. It's so much easier to start with a base pattern that you know works and use it as a jumping off point for creative and unique pieces.  The Margo Blouse is one such pattern.

I used 2 yards of iridescent linen from my stash and coordinating DMC embroidery floss for the contrast stitching.  Here are the changes I made:

• Left the sleeves off and bound the armhole.
• Added 15" to the length of View A so it hits just below the knee.
• Added patch pockets at the side seam (large enough for my phone, of course).
• Used reverse bobbin stitching at the yoke, pockets and hem.  Check out my tutorial on how to do this. It's easy and fun!

​That's it!

Making the dress shorter or adding tiered ruffles would also make a beautiful romantic dress for the summer. Embroidery or lace added to the yoke would make a fun, bohemian feel. So many options!  I have a Margo Blouse Pinterest board for even more ideas.

Happy Sewing, Friends!
​Diane