Alright, so I’ve been meaning to make one of those trendy nap dresses for a while now, and I finally took the plunge! It seemed easy enough, and I kinda wanted a comfy but cute dress to wear around the house or even out for a quick errand. Let me tell you, it was an adventure.
First, I went hunting for a pattern. Found this Simplicity one, code S9327, which seemed popular. It’s for misses’ sizes, and mine fell into the 14-22 range. Perfect. This kit supposedly has everything you need – fabric suggestions, the pattern pieces, and a guide on sizing. Sounded good to me!
I spent a good chunk of time just staring at the pattern pieces, trying to figure out what was what. Then came the fabric selection. The pattern suggested a few options, but I just went with a soft cotton I already had at home. It’s got a bit of a directional print, so I had to be mindful of that when cutting. The pattern mentioned something about “with nap” and “without nap”, but let’s be honest, I only kinda understood what that meant. I just made sure all the pieces were facing the same way.
Next up, pinning the pattern to the fabric. Oh boy, that was a task. I think I poked myself with the pins more times than I actually pinned the fabric. But eventually, I got it all laid out and cut. That part actually went pretty smoothly.
Then came the sewing. I dusted off my old sewing machine, which I haven’t used in ages. Threading it was a whole other challenge! After a few (okay, maybe more than a few) tries, I finally got it working. The pattern said to use a longer stitch length, about 12 stitches per inch. Seemed reasonable enough. I also lowered the pressure foot thingy, as recommended.
Sewing the pieces together was a bit of a rollercoaster. Some seams went perfectly, others… not so much. Let’s just say there was a lot of seam ripping involved. But hey, I figured it’s a nap dress, it doesn’t have to be perfect, right?
After a few evenings of sewing and a lot of patience, I finally finished the dress! It’s not exactly runway-ready, but it’s definitely comfy. I’ve been wearing it around the house, and it’s perfect for lounging. I wouldn’t say it’s the most flattering thing I’ve ever made, but hey, it’s a nap dress. Comfort over fashion, that’s my motto.
My takeaways?
- Sewing is harder than it looks, especially after a long break!
- Reading the pattern instructions carefully is crucial, even if you don’t fully understand them at first.
- Having a good pair of scissors and plenty of pins is essential.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s all part of the learning process.
- Nap dresses are the ultimate comfort wear, even if they’re not the most stylish.
Overall, it was a fun project, and I’m glad I did it. Would I make another nap dress? Maybe. But next time, I might just buy one!
