Megan Nielsen The Rie Dress pattern review & giveaway

Welcome Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky! readers!!  I'm Kris from everywhere orange.  I'm beyond excited to a part of The Summer of No Pants Challenge. 

I am a lover of all things orange, cooking and am a long time sewer. 

I have made quilts, sewn Halloween costumes and tons of baby gifts but never made clothes.  The fear of mismatched pants legs scared me out of trying to sew clothes.  This was the first dress I ever made and it was so easy!  

I always get excited when I see something from Marigold in my Google Reader.  She has the best ideas!! I have her Crayon Monster Art Tote on my "to make list" right now.  I was even lucky enough to do a craft swap with her last September.  When she asked me to be a part of this awesome event I was surprised and so flattered. This is my first guest post ever!!

  Last summer, I was envious when Marigold started on the no pants challenge.  I am a hardcore pants wearer, I only own one skirt and one dress that isn't my wedding dress!  Last summer I thought, "I am not a good enough sewer to participate" so I frumped around all summer in my pants.  Now, I am not ready to give up pants completely, my hubby and son won't recognize me!! But I am ready to try to make a few skirts :)  

My Review of The Rie Dress Pattern:

Megan Nielsen's The Rie Dress is a great style if you are pregnant, just had a baby or want to hide a trouble tummy area.  I made this dress for my friend Maria who is pregnant.  She is about 4 months pregnant and looks beautiful in this dress.

The pattern is 25 pages to print, cut out and put together.  This was my first time putting together such a large pattern and It took me no time at all.  In fact, it took me longer to cut out the pattern and tape it together then it did to make the dress!  The pattern is well marked for size and is labeled for easy assembly.

I really liked how versatile this pattern is. There are 2 fabric options to make this dress and a length option to shorten the dress into a shirt too.  I chose to make the knit version but there is also a lace yoke version that is very pretty.  The pattern is clearly marked where you cut to add length to the dress.  Maria is 5 feet 2 inches tall and I made the dress exactly to the size of the pattern.  If you are tall and you make the dress according to the pattern, it will be a mini dress. I am 5 feet 9 inches tall so I would definitely lengthen this dress for me.

 Megan's picture instructions and tips were very clear and easy to follow.  There are separate instructions for both types of fabric and photos to go with them.

I love the gather on the top of the dress. It is a nice simple detail. 

I know you are wondering how the dress feels.  Maria loves it and says it is very comfortable.  I think somewhere in our conversation she mentioned living in this dress all summer and her hubby being sick of seeing her in it.  We both think it will fit through her pregnancy, but it will just get shorter as her belly grows so she can just throw on some leggings.  I think I will be making at least one more of these for her, and hopefully a top too :)

Thank you so much Marigold for this awesome opportunity and thank you to Megan Nielsen for a great pattern to review.  

Head over to Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky! for the pattern giveaway!!