One of our favourite parts of the pattern-making process is sending it out to testers and getting photos of their gorgeous test makes. The April A-Line dress and Gemma belt were no exception! Our testers really showed their creativity, and their fabric choices and stylings show how versatile the dress can be. Their makes also give us the chance to see how the three bustline options create a perfect fit for any shape. Their work always inspires us, and we hope it will inspire you too.
If you haven't already, check out our launch blog post, or grab your own April dress pattern here (Use code HEYAPRIL for our 20% off launch deal)!
Boon Kuan used this striking gradient quilting cotton for her April make, and we said "wow" as soon as we saw it. It's a testament to her sewing skills how well-matched the colour is at the wavy line. This fabric and her tailoring really emphasise the A-line shape of the dress. This make shows off the pockets at the wavy line. So delightful!
We've noted in the pattern that it's suitable for directional prints, and Kris's make is a perfect example of what we envisioned. The second photo shows how the curved seam flows along the back to subtly emphasise the body's natural contours.
Nicole colourblocked her April dress, using pink linen for the body and a gorgeous linen gingham for the skirt and Gemma belt. This make shows how different the dress can look when it uses very different fabrics. She used the small bust option. "Thanks Jo for a sweet design to help my candy pink creation come to life!" she says.
Nadia put a lot of work into this dress, and the results were gorgeous! She used the same lightweight cotton sateen fabric pattern in two different colours for a striking change that emphasises the wavy line. She used the full bust version of the pattern. Originally she opted for pockets on the wavy line, but due to the flexibility of the fabric changed to the side seam pockets. She also added a contrast hem at the bottom.
Rosa made her April dress in a very cute floral embroidered white cotton. "I am loving this pattern! The dress is so me!" she said. She chose to make it in the shorter length, and without the belt.
The pink cotton, above the knee length and side-seam pockets give this dress a casual, laid-back cool. The belt, in the same fabric, is a subtle way to emphasize both the waistline and the wavy line below. We love Diana's whole look.
Holly made her red floral cotton lawn dress with the longer hem and the small bust options. She used the same fabric for the belt, showing how subtle the belt is and how the cinch highlights the waistline. "It’s very comfortable to wear and I love the addition of the belt." she says.
Astrid surprised us with a really cool detail: piping at the sleeve edge and the wavy line. She also added a band of contrasting fabric at the collar and hem of this brown woven faux suede April A-line dress. Rather than using the Gemma belt, she added one of her own, with great results! She made hers with the full bust. "All in all a super comfy dress, and I just adore the pockets and the wave!" she says.
Keira used this bright, bold crinkle rayon for her make, and used the pink of the skirt for her Gemma belt. The combination really makes this stand out – and it's a palette that works well on Keira! She made this with a medium bustline. The crinkle rayon had a lot of give, which made the easy fit even more easy.
The wavy line pockets were popular among our testers. "The impact of those curve pockets adds something really special to the overall look of the dress," Jodi said. She prefers to wear it un-belted in order to show those curvy pockets off!
Farah made a pretty pink April in a medium weight linen, with a gather along the wavy line that adds a great bit of texture. She used the medium bust for this pattern and graded the size slightly at the hips. She also took up the challenge to make the pocket along the wavy line, and gave us a detail photo to show it off!
Showing off how the use of two different fabrics can really make the wavy line detail pop, Yvonne used a beige linen fabric for the torso and an earth-toned linen floral for the skirt. She also used the skirt fabric to make the Gemma belt, which adds a pretty contrast. She also made the side-seam pockets, the small bust, and added a little length for a graceful below-the-knee hemline.
"This was the first woven dress I’ve ever made and I really love it! 
" Mary said. This jewel-toned linen blend make by Mary shows how dressy the April A-Line and Gemma belt can be, depending on how you choose to make and style it.
Linda chose this gorgeous floral print and a long skirt length for her April and Gemma makes. However, she says she does not recommend the 100% polyester fabric she used as it was tough to sew with and hid the wavy line in the dress.
Sara proved that beige does not have to mean boring with this delightful make in soft poplin. She played with grainlines to great effect. The trim along the hem takes it up a notch! She made the small bust option and changed up the bodice length and easy closure slightly. It all combines for an effortlessly cool, casual look.
The yellow body and green floral skirt gives Rhi's linen April A-Line dress a striking look. She made hers with the full bust option. The detail image shows how she constructed the wavy line pocket variant.
Veronique shows off the deep pockets she put on her April cotton lawn make, with an appropriate bouquet. "This pattern is so cute! " she says. You can see how laid-back and casual the April A-Line dress can look, especially when it's unbelted.
We love seeing the different makes of our Forget-Me-Not patterns. Do you have one you'd like to share with us, that we could feature in a future post? Let us know!
To celebrate the April dress launch, we're offering 20% off until April 1 with the code HEYAPRIL. Click here to order the pattern now!
We're so excited to introduce our newest sewing pattern, the Xenta Tote! Xenta combines our love of dramatic details, adventurous sewing, and practical utility.
