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​Pattern Reviews, Easy Projects, Tips, & Sew-a-longs 

2/20/2020 8 Comments

The popover Dress

Gertie's popover dress pattern from her book Gertie sews jiffy dresses
Yay!! I finally made Gretchen Hersch's Popover dress from her book, Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses.

Let me first start by telling you NOT to use a one-directional fabric. Holy moly, I learned that lesson the hard way. The book says you'll need 3 1/3 yards of fabric. I bought 3 1/2 yards to have extra to make a matching hair bow, purse, or accent on a bag, etc. As I cut into the fabric I thought, oh shoot, I'm going to need much more! A big face-palm moment there. Ugh!

I ran back to the store and bought another 1 1/2 yards- totaling 5 yards of fabric. OMG!! Thank the fabric gods I had a 50% off coupon to use for both shopping trips. Lesson learned! Next time and there will be a next time, I will buy a multi-directional, busy print fabric. Jebus! (If you get my Simpson's reference, I love you).

Aside from my fabric choice mistake, the dress pattern was crazy easy to transfer. It basically has 1 piece. I always use freezer paper when I trace patterns. It's a good-sized roll and you get a lot of bang for your buck.
The pattern has the main dress, an armhole facing, shoulder bow and ginormous pocket pieces to trace. Easy peasy! I opted out from using the pockets and shoulder bows for this particular dress, but I transferred the pattern pieces for future use. 

After you wash, dry and iron your fabric, you'll cut it out. I usually like to trace the pattern while the fabric washes one day, and sew it the next day. But, this dress was so simple and quick, you could trace and sew it in an afternoon. It took me around 2 hours to sew- including making tea and a snack for myself and the kids. #momlife 

I didn't let the dress hang for 24 hrs before sewing up the hem- I know, I apologize. But, it was going so smoothly I wanted to just get it done so I could try on the essential tent. And boy, is it a tent. Ha!

I stuck an elastic waist belt on and WOW! Transformation doesn't even describe it. When I put on my crinoline, it was a Wowsa moment! I was a 50's housewife goddess. Exactly what Gertie promised. Yep, I love the dress!!
Popover dress pattern made with adorable fabric
Back view
Cute popover dress pattern from Gertie
Front view
Popover dress pattern
See the puckering at the V-neck area?
My only gripes are the facings don't lay flat. It could be that I didn't cut it 100% perfectly or sew it exactly in the fold area. I'll play with that on the next dress.
And, the front is a tad low. I've seen other bloggers complain about the low neckline as well. Luckily, I preach the motto "If you got it, flaunt it". But, I can imagine the low neckline being bothersome for some. 

I didn't make a step by step tutorial on this post because Gertie does a fabulous job on her YouTube channel. Go give that a watch if you are a visual person. I went back and referred to it a couple of times. ​
Gertie sews Jiffy dresses Popover Dress serged seams
Serge those raw seams before you stitch everything together.
Stabilize the neck facings for the Popover dress
Stabilize the neck facings.
Simplicity fabric from Joann fabrics
Isn't this fabric cute? It's from Joann. I love their new Simplicity line of quilting cottons and wanted to make a dress with this pink one.
I am planning on making a few of these dresses for the summer. Hawaiian print, polka dots, gingham, gimme all the carefree and flowy fabrics. I did buy 2 belts from Amazon- one black and one white. I figured they'd go with most everything because you do need an elastic cinch belt with this dress. She has an option in the book to make a shirred waist and I plan on trying that eventually.
Disclaimer: Many, many years ago I tried shirring a shirt and it was a huge disaster. Hoping to get the courage to try it again with the Popover dress. 

I can see myself sewing up a few of these batch style in a day. So easy, so comfy and pretty darn cute too! Thanks for another great pattern, Gertie! You are amazing.

So, what do you think? Are you game for making the super simple Popover dress? What other dresses do you plan on making in her book? Let me know in the comments below. 

Happy Sewing!
Annette
Sewing to the moon sewing blogger sews up the Gertio Popover Dress
Front and back look the same.
simplicity fabric line from Joann fabrics
Arm hole and side view.
Sewing to the moon blogger makes the popover dress
The dress in all it's glory

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8 Comments
Michelle
6/19/2021 08:37:54 am

I just saw this pretty dress you made, wow, so now i bought the book and one og the other books she made, can't wait to get it next week. Thank you.

Reply
Annette
6/30/2021 09:38:59 pm

Hi Michelle,
Yay!! I'm so excited you ordered her books. I love my popover dress so much! It's great for Summer too. Tag me on Instagram if you make one of her dresses or anything from her, I'd love to see it. Thanks for stopping by :)

Reply
Heather
7/24/2021 10:15:22 pm

Hello, I love your review and pictures so much, I've put three Gertie Sews books on hold at the library!! Especially excited to see what other patterns are in the dress book. Thanks!

Reply
Annette
7/29/2021 09:05:28 pm

Hi Heather! Oh how exciting, I hope you love her books and find the patterns easy to follow. Let me know if you need help with a pattern of hers. Thanks for visiting. :)

Reply
Sue
3/19/2022 04:42:45 pm

I love this dress and the material is so so cute! You did a superb job! A++!

Reply
Annette
3/29/2022 01:04:21 pm

Hi Sue! Thanks so much. It's an easy sew and so cozy to wear. Thanks for popping by :D

Reply
Hannah
1/6/2023 11:46:16 pm

I used an old sheet to make a dummy run of the popover dress and now it's my favourite nightgown! Definitely a great pattern for a sewist just starting out! Love your material x

Reply
Annette
1/8/2023 01:44:31 pm

Hi Hannah, that's wonderful! I have wanted to make a nightgown with the popover too. I never though of using a sheet. Great idea!! Good luck with your new sewing journey.😍

Reply



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    Hi there, I'm Annette and I love eating and sewing. I usually have a cup of coffee or tea with me, but not next to my machine because I'd probably spill it. I am the reason we can't have nice things.

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