Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress

Wow, what a long time since I wrote a blog post!  6 months with a new born and I ve spent every available second (not that many) sewing rather than blogging about it.  So lets go with a few posts of what I ve made in the past months!

Firstly the Myosotis by Deer and Doe. I had seen so many lovely versions of this that despite it not being my usual style, I bought it!  I had some  reservations whether it would suit me when made up as I don’t really go for loose fit, full of ruffle items! But I m bigger than normal post baby and breastfeeding so I thought it a good choice for those reasons!

I bought fabric with the intent to use for this project, a navy and white stripe with floral embroidery. The fabric itself is quite lightweight but it gets bulky around the embroidery which maybe makes it a bad choice for such a ruffle heavy garment!

I cut out a size 14 and it needed no alteration other than taking the arm hole in slightly. The instructions are very clear and I found it an easy sew, though I m tired of gathering fabric!!

The biggest issue I had was the fullness/ I lined the skirt as it was a bit see through and 2 layers plus the embroidery made it quite heavy on the placket and seams so I'd avoid textured fabric for this pattern in future.

I actually just overlocked the hem rather than turning it under, as it became too think if I hemmed it !

Another thing to note is I find it goes over my head fine without needing opening buttons so next time I would skip button holes and just sew them down or even hack a version with a one piece front, no buttons. I think a version with pin ticks down the front would look great!


I chose to go sleeveless as it was for my holiday- I didn’t make pattern alterations for this, I simply took it in a bit more on the side seam below arm and finished with bias binding.

So, do I like it? Simply, yes- but I need it to be less full / loose than the pattern. Made up per pattern I feel huge in it. So I made a tie for the waist and with that small adjustment I like it a lot.

One final point - I don't like the way it asks you to finish the collar. I found it very difficult to ensure it was neat at the edges and with the over stitching.  I therefore prefer to follow the instructions from the Grainline archer instead.

I already made a second version, this time with sleeves- but this time I  replaced the skirt with something less full- a simple A-line with side slits and some front pleats for a bit of body.

I find it a super comfortable but stylish dress, with the pockets a bonus! How do you like it?