Hello, dear readers!
I’m happy to share one of my favorite patterns — the Decades Everyday E.S.P. Dress!
Cotton voile, quilting cotton, quilting cotton, silk linen
Decades Everyday is a “microline of patterns by Decades of Style.” These are quick and easy patterns influenced by vintage designs. They are super quick makes that live up to their slogan: “Sew in a day and wear every day!”
[source: Decades of Style]
The E.S.P. Dress is the first pattern in the Decades Everyday line. It evokes designs of the early 1960’s with a square neckline, raglan sleeves and a gathered skirt. It has few pattern pieces and is fast and easy to put together and can be sewn in a variety of fabrics. I’ve made this pattern in silk linen and cotton voile, but quilting cotton is my favorite option for the E.S.P. Dress. It’s a great canvas for prints and the stiffer cottons seem to work really well to keep the dress shape.
Pattern Name: Decades Everyday E.S.P. Dress No. 101
Size Range: Bust sizes 30″ to 46″
What size did you make? Graded up one size to a 48″ bust.
What are your…
- Measurements: 48-41-52
- Body Shape: Pear-ish/Spoon
- Height: 5’8
- Bra Size: 44D
What adjustments did you make and how long did they take? Other than grading up and adding some length to the skirt, I followed the suggested instructions for my first three, only adding a slight swayback adjustment. The last one I made in cotton voile (with the Boston Terriers/French Bulldogs) is lined with cotton batiste. I have yet to cut the full width of the gathered skirt as my chosen fabrics have been narrow widths and I haven’t had enough fabric to cut the skirts to the full lengths. Therefore, the skirts are not as full as the pattern suggests, which doesn’t matter as much with a gathered skirt, but doesn’t give the fully designed shape.
What was the construction process like? Did the instructions make sense to you? The construction process is a breeze. This is easy to cut out and a quick sew. The instructions are easy to follow and comprehend. There’s nothing confusing about this pattern and a beginning sewist can definitely try this pattern. It’s truly a dress you can make in a day.
How did you like the pattern’s fit? Do you think the design works well for your body shape? I love the fit of this dress. It’s super comfortable and a great dress to wear. I didn’t have to make any adjustments to the sleeves as I generally have to with other patterns. The gathered skirt probably makes my full tummy more prominent, but this doesn’t bother me and these are the types of dresses that I feel most comfortable in, and that’s what matters to me.
Will you make this pattern again? If so, what fit or design changes will you make? Well, I’ve already made it four times this year, so there’s no doubt that I will make another (or two….or three). One thing I did notice was that although the higher neckline was fine for cooler weather, in warm temps it tends to bother me, so if I sew another E.S.P. dress to wear between now and October, I will lower the neckline an inch or so.
Do you have any advice on this pattern for other curvy sewers? Are there any resources or materials that helped you sew this piece up? If you have a full bust, this is probably a pattern you’d want to make a bodice muslin of first. I haven’t seen this pattern on a busty gal yet, so I’m not sure how the raglan sleeves will work. I’ve become a fan of raglan sleeves and the shape of these sleeves suits me. I used this method to grade this dress up to fit me.
Pattern Rating (1-5):
- Size Range: 4
- Instructions: 5
- Construction Process: 5
- Final Fit: 5
- Overall Rating: 4.75
This pattern does go into smaller plus sizes, but does not have a wide range that would work for a variety of sizes. However, with the small amount of pattern pieces and the quality of the initial sizing, it is easily graded up and I had no issues with the fit. The instructions and diagrams are easy to follow and would be attainable by a novice. The pattern pieces fit well together and are well drafted. This is definitely a pattern that I will be making more dresses with. It was actually difficult to tear myself away from this one as it’s such a fast sew and I love wearing these dresses.
Would you say this is achievable for someone’s first attempt at making something? I know the very basics of working with a sewing machine from costume construction classes I’ve had, but never attempted making something for myself. After searching all over the web for something like this that would (a) fit/flatter and (b) not cost me $100 And (c) appeal to my geeky side, I’m wondering if l am capable of just making my own cool stuff. I would love to make this dress with comic-inspired fabric!
Coming in a bit late on this – I’ve been without internet for a few days. This dress is lovely; the amount of skirt gathering looks just right on you. Everything about it is pretty and feminine without being floofy, frilly or fussy in the least.
Never tried any other their patterns before but after reading your review it jumped into my shopping cart. With a three day weekend starting in about 4 hours, I now have plans 🙂
Definitely going to try out this pattern company, this pattern looks fab and I love the simplicity of it!
Whoa! I’ve got enough of the first “Home Sewing is Easy!” cotton for this, and your Star Trek print makes me think this is the shape for the similar print placement of HSIE. Hey, that was easy! Can you tell me what to make for dinner now? (and I’ll have the day wrapped up)!
That sounds like a perfect combo!! As far as what to make for dinner — that seems to be the eternal question!
I pulled this pattern out last night with the intention of making it up, then went stash diving and found a fabric with insufficient yardage for a pattern with sleeves. I decided I needed that fabric turned into a dress asap now that the weather is getting warmer, so its going to be an Anna and then I swear that NEXT I am making the ESP. I definitely want to lower the neckline and I think I might need to do some (small) bust adjustments based on how large the given a chance dress came up through the bodice. Do share how you lower the neckline if you beat me to it! Do you find that the sleeves are too full to layer well under lighter weight cardigans? That’s a bit of a concern for me since I almost always need layers in the office. Gosh, I LOVE these dresses on you! Maybe I’ll skip that Anna and go back to the stash…
Don’t you hate when you don’t have enough of a fabric to make a pattern?!! I’m thinking just to take some length off the top of the bodice. Will probably have to adjust the facings as well. Will probably have to add some length the front of the sleeves as well. I’m trying to remember if I’ve worn any of these with cardigans. I believe I wore the pink floral one with my Simplicity cardigan. That one has fuller bicep sleeves. It probably works fine with cardis along those lines. I can’t wait to see what you think of the ESP pattern!
Based on your versions – I snatched this dress right up. I agree – I like it better with a belt, but it’s so easy to wear. the neckline doesn’t look as high on you as it is on me. Anyway – it’s a great dress and I’m glad you’ve made it up so others will as well. Have you snatched up the next one yet? g
I’m so happy that you like it as well, G! Sometimes the neckline does look lower on other people. Have you tried lowering it yet? I have worn it without a belt when it gets hot, but it looks better with one. I’ve only made it in prints and the belts break up the busy-ness. I wonder if it’s made in a solid color if it would not need one? I do have the Given A Chance dress and some double gauze to make it. I don’t have a fabric that matches it though and still need to find one either at a store in my stash.
Tanya, this pattern is so cute.. all the makes you have made , are so pretty and look so good on you. Thank you for sharing the tips on what you did to the pattern.. I am fixing to buy it.. just too cute.
Thank you, Judy! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This dress looks so great on you… I am really tempted by it as it looks perfect for showcasing big prints.
Yes, it’s perfect for prints. Would work excellent for a border print as well.