Yesterday I released a new pattern: the Nova dress and blouse. Well, ‘new’… The design actually dates back to when I was a beginning seamstress, six years ago. Over the past years, I blogged a number of different versions (starting with this one, I think), and a few months ago, I finally got started on the pattern (encouraged by a few IG friends, not in the least the wonderful Miet).
Because I designed it so many years ago, I thought it’d be quite funny to name the pattern Nova, which is Portuguese for ‘new’ (granted, when it comes to humor, I set my bar pretty low).
As usual, I ended up adding so many options, that what was supposed to be a ‘quick project’, turned out to be months of work. That being said, I’m secretly pretty proud of the range of different garments you can make with Nova.
A peter pan collar is also included. So all in all, you can make 144 different combinations with the Nova pattern. Full disclosure: I know this from doing some math (2x4x3x3x2), not from sewing all the possible combinations and then counting them :-p
A garment with pleating options wouldn’t be complete without the classic box pleat, of course.
With no waist seam, the Nova design is also perfect for a little baby dress. So the pattern starts at size 3 months, and goes all the way up to 12y.
I’ll admit it: when I finished this baby dress in beautiful nani IRO double gauze, my ovaries were pretty much exploding. 😉
I kept the back simple, with two flattering pleats.
Of the three back options, the ribbons closure is my own favorite.
The honeycomb smocking may look complicated, but is actually much simpler than you’d think.
Do to be sure, in addition to the illustrated written instructions, I also made a video which takes you through the different steps.
The same goes for the cuffed sleeves: easier than you think, especially if you look at my video 😉
As usual, I was able to rely on a fan-tas-tic team of testers. Thank you so much to Annelies, Annick, Carrie, Charline, Claudia, Elien, Emma, Erin, Gaby, Gisa, Hanne, Ine, Ivy, Jana, Katie, Katrien, Katrijn, Laura, Lidwien, Lies, Merel, Michelle, Nele, Rebecca, Régine, Sane, Sharon, Sofie, Sophie, and Tiffany, for all your help, smart insights, detailed feedback, support, and incredible kindness!
The Nova pattern comes with the usual features: digitally drawn patterns, with seam allowance included, detailed instructions with clear illustrations, printing layers to save ink, a printing guide to save paper, economic cutting diagrams and yardage tables to save fabric, a sizing table and a table with finished measurements, a print shop version (A0), helpful video’s to assist with the more complex steps, and compatibility with other StraightGrain patterns.
You can buy the pdf pattern here; the printed version will be available in the course of the next week. The code NOVALAUNCH10 gives 10% off on the electronic version, and expires this Friday.
Thanks for all your support and patience!