It's Getting Wilder In Here

 I have long been attracted to the open necklines of garments like True Bias Roscoe Top, Friday Patterns Wilder Gown, and the Pattern Scout Poppy Blouse which is what happens if Roscoe & Wilder had a baby.

 I *love* the ruffle above the drawstring on the Wilder. I bought the Wilder pattern at FabricMart during a #CarriageCornerSewCamp weekend and finally in August of 2022, I sewed it up. In fact, I even bought the fabric for the version I'm sharing today. 

AND I found my notebook with the notes on what changes I made to the pattern. So, here are the changes I made to my wilder gown:

• Size XL
• slashed front and added 1" in width, so 2" overall
• add 1/2" in length at center front, tapering to nothing at side seams
• Tappered the front slit (I tend to be narrow in my upper chest) to 7/8" at the top.  I don't have pictures, but I just redrew this seam.
• Cut the Skirt 31 1/8" long and put in a 2 3/4" hem.
• removed 1 1/2" of width at back waist (with darts)
• Lengthened & Widened the sleeves
• used a short piece of elastic in the neckline, maybe 6" with ties sewn to both ends to help keep the neckline gathered
• used 2 rows of elastic in the sleeves, with the first casing up about an inch from the fold, to mimic the ruffle at the neckline

The fabric for this dress is a crinkle challis from FabricMart and it was a splurge for me. Honestly, some days I love the dress and other days the print feels too childish. I bought enough to make a tiered maxi, but honestly, my day job isn't really conducive to maxi dresses. I'm often cleaning bathrooms and running up and down stairs - I don't need a dress getting in my way. So knee length it is.  

 It has pockets!  I first saw this method of putting in-seam pockets on Teri's instagram (Teridodds1) and I've used it ever since. In fact, I rarely use the pocket pattern piece as I've developed my perfect pocket over the years. It's large enough to hold my phone.  I do a few things different. Mostly, I serge the 2 pocket pieces together and then stitch them to the garment. When you use matching thread, nobody notices and the stitching keeps anything in your pocket from pulling it down.  

 I need to take photos of Wilder Gown #1 so you can see how taking the extra width out of the back was a good thing. 

 Also, with dresses like this were the skirt is just gathered to the bodice, I don't use the pattern piece. I use width of fabric and cut the length I need. I carefully mark the top of each piece of fabric so the print runs in the same direction as the bodice. As long as the bodice is fairly fitted, I don't mind the extra fabric in the skirt.

 This was the next oldest dress that Carolyn took photos of during her stay. 

 It's recently gotten hot and humid here in PA and I love wearing this dress when the weather is gross. Also, this is the summer that I wear shorts and I may use the rest of the fabric to make a tank for wearing with shorts.

So, have you tried Wilder? Do you love it or not? I think it's a fun pattern where the fabric makes it or breaks it! Also, it needs to fit through the bodice. I have fabric to make more, but I might let it sit for awhile.