The Fall is such a great time to have on easy long sleeve dresses! At least, that’s what I think! I love the latest release from Made For Mermaids because it is so pretty! I cannot stop wearing the versions that I’ve made for myself! My daughter especially loves her new top! Everyone, meet Katy!
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Pattern Info
Today I’m going to be talking about the Katy pattern, which was recently released by Made for Mermaids! I tested this pattern with Made for Mermaids because, as soon as, I saw the initial design— I knew I was going to make a lot of these dresses! And so far I have made four!
Katy Pattern has a beautiful front twist tie on the side at the waist! You can pick whichever side you want I think it be beautiful either way but it is such a delicate detail. I really like how flattering it is on just anyone! It comes with a sleeveless option, a short sleeve option, a three-quarter length sleeve option, and a long sleeve option. It also has an amazing bishop sleeve option, as well.
Katy has a really nice shape! This pattern also has a couple of different length variations so you can have a top length tunic length dress length and below the knee length. I think it’s fair enough to say that you could use this dress and just about any party, work environment, events just based off of what fabric you choose to use for this pattern.
Katy Pattern is one you should definitely have in your pattern library because it’s as easy to make as a t-shirt but has just a touch of interest to make it feel much more special!
I made two dress versions of the Katy pattern. I made one with long fitted sleeves, mock turtleneck at the dress length the above me dress length. I also made 2 Katys with long Bishop sleeves, a mock turtleneck and the dress length. the final version I made was a long fitted sleeve, scoop neck Katy top for Nala.
Fabric Acknowledgment
The fitted long sleeve version is made with Cotton Jersey that I was gifted from Minerva. This fabric was designed by Maureen Cracknell and the print is called Harvest Trails Noir, as a part of the Autumn Vibes Collection! It’s a mix of green and black… I’d say it’s definitely not true black but it’s got such a beautiful, rich-deep tone that pairs perfectly with the coral and gold accents of the design on this fabric. The border design of this fabric was just perfect for this dress! I did cut on the cross grain, so that I was able to use the border print the way that I wanted to. The stretch of this fabric is so high that it doesn’t matter that I’m cutting opposite the width of the fabric. It turned out beautifully with the way that this dress just wraps around the body. 😊 I could not be more pleased with how this dress turned out!
The bishop sleeve version of Katy pattern was actually a matching set for, both Nala, and myself. I have been hoarding this fabric in my stash for years! I am certain that Joann does not carry it anymore and that might be for several reasons! Though this fabric is beautiful and it shines like I don’t know what—it is quite scratchy! There’s no way to get around saying it, but this is definitely not a dress that you would want to wear on bare skin. I have to have an undershirt and a pair of leggings on underneath to really feel comfortable but it is extremely cozy! This dress would be amazing for winter time and early spring because the colors (IMO) play beautifully with that time of year. This sweater knit is so beautiful when the sunlight hits it! Will I wear this dress all the time? Yes… when I can layer it over top of long sleeves and leggings because it is quite cozy once it’s not just on your bare skin. But it’s not quite cold enough to wear that many layers lol
The last version that I’m going to talk about is the top that I made for my daughter. I just wanted to make her a Katy top as well. I used a Bamboo Knit Buffalo Check Jersey from Melanated Fabrics! It is absolutely stunning! I am so in love with how this top turned out with the Buffalo Check. This color is also extremely beautiful 😍 How lucky was I to find a tree that matches this color almost perfectly… it was such a great opportunity. Now that the snow has already come in in Colorado, we definitely don’t have any leaves on any trees anymore. I’m so pleased I was able to get these pictures! My daughter just loves taking pictures to be honest, so she was really pleased with the setting, as well! I can’t say that I was opposed to having a giggling, happy model for this shoot! 💛
Construction Notes
I don’t have much to add to this section for this dress because I was a pretty strong part of the testing team. I love how Catherine (Made for Mermaids) puts their patterns together. I think they’re always quite to the point, so there’s really no point of me switching any of the construction details around. If you have any construction feedback or preferences that you felt made this pattern come together better or faster please do leave them in the comments for me!
Final Thoughts
The shape, the variations, and the speed that Katy comes together is what won me over! As I said before I recommend this pattern to anyone! Made for Mermaids has a pretty size inclusive selection of patterns and they always do a really great job to help out in the Facebook group as well! If this is one of the first dresses you’ve ever made or if you’ve only ever made one or two things, this would be a great pattern to start kind of being impressed with your skills! It is a very impressive looking dress/top even though it does not take very much time or fiddling to be made. Let me know if you would be interested in trying out Katy Pattern and if you could see yourself making a few of these, as well. I’ve already made 4 and I very much so would like to make more of these!
