plaid tova dress

I've been coveting a Tova dress for ages now. Jenny Gordy's patterns sell out super quickly so when she recently added more to her shop, I snapped one up immediately. There are many versions out there but it's those made in plaid that have captured my attention, it's almost as though Tova was made for it. And seeing as I am having a major 'check' moment, I decided to make my own. My last visit to Fabrics Galore certainly turned up trumps, they had such a good selection of flannel checks that choosing 'the one' took a while.

When it came to it, the flannel was a slippery little eel as it moves about so, and matching up the checks took some thought too. How I wish I knew how to put in the walking foot that my lovely mother swears by, insisting I, too, should have one.

The pattern, which gives an option of a tunic dress or a top, comes printed on sturdy paper in sizes XS-M, or M-XL, and is accompanied by several sheets of thorough, encouraging instructions along with several black and white photographs to reinforce them. It's expensive, too, in the same league as the Merchant and Mills shirts I recently made. However, like the M&M, there is scope for modification and they are both completely seasonless styles, making it a price worthy of paying in my book.

Now that it's finished though, I'm finding the flannel to be quite a clingy fabric but if I wear it with a silky camisole underneath and over jeans rather than something woollen, it might be OK. Nevertheless, the jury's out as to whether it ends up being shortened into the top, which I rather like the idea of anyway, so only time will tell. Besides, there are sure to be several more Tovas along the way.

Wishing you a great week!