Nina Lee Kew Dress


I made my first Nina Lee Kew Dress and it's love...the fiercest, most passionate kind. 

After getting an invite to Amy of Almond Rock's wedding last month, the self-inflicted pressure was well and truly on. Not only was Amy making her own dress (which was utterly breathtaking by the way), I've also been in a bad place about my weight and in a total sewing funk. In fact, I can't remember the last time I made a fitted woven dress that I felt comfortable in. 

I don't know what possessed me to try Kew, other than madly hoping it would miraculously look as good on me as it does on everyone else I've stalked online. Well guess what? It bloody well does!




Before going into pattern details, can we take a minute to swoon over my fabric? It's this gorgeous poly crepe from Sew Me Sunshine, which is actually much more teal in real life. The peach buttons from my stash are the perfect pairing.

This was my first time working with a Nina Lee pattern and I'm seriously impressed. It's very well drafted, the instructions are easy to follow and the design mixes vintage and contemporary details beautifully.

I made a straight size 14 and it was very nearly a perfect fit. I just shortened the shoulder straps by 3cm and sewed the facing along the neckline with a 1cm seam allowance (instead of 1.5cm) as I was worried about it being a bit revealing. I'm always so self-conscious about my large bust and try to avoid unwanted attention, but the finished neckline is very pretty. Also, I'm not the biggest fan of dipped hems, so I evened mine out to the shortest part of the skirt.

The only thing I would do differently next time is to lower the bust dart by a smidge...but that's it!




This pattern did what no other has managed to do in months...it made me feel sassy and elegant and happy in my own skin. Oh, and it only took me a day to sew up...so a win-win on all fronts!

Thank you Nina for designing such a gorgeous pattern and thank you Amy for giving me the motivation to sew something special.

I'll leave you with a few of my favourite photos of the stunning bride and I! If you want to know how Amy made her wedding dress of Dior dreams, then check out the series of posts on her blog throughout August.



27 comments:

  1. Just Wow! Your dress is stunning. The fabric you used looks great and it’s such a gorgeous design.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks absolutely AMAZING on you, it's like the pattern was just made for you!! The fabric is gorgeous and you are such a neat sewer, thanks so much for sharing, this is another pattern I'll have to add to my to-sew list! :^)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorgeous! Now I'm obsessed with that fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks gorgeous on you Marie, I'm so pleased it makes you feel fabulous too. I could see you in this in denim without the sleeve ruffles as a cute pinafore dress.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You look absolutely stunning in that dress. So perfectly balanced and showing off a beautiful figure!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks gorgeous! I am trying so hard to resist this pattern, but it is NOT easy. Beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sassy, elegant, happy, for sure. Love this dress, you are gorgeous in this. Now I am wishing for a reason to make one, especially if it could turn out as lovely as yours.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your Nina Lee Kew dress is beautiful! Great fit and the fabric was a perfect choice.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your dress is darling! I like it so much that I just bought the pattern, I have a floral lawn in my stash that I think would make up really nicely in this pattern. Thank you for your post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely dress and your fabric choice is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my goodness, your dress is gorgeous, and you look fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your dress on you is perfect! The bride also looks lovely. You are accomplished young ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a shame you haven't been happy with your weight as you always LOOK sassy and elegant even if you haven't been feeling it! A very gorgeous dress which looks fab on you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh lovely you should never be insecure about your body! You are gorgeous. And actually in the Netherlands most women have curves (a lot of 😉). Be proud of it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Truly lovely, both of you. I have just ordered this fabric. Thank you fabric enabler.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You look lovely! You are always so stylish and this dress suits you down to the ground.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You look lovely, congratulations on the dress. Sam the Aussie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow! You look gorgeous! I love the neckline and sleeve detail, I'm going to have a look at that pattern right now!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Completely gorgeous! Oh, and nice dress as well...!

    ReplyDelete
  20. as a rule not a fan of the cold shoulder clothing, but I have to say this dress looks amazing on you! the fabric is beautiful and the dress wonderfully constructed. totally love the fabric of the brides dress as well. both of you look absolutely gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  21. Marie you look fabulous! You're so talented - the dress fits you like a glove! xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Alice from france19 August 2018 at 12:41

    You are so right, this dress is really suiting you so well! The shape is great to make you look great! I think the color is really nice on you!
    Glad to hear this dress made you feel great on your skin! Hope it will last!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Marie this is absolutely amazing on you! The fit is killer and so beautifully sewn.
    Kew was the first Nina Lee I tried and I was as impressed as you
    Hope you had an amazing time at the wedding x

    ReplyDelete