While searching for the perfect casual dress with pockets, I found this dress at Northstyle.com. I liked the cowl neck, three quarter sleeves, pockets and side vents. I planned to make it tunic length to wear with leggings, but decided I would have more options if it was a bit longer than tunic.
Last October I took the Fit Nice System class with Judy Kessinger at Austin’s Sewing Center, my local fabric store. Judy has a master top and master pant pattern that is fitted to each individual and from these two master patterns, you can make numerous variations. Lisa Niehaus was the instructor and did an amazing job helping me fit the master pattern to my body. I left with a completed shirt and felt confident I could handle making variations since I finally had a top fitted to my shoulders, bust, waist, and hips. Throughout the day Judy constantly says, “You are the designer and it is totally up to you what you do.” This class gave me confidence in myself as I return to garment sewing. I highly recommend it. So here you go… my copycat dress!
I liked the look of the selvage edge and used it as the top of the pockets. I simply surged the other three sides of the pockets and attached with the Nancy Zieman wobble stitch. I used my FitNice master top pattern with a cowl neck variation. First, I decided my finished length. Then at my widest point on the pattern, I extended the side 1 inch, then drew a diagonal line from the arm through the 1 inch extension and to the hem. The one inch was too wide for me from under the arm and through the waist and I tried it on repeatedly as I was taking in the seams. Next time I make this, I’ll add 1/2 inch from underarm and taper to 3/4 inch at the widest point. I’ve worn it with a long necklace and heels to church and also with a scarf and boots. It is comfortable and I love it.


The Campbell’s Soup light was purchased in Memphis. Tennessee, in 1969 at The Shop of John Simmons. It lights up my pressing area quite well. The sewing table was purchased at Goodwill, an Ethan Allen maple table that my husband cut the legs off, cut a hole, and added a platform for my old standby, Bernina 930 Record. I keep my Baby Lock Eclipse nearby and can easily pull it towards me or push it back against the wall as needed. I’m short, 5’1″ and wanted a comfortable sewing height but we cut the legs a little short and added PVC pipe to lengthen them.
This is a view of my cutting area. It was our old 1920’s kitchen table that I painted a few years ago. When I decided to use it as a cutting table I added the three leaves which have not been painted. Eventually I’ll get around to painting them. The Ikea Raskog cart hold projects in progress. The old chair was one my Aunt had “when she set up housekeeping.” I haven’t been able to decide on a upholstery fabric so I sorta made a slip cover from a canvas drop cloth. It is pinned, stapled and draped on the chair for now. I would like to attempt to make a proper slipcover for it in 2018. The TV is sitting on a black file cabinet. Rug was purchased at Target a few years ago.
This is the view under the cutting table. The wood shelf holds fabric to be repurposed from old knit shirts and donated fabrics. I participate with the group Sew Beautiful Kentuckian which makes clothing for children in third world countries from donated fabrics. The box and bag hold my to be made t-shirt dress materials. The wire basket holds newly purchased fabric that has not been washed. The bit of red on the left is a file cabinet that slides perfectly under the raised table. Bed risers made the table a nice cutting height.
This last photo is another Raskog cart that holds all my pressing supplies. The drawers in the white cabinet hold thread scissors, and machine accessories. The gray boxes contain most frequently used patterns and additional sewing notions.
This year I had successes and failures in pattern fitting for the granddaughters. Then I discovered Little Lizard King patterns. Yahoo! Successful fit and I am off and running..
While I am not a huge fan of character clothing, the girls love My Little Pony and Minnie Mouse, so being a good Mimi, I made outfits using character fabrics. The purple dress is the Roanoke pattern by Little Lizard King. The red/blue and red/black Minnie Mouse dresses are the Blue Ribbon Dress pattern from Little Lizard King.



ent return to garment sewing for myself resulted in frustration after frustration until I took a class from Judy Kessinger, FitNice System. Judy and Lisa Niehaus took measurements and then custom fit a pattern to me. I learned so much and feel confident in my abilities to fit additional patterns and to made adaptations to the FitNice Top pattern.
I used the basic FitNice System top pattern to make this tunic. I added a cowl neckline, flare at the sides, and a shirt-tail hem. Fabric purchased at my local fabric store, Austin’s Sewing Center. I am looking forward to all the varations I can make to this fabulous fitting top pattern!

