Everything you need to know about: Know Me ME2021 Pattern
The cat is out of the bag! I am so excited that my Early Spring design for Know Me Patterns, the ME2021, is now live! This is a little project that I have been quietly working on in the last year. In this article, I will be sharing everything you need to know about the Know Me ME2021 pattern!
What are the key design features of the ME2021?
If you have been here for a hot minute, you’ll know that I have always been into vintage-inspired style. This dress is primarily inspired by vintage bell sleeve mini dresses from the 60’s and 70’s.
Obviously, the sleeves and the bows (especially the one on the front) are the main characters of this design. But I also added a few extra sweet details to make this the cutest sewing pattern you can sew this spring.
sweetheart neckline on the front
a low-key sexy V-neckline on the back
a bow on the front and the option for a bow on the back
More importantly, the empire waistline and the classic A-line skirt silhouette are meant to give the ME2021 sewing pattern an endless amount of hacking potential. More of that in a bit ;)
What is the size range available?
The Know Me Patterns are available in different range of sizes. My pattern is available in the following size range:
Bust: 31.5” - 48”
Waist: 24” - 41”
Hips (9” below true waist): 33.5” - 50”
The finished measurements for the dress are:
Bust: 35” - 51.5”
Waist: 26".5” - 43”
Hips: 42” - 58.5”
What size did you use when sewing your dresses? Did you make adjustments?
For reference, my height and measurements is as follows:
Height: 157cm / 5’ 2”
Bust: 31.5”
Waist: 26”
Hips: 36.5”
Size 8, with its finished measurements of B = 35” W = 26.5” H = 42”, fits me nicely with the following modifications:
small bust adjustment
shortened sleeve length
That means, if you’re tall and don’t like it mini, then you’ll have to consider lengthening the dress! If you’re picky about the fit of a dress, always make a muslin.
What are the fabrics recommended to sew the Know Me ME2021?
As always, your fabric choice depends on the final look you’re after. On the pattern envelope, View A (orange dress with bishop sleeves) is made with a quilting cotton. View B (hot pink dress with bell sleeves) is made with crepe-back satin with the crepe side on the outside (so, satin-back crepe? ha).
In my sewalong video for this sewing pattern, I made a version of View A in a thrifted bedsheet, which is a cotton blend with a little bit more drape. The side-by-side comparison towards the end of the video shows a slight difference (from 17:42 of the video). Honestly, it’s very tricky to show it in video but there is a difference. Basically, If you’d like bishop sleeves to stay looking round with movement, then a fabric with more structure like quilting cotton will work better.
If you’d like to be a disco dancing queen, then a “slinky” fabric like rayon and satin will be perfect for View B (bell sleeves). If you want to go ALL OUT and use this sewing pattern to make the ultimate party dress, then I suggest making View B (bell sleeves) in a contrast fabric like organza or chiffon.
YES!!!!! I made this little black dress version of my ME2021 by using organza to sew the sleeves and the body of the bow. I used crepe for everything else (including the bow ends).
And why yes, of course I am planning to sew another version with chiffon sleeves!!!
Do I need any special supplies to make the ME2021 sewing pattern?
All the supplies needed to sew the ME2021 are pretty standard, like an 18” zipper, and interfacing for the bow and the neckline.
The interfacing that I used to make these dresses is the Pellon 911FF fusible interfacing. It’s my favourite go-to interfacing!
If you are opting to sew the bow on the back, then you’ll have to get a couple of plastic snap-on buttons. I like using these transparent snap-on buttons because they are less visible than a regular metal snap-on button. That way, the dress can be worn with or without the bow! I shared some tips on snap-on button placement in my sewalong video (from 16:17) , so make sure you catch that too!
(Note: This is an Amazon affiliate link and I earn a commission if you purchase through the link)
Remember video featuring the dress with the detachable collar that I made? I used the same plastic snap-on buttons in that earlier sewing project!
How long does it take to sew the Know Me ME2021?
Personally, it took me about a day to sew each dress. This includes cutting the fabric. That said, my day would have to start at 8AM BUT I would still make time to eat and walk my dogs! Batching the process is key.
But of course, there’s no need to rush! When filming the sewalong video, I took about 2.5 days from cutting to finishing while filming at the same time.
(The time it took to edit the video is another story 😆)
Where can I buy a copy of the Know Me ME2021 sewing pattern?
As I am typing this up, the Know Me Patterns Early Spring collection is only available online. You can get a copy of my design, ME2021 here.
Of course, the patterns will be available in-store at Joann sometime in the future!
For sewing friends based in the UK and Europe, I have found the older Fall designs available on The Fold Line, Jaycotts, and Sew Direct. Hopefully the Early Spring line will be available on those websites soon!
Will you have a video sewalong for this sewing pattern?
Yes and it’s already live! You can watch the sewalong video on the Know Me Patterns Youtube channel here. The sewalong video is basically a video tutorial. In this video, I am sewing a version of View A.
The sewalong video is great if you’re a visual learner or if you’re just curious about how I like to put a dress together. Honestly, every time it’s different 😆.
There are some differences in the way I sewed it up vs the way the instructions is written. Different folks, different strokes!
The version of Know Me ME2021 I made in the sewalong video
Will you show more hacks and tutorials for the ME2021 sewing pattern?
YES YES YES!! As we are speaking, I have 3 hacked version of the ME2021 made! I have plans to make at least 2 more. I’ll be sharing more hacks and tutorials on the blog in good time.
Some hacks of the Know Me ME2021 sewing pattern I have done so far… still need to hem the sleeves of that white one…
Leave a comment and let me know if there’s anything specific you’ll like to see! Make sure you’re also subscribed to my Youtube channel to see all my other sewing tutorials, DIY projects, and everyday fun. x
