Everything you need to know about: Know Me ME2029 Pattern
The weather is turning warmer here in the Northern Hemisphere and my latest design for Know Me Patterns, ME2029, is going to go live soon! In this article, I will be sharing everything you need to know about the Know Me ME2029 pattern.
See the ME2029 Know Me sewing pattern
What is the design inspiration behind ME2029?
Left: My original sketch for the Know Me ME2029 design. Right from top to bottom clockwise: vintage 60’s dress (unknown), vintage Mary Quant dress, vintage Paco Rabanne dress, Gucci, vintage 60’s dress (unknown), vintage 60’s dress.
Note: I tried looking up the sources for the unknown dresses but it’s been challenging! Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you know the source of any of these dresses.
Similar to my early spring design (ME2021), this spring design, the ME2029, is inspired by one of my favourite decades for fashion - the 1960s.
While my early spring design is romantic and dramatic, this spring design is practically the complete opposite. My spring sewing pattern is inspired by the British mod fashion of the mid to late 1960’s. The design lines are streamlined and simplified. But of course, I had to add my favourite design features that were often found in 1960’s mod fashion and style:
a rounded peter pan collar
a (non-functional) front button tab with large 1” buttons
patch pockets
belt
While the main design feature for this pattern is the A-line silhouette, I also couldn’t help but add a little fun and flirty option with the pleated section. The bonus to having pleats as just the bottom section rather than starting from the waist means adjusting the waist when modifying the sewing pattern to your body is WAY EASIER ;)
What is the size range available?
The Know Me Patterns are available in different range of sizes. This sewing pattern, the Know Me ME2029, is available in the following size range for sizes 8 - 26 (bust 31.5” - 48”)
The finished measurements for the dress are:
Bust: 35.5” - 52”
Waist: 26” - 42.5”
Hips (9” below true waist): 37” - 53.5”
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 fits me nicely with the following modifications to the pattern:
small bust adjustment + reduction of chest width (because I am flat-chested!)
shortening of bodice length so the waistline sits on my natural waist - my torso is also pretty short
These modifications are nothing out of the ordinary for me. These are my top 2 changes every time I sew a modern sewing pattern.
Take note that I didn’t have to make adjustments for skirt length and this skirt ends above my knees. So, if you’re tall, you might 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?
Fabric type
Your fabric choice depends on the final look you’re after. On the pattern envelope, View A (red and pink) is made with ponte knit fabric in my own design printed via Raspberry Creek Fabrics. View B (solid pink) is made with Kona Cotton in Candy Pink. Note: Kona Cotton is a quilting-weight cotton.
Considerations for View B (A-line skirt)
If I could do it all over again, I would either (a) make View B in Kona Cotton in Bubblegum pink, or (b) choose another fabric type in a lighter pink. Unfortunately, this shade of candy pink just isn’t quite the pink I originally wanted… Oh the woes of online fabric shopping!
On top of being not quite the pink I was looking for, the 100% cotton content in the Kona Cotton means … I have to press it after every wash... I don’t hate pressing but you have to admit, the ease of pulling a dress out of the wash and not having to press it before wearing feels is always welcomed.
So, if you want a very crisp look, think about the fabric content you choose for making View A.
Considerations for View A (pleated skirt)
If you are thinking about sewing View B in a heavier knit, you might have to consider the lengthwise stretch that can occur with the weight of the pleated section. The ponte de roma fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics is a 290gsm fabric and the weight of the pleats resulted in a bit of lengthwise pull on the bodice. As a result, my waistline for this floral dress ended up being 0.5” lower than I intended.
A possible solution to this conundrum is to sew the pleats (and the other contrast portions) in a lighterweight knit or even a woven. In my sewalong video, I made a version of View B (A-line skirt version) using a vintage double knit fabric for the main parts of the dress, and lightweight woven for the contrast details. No, I did not sew the pleats for that dress but it goes to show that you CAN mix wovens and knits in a single design.
If you are new to sewing with knits, don’t fret! I promise you that sewing with ponte knits and double knits is just as easy as sewing with wovens (as long as you don’t have the match the prints). A walking foot will also help depending on the type of knits. Bonus, the sleeve cap is easier to fit on the set-in sleeve with the knits!
Fabric print
Whether you like solids or prints, this sewing pattern is perfect for both! I know mixing prints may not be the thing for everyone but if you still want to go for the mod look, I suggest using a geometric and/or repeating print for the main dress (like the red repeat floral) and a solid colour for the collar and patch pocket (and the pleated skirt option if sewing View A).
That said, you can’t go wrong with choosing a solid colour too! Either a dress made in the same colour throughout or a white contrasting collar + patch pockets +/- pleats will be a stand-out choice.
Do I need any special supplies to make the ME2029 sewing pattern?
All the supplies needed to sew the ME2029 are pretty standard, like an 18” zipper and interfacing for the collar.
The more unique sewing notion needed is a couple of 1” wide buttons. I got my round buttons from Etsy and the heart-shaped ones from a local craft store when I was in Maine. (I recently found out that Joann carries the same heart-shaped buttons, lol). Because the buttons is a key design feature of this dress, take your time in picking one and don’t be afraid to embrace your quirky side!
I picked the red ones for my View A because they look like the red dots on the pink fabric. The heart-shaped ones in a more saturated pink were the obvious choice for a more basic solid dress for View B.
Lastly, since I was going for a nautical look for the dress I made in my sewalong video, I picked out buttons with an anchor motif for the dress.
Where can I buy a copy of the Know Me ME2029 sewing pattern?
As I am typing this up, the Know Me Patterns Spring collection is NOT available online yet.
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 Know Me 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?
May 12 update: The sewalong video is now live and you can watch it here. The sewalong video is basically a video tutorial. In this video, I sewed a version of View A.
As usual, there are some differences in the way I sewed it up vs the way the instructions is written. I always do it differently depending on my mood XD
Will you show more hacks and tutorials for the ME2029 sewing pattern?
Of course! For this design, I want to focus a little more on the potential of hacking the patch pockets. There are so many different ways to make it a different dress by simply changing the design of the patch pockets! I am currently in the process of drafting up different patch pocket designs that can be used interchangeably on this dress and any other sewing projects!
(P.S.: I’m also still working on the hacks for ME2021. Turns out, I don’t have superhuman abilities like I originally thought I did… but things will happen I promise!!)
Leave a comment and let me know if you have any specific questions about this sewing pattern Make sure you’re also subscribed to my Youtube channel to see all my other sewing tutorials and DIY projects! x
