The Matilda Shirtdress by Megan Nielsen : my first magazine article!

Posted on by Sew Sarah Smith

Sewing World magazine

Hi!

Please indulge me – I wanted to share two things with you; my excitement over my first published sewing magazine article and it’s subject matter – my Matilda Shirtdress from Megan Nielsen! I popped along to the newsagents the other day and picked up the January edition of Sewing World magazine because… look! Inside there’s me! Appearing rather more put together than the version of me who stood outside the newsagents clutching said magazine in her be-gloved hands, wrapped up from head to toe and stamping her feet to avoid frostbite, it has to be said!

Sew Sarah smith husband

I received the email* asking if I would like to contribute an article way back in the summer of last year whilst I was in the States. (I remember running into the room where my husband was napping to tell him the news before turning on my heel and legging it back to the kitchen to pour myself about a pint-sized glass of wine to celebrate!)

I couldn’t start on the project until we’d returned to the UK and I ended up sewing it in a bit of a mad rush so I could wear it to the Great British Sewing Bee Live show in September. I think I submitted the article somewhere around the same time. And then had to do what I don’t do very well…keep schtum!

What’s the best sewing magazineAs for the magazine itself, I think Sewing World has had something of a rebrand lately; the styling and content is refreshing and looks clean and polished; much more likely to appeal to contemporary sewists, I feel. It’s got your usual mix of crafty makes thrown in too but even they look like projects suited to the modern sewer as well as your granny! Overall, I felt really honoured to have my own contribution within its pages!

I love all the possibilities Matilda offers to personalise the design – I merely opted to use contrast fabric peeking out from the inner collar stand and the underside of the breast pocket flap. Also, the instructions are fantastic; the Matilda is my first pattern from the Megan Nielsen collection and this is one reason it won’t be my last – I used the burrito method for the first time ever when sewing up the yoke following Megan’s instructions which made it an absolute doddle. Not forgetting there’s a full online sew-a-long for this dress too. It’s not a quick sew, by virtue of all the pieces, but it’s an immensely gratifying one. And of course it offers the option for lots and lots of lovely topstitching to emphasise the design lines of the pattern…I  lurve me some topstititching!

The full detailed review, as well as being published in the mag, has also now been published on the Minerva Craft blog, so you can head THERE to read it.

If you’re interested in the supplies I used, they were:

Megan Nielsen Matilda Shirtdress review

Matilda Shirtdress by Megan Nielsen
Wow, look…bare arms and not a woolly hat or scarf in sight!

I do love the dress and I highly recommend the pattern! Again, I feel I learned a lot making this dress but by no means do I think I perfected it but it’s not just for that reason I want to make it again! Again, you can access the full review and an online copy of the full article over on Minerva Crafts blog HERE.

Until next time, happpy stitching!

Find me on Instagram here

*I was sent all the supplies from Minerva Crafts to make the dress for the Sewing World magazine article. By no means has this influenced my judgement; any opinions I express are always 100% genuine. Scouts honour 😉

Pssst – Yey! There’s a 10% discount at Girl Charlee UK – just enter my promo code SEWSARAH at checkout!

27 thoughts on “The Matilda Shirtdress by Megan Nielsen : my first magazine article!”

  3. Congratulations published sewing author! I’m off to buy Sewing World today because I need to read that review! Love the fit you’ve managed to achieve on this dress, it’s gorgeous. x

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  4. wow, this is so amazing!! that dress fits like a glove, absolutely love it and congratulations, so exciting!!!

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  5. Congratulations for having your sewing article published! Your dress is gorgeous in that color you used, it suits you well. I think the fit is perfect!

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  8. Hehehe thanks Diane! I’m still obsessing about taking some length out of the upper Bodice though between shoulder and upper chest…I’m petite in that measurement…too much fabric there makes it seem wider than it might otherwise do..do you know what I mean? Xxx

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  11. Thanks Sarah. Do you frame your published ones?! I know exactly what you mean, most sewing mags aren’t great are they. I like the styling of this one better. At least the cover model looks good! I hate it when you pick up a mag and even the model on the front cover looks naff. For the most part the clothes look ill fitting even on the models and I just don’t find that particularly inspiring!
    I made the dress to arch my favourite beverage – it hides spillages 🍷
    Thanks love!! Xx

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  13. Petite bodice Adjustment adding the length back it at the waist? I like to faff Suzy!!!! But thank you so much, you’re so kind and supportive! I think you might have to make it Suzy!!! Xxx

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  14. Thanks Lynne!!! Ah you should sew yours up when Spring comes around maybe. I can see this pattern really suiting you. I think next time I’ll take out maybe half an inch through the upper body as a Petite Bodice Adjustment (I’ll need to add it back in at the waist as although I’m petite I’m longer there!) – I mention it as I think we’re similar heights?! Xx

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  15. Hahaha I did warn him I was sticking his picture in but since he’s hiding under his hat he was OK with it! Thanks honey – still feel I need to take length out at the upper bodice and add it back in at the waist…still feels like there’s excess there! Xxx

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  16. Loved reading this post! Congratulations on the article, and on your lovely dress. Having seen you wearing it, I can confirm that it looks just as fabulous in real life as it does in the photos! The fit is spot on, and the details are a thing of beauty. Also, hello Mr SewSarahSmith, nice hat!! Xxx

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  17. Wowsers! Your dress is brilliant, and I absolutely love the colours. I have this pattern too, and am hoping the princess seams are also forgiving with the fit. And contgratulations on being published! That’s amazing!

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  18. Well, I can´t see what you might do to make it better! It´s perfect and a beautiful fit. So happy about your magazine article, with your talent for writing I´m sure it will be the first of many. I have only one problem with this dress…it makes me want to make one and I am trying not to buy patterns! Seriously though, very very well done! xxx

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  21. Yayyyyyy 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
    So proud of your first article – let’s hope it’s the first of many! Good to hear the mag has had a rebrand, a lot of the sewing magazines we have here in the U.K. are, well, a bit dowdy 🙈
    Love the colour fabric you’ve chosen for the dress 😍 you could wear it all year round over a long sleeved top!
    Congrats – so well deserved 😘

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  22. That’s soo exciting Sarah! I’m so happy for you! The dress is adorable and the fabric that you used looks divine 😍😍. Such a rich colour! ❤❤❤ Buttons+main fabric+floral fabric=❤

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