We are really excited to have partnered with several amazing makers in our community for the launch of the Holmes Dress! These community models are going to help us showcase the pattern on various bodies and in different fabrics!
About Our Community Models: This is a paid partnership. We work with the models to help decide which size to make and which fabric to use. They are sewing the final version of the pattern and they are not pattern testers. The intention is to have them showcase the pattern in their size and in a fabric that suits their personal style. They are also welcome and encouraged to make adjustments. If you are interested in becoming a community model for our future patterns, please feel free to reach out to us at support@helensclosetpatterns.com. We would love to hear from you!
Holmes Dress Community Model: Shirley
(@spworkspace, photography by @shdressler)
Shirley is an awesome sewist who is always making and sharing her projects on her social media. She has some of the best photos of makes we have ever seen thanks to her daughter, Sarah, who takes all her amazing pictures! Shirley is very active in the online sewing community and is often showcasing, testing, and previewing new indie patterns. This means a lot to us designers! Thank you, Shirley!
Measurements: 32.5” bust / 26.5” waist / 36.5” hip (82.5 cm / 67.3 cm / 92.7 cm)
Height: 5’7” (170 cm)
Size: 4
Adjustments: Raised ’V’ neckline up 5/8” (1.6 cm), took in the shoulder seams 3/8” (1 cm), added 1” (2.5 cm) to the hem ruffle length and made the hem ruffle less gathered/voluminous (due to fabric constraints).
Fabric: Indian block printed cotton (more details below)
View: A (longer dress)
From Shirley:
I love how this dress turned out! When I was in the district of Kachchh in India I was able to visit the village of Dhamadka and got to see first hand how ajrakh block printing is done. These fabrics were purchased at the artisan's site (Abdul Jabbar Mohammad Khatri). He is renowned for his prowess as a block printer. The fabrics are block printed using natural dyes on cotton fabric. It is a multi step process taking many days to complete. I have used a combination of prints to make this dress. My buttons were even made and bought in India at a button wholesaler!
I had so much fun playing with my fabrics to piece this together. The construction of the dress is really simple so you don't have to worry about being bogged down in difficult steps! The only thing you may have to be mindful of is that the neckline is low; this can be adjusted easily using Helen's instructions included in the pattern. I raised mine by 5/8" (1.6 cm) but could have gone a bit higher. There are no tricky parts! Even the neckline binding and button plackets are very straightforward. I didn't have quite the required fabric for the hem ruffle but I don't think it is noticeable! This dress can be made as plain or as fancy as you like! I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did! As Helen said to me "It is really a dream dress!"
Our Thoughts
My jaw hit the floor when I saw Shirley’s dress! The combination of different fabrics in this red colour scheme is so gorgeous. I love block prints and so this dress really does look like something out of a dream. Not to mention the beautiful photos in this winter setting. I was so grateful to Shirley for braving the cold to get these great shots!
It is really cool to see how she played with placing different fabrics in different areas on the dress. I had not really considered colour blocking with this design but now my mind is buzzing with ideas! I especially love the use of the border print on the hem ruffle. The sleeves are another area where a border print would work well because the hem is straight.
We make a point of saying that you can increase or decrease the hem ruffle volume to suit your personal preferences or your fabric width and constraints. This is a great example of a less full hem ruffle!
Holmes has a low neck and Shirley opted to raise it a bit (5/8” / 1.6 cm) following the neckline adjustment instructions included in the pattern booklet. It’s easy to do and you get the perfect neckline depth for you!
Thank you Shirley! We love your Holmes Dress!
The Holmes Dress and the Lazo Jumpsuit are both on sale this week for 25% off! No coupon code required. If you purchase both patterns during the sale, you get an additional 10% off! Coupon code automatically applies at checkout. Sale ends March 18, 2026.
Shop the Holmes Dress and Lazo Jumpsuit
