It’s One Thimble time again and I’m here today to review a pattern I am very excited about - the Azure Party dress by Ainslee Fox Boutique Patterns.

August is a frustrating month for most Australians. We generally don’t do Winter well and come August, we have had enough of the cold and are ready for the warm sunshine back. And yet the month seems to drag on and on while the world slowly turns. This dress was just the thing to get me out of my Winter sewing funk, and make me feel excited for the coming Spring.

Jen from Ainslee Fox does in my opinion, party frocks like no one else, and this pattern is no exception. It really is the ultimate girls party dress and I love it. There are a couple of different bodice options for this dress - I chose the plainer one, but an alternative option includes ruched side panels, and straps over the shoulders and down into the back, instead of the full back like I am showing here. Both versions have an invisible zip closure and Jen explains how this can be done with a normal zipper foot. I used an invisible zipper foot for mine though, because I like my foot, but if you don’t have one, the great news is, you don’t need one for this pattern.

There are a few different options for the skirt, which is really what will make girls fall in love with it. There is a single tier - like I am showing here, or a double tiered skirt and full instructions on how to do the skirt either in quilting cotton, or tulle, which we all know is every girl’s dream. I planned to do a tulle skirt on my dress but naturally could not find tulle to match my Glitz fabric that I wanted to use for the bodice, and so resorted to doing a chiffon overlay instead and I love the soft finish it brings to the dress. Jen’s instructions are easy to follow and any advanced beginner who has decided it is time to tackle an invisible zip would be able to sew this pattern up no problems.

With a great size range of 2-12 years and a super cool pieced bodice (my favourite feature) and the spot on Ainslee Fox fit, this pattern is a must as far as I’m concerned. I can see it in so many versions - dark and moody with some netting in the skirt for a girl who wants a more funky azure dress, or bright and cheery for those that like to live on the brighter side of life, or soft pastels, and pretty florals for those who like all things pretty. And the fact that it comes with the rest of the great patterns and info in One Thimble Magazine makes it even more attractive. So pop on over to the One Thimble Website for more information on how to purchase the Latest Edition, and stop by the One Thimble Facebook Group and tell Jen what your favourite thing about this edition is - I know she’d love to hear it.