“Gemma top/dress progress! 🧵”

More progress than expected with this toile top of the Gemma dress – and it’s wearable! 🎉

Gemma is Minerva pattern @minervadotcom and it’s a dress style. I’ve decided to test the bodice of this pattern before I cut into my fabric, also from Minerva as a Minerva Brand Ambassador.

The poppy fabric is a John Kaldor remnant from a previous Minerva project.

My main goals for toiling:
✔️ Collar not too high
✔️ Waist comfortable

Here’s what I did:
• Bodice: Size E → graded to Size G at waist
• Full bust adjustment: from B cup to C → D cup
• Lowered neckline by 2cm (checked collar length to match)
• Skirt section: 20cm long, Size G and it’s the peplum of this top.

Wins: These changes worked! 🙌

Final tweak: remove 2cm from waistband height (my waist sits lower than the pattern). So glad I tested Gemma as a top first!

What I love: these fabrics make a wearable top in my current size. ❤️

Next up: the red Gemma dress in Minerva Core Range Viscose Challis – already washed and ironed (colour didn’t run 👏). Planning knee length + short sleeves for a festive vibe. 🎄