By george, Team Mermaid has done it again!  Allow me to introduce you to Mama Joy.

Joy is coming out as part of Made for Mermaids’ “Dreamy Collection” and is simply stunning.  I love that it can be so dressy and so dressed down, depending on how you style it.  Plus, HELLO options!  Peplum, dress, maxi, optional zipper, two necklines, pockets…and they have some hacks coming to the blog that will take your pattern even further.   It’s perfection.

The dress portion is attached with a box pleat and Megan gives and easy tutorial on how to pleat pretty quickly and efficiently.  For those of you who hate to gather (like me!) a box pleat is such a fun change of pace!

My first Joy was made with two french terry combos.  I know, that sounds weird for a peplum style top.  But it’s cold.  Can’t you see the little streaks of snowflakes in these pictures?  COLD, I tell ya!  Since Joy was drafted for more stable fabrics, I figured french terry would be perfect.  It is.  It’s cute and you can’t tell how cozy it is.  It’s like a little secret I’m keeping to myself.

And then telling the entire internet about it.  So not a very good secret.

The peplum is so cute because it has a high-low element to it.  I am not mad about a little extra tush coverage.

And of course, I chose to use the lower scoop neckline.  I have a big bust and a big, round head.  And when things are too close to my head, it makes it look bigger and rounder.  Lower necklines are much more flattering on me.

My second Mama Joy gives me all the heart eyes.  ALL of them.  I did the dress length, lower scoop neckline, and 3/4 sleeves.  And I used a crushed gold/black velvet that I have been petting during all of my JoAnn Fabrics visits.

I mean, this fabric has been my obsession to the point that Bennett all but yelled at me to buy it.  Haha.  So glad I did.

My inlaws had a fancy Christmas party over the weekend and I wore this dress during it.  I got lots of compliments on it, and I felt super comfortable running around (perhaps with a bourbon drink in hand the whole time).  I LOVE pockets in dresses and made sure to add them in this.  It’s this weird level of comfort that you can’t get from a non-pocketed dress.

The fullness of the skirt is perfect for me.  It’s not a crazy amount of extra fabric, but it’s not skin tight either.  So all of those extra cookies I ate that evening weren’t even noticed in this dress.

That’s right ladies.  Overindulge this Christmas and as long as you’re wearing a Mama Joy, you’ll be good.  Haha.  That’s how it works, right?

It’s funny that velvets are coming back into style now.  I had no thought of “in or out” of style when I kept petting this fabric on the bolt.  It does remind me of my homecoming dress, freshman year of high school.  Totally a velvet.  With a crap ton of glitter that was falling off of the bottom as I walked around.  I’m thinking this dress will be mildly less embarrassing to look back on than my late 90’s formal attire.  Hopefully, at least.

Of course, I can’t leave you without links to everything!  Here we go!

Pattern: Mama Joy by Made for Mermaids
Fabrics: Blue Striped French Terry (similar) | Solid Navy French Terry | Gold/Black Crushed Velvet

**As always, you’ll find some affiliate links scattered within my post, which means I receive a small amount of compensation if you end up purchasing something I’ve recommended.  Thanks for helping to feed my sewing habits!