Date: 11/4/09 6:50 AM

Has anyone seen any patterns resembling this:



I really like the style and it looks like it would adapt well to an FBA. I saw one in a local shop that has black in the middle and colours down the side and there is some gorgeous wool-mix jersey in our local fabric shop...

Thanks!
Katie

Date: 11/4/09 2:15 PM

I think if you have a t-shirt pattern you already made (and fitted) you can do this yourself.

Before beginning, it would be a good idea to go into the shops and take a more detailed look at the dress. Maybe even trying it on? I know I'm attracted to looks that make me look like either a Poor Little Orphan or a Dumpling.

Moving on. So now you know what the dress looks like IRL.

First, lengthen to dress size if it's a pattern for a top.

Notice that the middle band is not gathered but the side front pannels are, right under/around the bustline; they are gathered on both sides, middle (band) seam and side seam with the back.

So you slash a strip vertically down the middle of the dress front. On your example, looks like 10-15 cm wide. This is the middle band.

Now you have a Side Front piece too. Create the gathers.

Gathering, as you may already know, is basically slashing the pattern pieces in strips and spreading them out on the fabric. I think the usual ration is 1.5x to 2.5x the original length. Someone correct me.

You then do two rows of long stitches and pull them to "shrink" the fabric back to the length of the middle band and back pieces.

You attach the Side Fronts to the Middle Band and then finish the t-shirt dress as usual. HTH and Good luck!

Edited for clarity and bad English
-- Edited on 11/4/09 2:22 PM --

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Fashion Maté, where I blog about what I (eventually) sew : http://fashionmate.blogspot.com

Date: 11/6/09 3:44 PM

You are spot on about trying things on - I know I look at clothes on the hanger and say "ooh lovely" and they do NOT suit!

That definitely looks like something I could handle, though, will see if I can try it...

Date: 11/6/09 4:28 PM

hi, i think you might like M5747 it is a t shirt dress with the part down the front, i think you can use the front band as a pattern to slash and spread the two front sides then cut , bast/gather the two sides parts and sew them to the reg. front band. sorry just looked at pic again, if you like you could modify a over sized tee that is to long as well by trying on and marking the shirt just below bust line the width of the center band you like + seam al. all the way down the shirt ( only on the front band) then run a line of basting stitches down outside this line , cut up both sides to the markings and gather the basting lines so each side is the length you like then cut the center band that length + hem and sew, not having seam al. on the gathered edges should take up excess room in the shirt and give you this dress.
-- Edited on 11/6/09 4:36 PM --

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if a little voice inside says dont buy that fabric you have so much, you know your not pushing the cart with the loud wheel to the cutting counter fast enough!

Date: 11/6/09 4:29 PM

I know Simplicity has a top with a front panel and side ruching. Of course I cant find pattern no. at moment !

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.....Behold, a wonder did appear;
Amazement was my bliss.......

Date: 11/6/09 4:45 PM

Simplicity 3536 is similar. However, I will confess that I attempted the lengthen this into a dress and it was an utter disaster. Bottom line, you'll need to multiply your desired finished length for the dress about three times for the length of your overlay piece. I didn't have enough fabric, and also the pieces got insanely unwieldy at some point in the gathering process. If you figure it out, please let us know!

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http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com
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2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+
So close to parity, yet so far

Trying again in 2008
Yards purchased: 133
Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95

2009? I give up

Date: 11/7/09 12:25 PM

I tried on a similar tunic today which has the gathers around the bust, only, and if it had been big enough for me, it would be flattering (!).

So I think the McCalls one is probably the solution, it seemed very slightly flared below the waist but I can accomplish that. It is colourblocked (black in the middle and back, patterned elsewhere) so I am going for that effect, though may just have black down the middle. But without the zip!

(Incidentally if you are in the UK, Jaycotts seems to have 50% off all McCalls, not sure if this is a special or their usual price!)
-- Edited on 11/7/09 12:26 PM --

Date: 2/4/10 6:40 AM

I'd just like to report that I have now made this dress. My review is up and here's a picture:



You can probably see the gathers on the FBA at the front!
I think I'm wearing it a little askew... it is straight, honest!