Pattern Description: Knee length, fitted, sheath dress with sleeveless, cap sleeve or elbow length sleeves with french cuff, with or without bias collar, skirt has kick pleat. Front bodice with darts or with side pleats.
I had this pattern for a few years and decided it was time to make it up so I have a nice dress ready and waiting when needed. I made view E, with the elbow length sleeves and cuffs and darted front bodice and added the collar.
b>Pattern Sizing: 6-8-10-121-14-16 Someone else mentioned it- there are many pattern sheets to sort through to find your size and pieces for your version.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Absolutely.
Were the instructions easy to follow? New Look instructions are well written with good diagrams.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The retro, sexy secretary look of it appeals to me.
Fabric Used: "spongy" heavy, dark blue, rayon/polyester/lycra crepe
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No design changes- just combined two versions. Because of the fitted style I made a muslin to figure out my SBA. For New Look patterns I usually have to raise the bust dart - for this dress I have raised it by 1/4 ". I followed Vogue Sewing (2000 edition) instructions for doing the SBA. I used white nylon fusible knit interfacing for the sleeve cuffs and and pale grey lightweight weft interfacing for the neck facings only because I ran out of (or can't find) my black fusible knit interfacing. I was considering but in the end didn't fuse interfacing over the zipper area to stabilize it. I decided it would add unwanted bulk to my thick fabric. To remove excess fabric around the front neck I slashed and overlapped removing about 1/8 inch on each side of the neck on the front bodice piece.
I used buttons from my stash. If I find nicer buttons I'll exchange them. The seam at the cuff needs to be tacked to keep it from rolling out.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I highly recommend this pattern - love the collar and cuffs and it is easy to put together.
Bonnie K said... My gut feeling is that you will need to make a small tuck in the pattern at the neckline. I am smalll thru the front chest area and have to do this. Hope someone else comies along side to help if this isn't clear. 12/8/12 11:26 PM
prostheticsgirl said... Can you post a few more pictures from different angles (including the back)? Honestly I think it's really good and no non-sewing person would probably notice, but I know we're often perfectionists of fit! 12/9/12 11:59 AM
prostheticsgirl said... I'm assuming the main issue you want to address is the slight gaping at the neckline? The shoulders also look a *tiny* touch wide (upper shoulder seam placement and small creasing under the arm). I have two thoughts initially, first would be to cut the upper bodice 1/2 to 1 size smaller and just grade out below that. The other thought is to place several small tucks along the neckline. Here's a good article http://www.sewnews.com/content_downloads/Fit_for_You_Hollow_Chest_May1999.pdf. I'm sure there are many others with much better advice; I've been sewing for many years but am just now starting to work toward fine tuning fit. 12/9/12 12:10 PM
MondoVox said... I love this pattern and am so jealous every time someone makes it. Wish it came in my size but I'm not sure I could adjust it upward well enough. The details on this dress are what make it a looker. 12/18/12 0:27 AM
prostheticsgirl said... Wow, looks great! Every version I've seen of this dress is wonderful; I think I must have this pattern! 12/18/12 9:20 AM
newmama said... Love this dress! The collar and cuff details are really cute, and I like the dark blue you chose. 12/23/12 12:24 PM
jgmafpw said... Great looking dress, very flattering! 12/27/12 4:47 PM
My gut feeling is that you will need to make a small tuck in the pattern at the neckline. I am smalll thru the front chest area and have to do this. Hope someone else comies along side to help if this isn't clear.
12/8/12 11:26 PM
Can you post a few more pictures from different angles (including the back)? Honestly I think it's really good and no non-sewing person would probably notice, but I know we're often perfectionists of fit!
12/9/12 11:59 AM
I'm assuming the main issue you want to address is the slight gaping at the neckline? The shoulders also look a *tiny* touch wide (upper shoulder seam placement and small creasing under the arm). I have two thoughts initially, first would be to cut the upper bodice 1/2 to 1 size smaller and just grade out below that. The other thought is to place several small tucks along the neckline. Here's a good article http://www.sewnews.com/content_downloads/Fit_for_You_Hollow_Chest_May1999.pdf. I'm sure there are many others with much better advice; I've been sewing for many years but am just now starting to work toward fine tuning fit.
12/9/12 12:10 PM
I love this pattern and am so jealous every time someone makes it. Wish it came in my size but I'm not sure I could adjust it upward well enough. The details on this dress are what make it a looker.
12/18/12 0:27 AM
Wow, looks great! Every version I've seen of this dress is wonderful; I think I must have this pattern!
12/18/12 9:20 AM
Love this dress! The collar and cuff details are really cute, and I like the dark blue you chose.
12/23/12 12:24 PM
Great looking dress, very flattering!
12/27/12 4:47 PM