Pattern Description: My description: An fitted empire line knit dress with batwing sleeves.
Pattern Sizing: 34-46
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? The lines of the dress are similar, but I created a ''party'' look by using different colour/types of fabric.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, but I tend to use a variety of resources when sewing, so I don't rely too heavily on Burda instructions.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I was surprised to find that I really like this high-waist/empire line look on me. Also pleased that I was able to add room to top but not make it too overwhelming - see modifications below.
Fabric Used:
Batwing top - a printed stretch knit that Goosegreen also showed excellent taste in purchasing. Apparently this fabric was well featured at the 2012 Australian Sewing Guild conference My friend Melissa also bought some. We all bought it at Alexandria (Sydney)...sorry, but I don't think there's any left....
Skirt - black ponte with great recovery, from Tessuti's in Surry Hills (Sydney).
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: - Via paper fitting, I could tell I needed a longer bodice/more fabric in the top...but I was loathe to try fiddling with a batwing FBA!!! So, I traced a size 20 US (46 Eur.) fror the shoulders and tapered the underarm section down to a size 12 (38 Eur). It worked brilliantly - I have good coverage without too much voluminous fabric flapping under the arms/ at skirt join. - Left off the centre gather bar for bodice. It looked fussy...I just whip stitched the front seam to prevent wardrobe malfunctions.
- Omitted the zip. I can easily pull this on and off, over my head.
- The shoulder gathering with flimsy fabric was made easier by zig-zagging over dental floss and pulling the floss to evenly gather along the shoulders.
- Lengthened front darts approx 2 inches to remove ''poochiness' over stomach
- Used self binding to finish sleeve hems
- Left the skirt hem''raw''....the ponte is too thick to make a smooth hem. I need to go back and even up some slightly wonky hem line sections.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and Yes
Conclusion:
This is an easy dress to dress up or down...and to dance in!
Sharonspils said... Fantastic party dress! 12/2/12 7:26 PM
bananaoil said... I really like your fabric choice. Perfect match to the pattern. 12/2/12 7:57 PM
norie creates said... Gorgeous fabric. I can see why it was so popular! Love your dress! 12/2/12 8:57 PM
goosegreen said... I love that fabric LOL. But guess what? I found it in pink at Addicted to Fabric in Canberra. ;)
Love your dress Anne. 12/2/12 9:15 PM
no7262 said... Looks so cute! Nora :) 12/2/12 9:19 PM
velosewer said... Great dress Anne. 12/2/12 9:45 PM
Jstarr4250 said... Very lovely on you. Great idea to use two fabrics. 12/3/12 6:42 AM
Amanda.Claire said... You did good! This is a super cute dress. 12/3/12 8:52 AM
sewbehind said... Very pretty dress. I love the two colours together. 12/3/12 9:59 AM
Sue Anfang said... Gorgeous, love it!! 12/3/12 1:43 PM
margy.64 said... Love the look of this dress. Great effect using the two contrasting fabrics. You have inspired me to try something similar. 12/3/12 9:31 PM
Fantastic party dress!
12/2/12 7:26 PM
I really like your fabric choice. Perfect match to the pattern.
12/2/12 7:57 PM
Gorgeous fabric. I can see why it was so popular! Love your dress!
12/2/12 8:57 PM
I love that fabric LOL. But guess what? I found it in pink at Addicted to Fabric in Canberra. ;) Love your dress Anne.
12/2/12 9:15 PM
Looks so cute! Nora :)
12/2/12 9:19 PM
Great dress Anne.
12/2/12 9:45 PM
Lovely dress, Anne!
12/2/12 10:30 PM
Beautiful dress!
12/3/12 2:00 AM
Very lovely on you. Great idea to use two fabrics.
12/3/12 6:42 AM
You did good! This is a super cute dress.
12/3/12 8:52 AM
Very pretty dress. I love the two colours together.
12/3/12 9:59 AM
Gorgeous, love it!!
12/3/12 1:43 PM
Love the look of this dress. Great effect using the two contrasting fabrics. You have inspired me to try something similar.
12/3/12 9:31 PM