Pattern Description:
An ingenious one-piece dress from the book Drape Drape by Hisako Sato. Every pattern in this book is a gem - although some are not for the faint hearted!
Pattern Sizing:
It's Japanese - so small. I made the M/L - I'm a UK size 10 (US 6) although I did end up taking off about an inch from the back seam.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, absolutely. Although my fabric is nicer!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Any instructions are in Japanese - but the diagram is pretty clear. It's a very simple make anyway - with the one piece there's only a small amount of actual sewing.
I started by creating a facing for the neck - I had made a muslin and the neck had a tendency to flick over and show the internal back seam. All my seams are overlocked so it just didn't look very nice.
Seam 1 - Facing was attached to the neckline.
Seam 2 - the underarms were folded back and hemmed.
Hand gathering stitches were then applied to what were to become the shoulder seam,
Seam 3/4 - shoulders attached to the main body
Hand gathering stitches were applied to the where the skirt joins the torso
Seam 5/6 - those waist gathers were joined
Seam 7 - straight up the back
Seam 8 - hemming the bottom
That was it. It took about 2 hours in total (after I had photocopied and cut out the pattern piece from the book - to be highly recommended, I hate tracing).
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I am really pleased with it - I even wore it my work Christmas party at the Park Lane Hotel, London - very posh!
Fabric Used:
A lovely digitally printed viscose jersey from Stone Fabrics. I think it looks like a nebula as photographed by the Hubble Telescope.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Length. I added about 10 cm to the bottom and about 5 cm within the torso. And I'm only 5'3". These pattern direct from the book are for ladies who like to show a bit of leg!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I love this dress. Everyone should make it. Make it now. What are you waiting for? Are you still here?
velosewer said... Love your pattern work and this dress is great. 12/8/12 5:25 AM
velosewer said... Love your pattern work and this dress is great. 12/8/12 5:35 AM
a life in stitches said... So good. Well done! 12/8/12 5:37 AM
sandramary said... Photocopying the pattern sheet and cutting out is sheer genius! How come I never thought of that, I hate tracing! I am guessing that Drape Drape 3 has seam allowance included in the pattern like 1 and 2? 12/8/12 5:45 AM
mm said... What an amazing dress. You look fantastic in it. 12/8/12 6:45 AM
Rebecca D said... Looks great and I have saved this review in my favorites when I get to this dress. Thanks for a very helpful review. 12/8/12 8:55 AM
miausiau said... I love a big blob that turns into a marvelous garment! 12/8/12 3:04 PM
Levone said... Wow, great dress! I can't believe that that was made from one pattern piece! 12/8/12 9:43 PM
TracyTheMaterialGirl said... Thanks everyone. Sandramary - the dress is from Drape Drape book 1 (dress number 3) - but, yes, seam allowance was included which did puzzle me for a couple of minutes as most Japanese patterns you do need to add it. 12/9/12 5:32 AM
punkmik said... stunning make! i thought it looked like space too! so pretty and funky! 12/9/12 10:04 AM
petro said... Yes, I love it and should make it, as I have it in the pile of to do projects. Inspired choice of fabric too. 12/9/12 10:33 AM
Jstarr4250 said... All around fabulous dress. I love it! 12/9/12 11:13 AM
becca a said... Wow! Gorgeous dress! 12/9/12 3:16 PM
Love your pattern work and this dress is great.
12/8/12 5:25 AM
Love your pattern work and this dress is great.
12/8/12 5:35 AM
So good. Well done!
12/8/12 5:37 AM
Photocopying the pattern sheet and cutting out is sheer genius! How come I never thought of that, I hate tracing! I am guessing that Drape Drape 3 has seam allowance included in the pattern like 1 and 2?
12/8/12 5:45 AM
What an amazing dress. You look fantastic in it.
12/8/12 6:45 AM
Looks great and I have saved this review in my favorites when I get to this dress. Thanks for a very helpful review.
12/8/12 8:55 AM
I love a big blob that turns into a marvelous garment!
12/8/12 3:04 PM
Wow, great dress! I can't believe that that was made from one pattern piece!
12/8/12 9:43 PM
Thanks everyone. Sandramary - the dress is from Drape Drape book 1 (dress number 3) - but, yes, seam allowance was included which did puzzle me for a couple of minutes as most Japanese patterns you do need to add it.
12/9/12 5:32 AM
stunning make! i thought it looked like space too! so pretty and funky!
12/9/12 10:04 AM
Yes, I love it and should make it, as I have it in the pile of to do projects. Inspired choice of fabric too.
12/9/12 10:33 AM
All around fabulous dress. I love it!
12/9/12 11:13 AM
Wow! Gorgeous dress!
12/9/12 3:16 PM