StyleArc: Nikki Dress (Nikki Dress) - Type:Dresses  | | Viewed 365 times
| | Review rated Very Helpful by 7 people | | Reviewed by: | Robin Denning | 
 | About Robin Denning | | MD USA | | Member since: 6/24/04 | | Reviews written: 70 | | Favored by: 29 people | | patterns reviewed: 63 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 1/7/13 5:48 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
StyleArc Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Difficult, but great for Advanced Sewers | | | | Fabric: | Silk [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
Breezy button front dress with gathers from front and back yokes, roll-up sleeve with button & tab, optional tie belt
Rated: Challenging
Pattern Sizing:
6 - 30
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Not really. The instructions for Style Arc patterns are sparse, although they have been getting better. Now that I think about it, this is one of the first Style Arc patterns I bought, back when the instructions were very thin.
Since I already knew how to sew a shirt I expected it to be easier. But figuring out the placket and the little bar at the bottom of the tab was tricky and I had to pick it out and do it over.
The sleeve extensions also puzzled me. I sewed them on wrong as it turned out, and in this photo, the wrong side of the fabric is showing. I picked that out and re-sewed it so that the sleeve extension piece is attached like a facing, and then folded up.
You can see the revised sleeve here. I really don't think it was worth the effort to re-sew that, so don't be like me and spend extra time being a perfectionist!
The dress is super flattering because the fabric is so drapey - it just skims the body.Here is a side shot.
I have this crystal-type necklace that really looks pretty on the dress because it adds some sparkle, I mean it is already so over-the-top, why not twinkle, too? twinkle!
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Now that I have figured it out, I like it. The instructions were a little vague, but the pattern itself is great. I did notice a mistake - on the cover art, it shows 5 buttons, with 4 on the placket and one on the collar stand. The pattern includes template to indicate where the buttons are to be sewn - and it shows 5 buttons on the placket. I merrily sewed the buttons and buttonholes on the placket, then noticed I needed a 6th button for the collar stand. I had to go out and buy one more button.
Fabric Used:
Devore silk, also called burnout silk.
This was, absolutely, what made the project such a challenge. Burnout silk has stable areas that are like charmeuse, and it also has areas that are like chiffon, and boy those chiffon parts will stretch on you! When you sew it, you have to just ease it back into place. It also frays if you even breathe on it, so those narrow seam allowances made it a challenge to sew the thing up before it could disintegrate on me. But, I am not complaining - I knew that going into it and I just loved the fabric so much I was willing to torture myself. I am glad I did.
It's a funny thing how fragile silk can seem while you are cutting and sewing, but in my experience, silk holds up very well to lots of wearings.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
no design changes, just altered to fit me. I always have to add to the back length between nape of neck and waist, and make a forward should adjustment. There is a shoulder seam in the yoke, which made me buy the pattern. My shoulders slope half-way and then go out square half-way. I always sew a curved shoulder seam to follow my shoulder shape, so for me that shoulder seam is good to have.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
It is a classic design & it is definitely worth sewing again, although personally I do not like the way the rollup sleeves feel. I'd change that out to a different sleeve.
Conclusion:
Worth every second it took - I will wear this on the boardwalk at the beach with flip-flops and out to a fancy restaurant with a tux jacket (my next project). This is a pretty versatile dress, despite the loud fabric.
There are a few more pictures on my blog if you are interested.
Did I mention I absolutely love Style Arc patterns. Nothing fits me as well as a Style Arc. With only a few adjustments, every pattern I've tried has been a good one.
|
|
 Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
<< Previous Next >>
11 Comments
Login to Add a Comment |
|
|Login|Help]
Great dress and love it teamed with the black tights. Lovely.
1/7/13 6:00 PM
What a lovely dress. Great fabric and great sewing.
1/7/13 6:12 PM
Gorgeous dress!
1/7/13 6:55 PM
Nice dress in a great fabric.
1/7/13 9:58 PM
Fabulous versatile dress!
1/7/13 10:18 PM
Great dress, and it looks fantastic.
1/8/13 1:54 AM
Love the dress and love the review! I find Style Arc patterns to fit beautifully too. Look forward to seeing the tux jacket.
1/8/13 7:15 AM
A great dress. I can see possibilities in this pattern myself.
1/8/13 10:52 AM
Absolutely gorgeous dress - that silk couldn't be matched to that pattern more perfectly! :)
1/9/13 10:55 AM
Thank you for another great review, very helpful, your dress looks fabulous, love your choice if fabric also.
1/10/13 0:45 AM
Great dress, Robyn. I love the fabric. It's so cheerful!
1/12/13 3:50 AM