Pattern Description: Knit dresses with neckline variations, cowl back neckline, sleeveless or 3/4 sleeve, elastic casing at waist.
Pattern Sizing: 6-20
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? I made fairly substantial alterations, so not really
Were the instructions easy to follow? They looked fine, but I didn't really use them.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Likes: Very simple to assemble and fit, since it is a knit and not closely fitted. Still maintains a reasonably nice shape thanks to the elastic pulling in the waist. Straight skirt makes using a border print possible. Dislikes: Not great for my short waist. Facings flip out.
Fabric Used: ITY border print knit from Walmart
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: That back cowl just looked REALLY low on all of the reviews here, so I decided to use the square neck front piece as the back and front. For the back piece, I widened the mid-back area to make it more "back" shaped as opposed to front. The front bodice I graded out at the bust as a sort of cheater FBA. I also lowered the front neckline 1/2 inch. I lengthened the skirt 5 inches, as I wanted it to reach to the bottom of my knee. As drafted, this is a pretty short skirt. I never have good luck keeping knit facings in place, and that was another issue reviewers noted with the square neck view. I tried drafting a deeper, wider facing that I squared off rather than rounded. This kept the corners of the neckline nice and tight, but the facing still sags a bit in the middle. I think lining the bodice might help here, rather than using a facing.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'm not sure I'll sew this one again. I don't think that it is very flattering to my short waisted figure, and there are lots of nice knit dresses out there that are. It was an easy sew though and is very comfortable to wear, so I would recommend it to others.
Conclusion: This really is a cute, easy dress, but if you are using the square neckline, I just don't see any way to keep those facings where they belong short of a ton of topstitching or a full lining. |
You look beautiful in this dress - am sure you did wow your date
2/14/13 8:51 PM
Lovely.
2/15/13 3:23 AM
Such a pretty dress.
2/15/13 6:16 AM
Great looking dress-and a bonus that the fabric was such a steal!
2/15/13 3:21 PM
I love the way you used the border print. Thanks for mentioning that you are short-waisted--I don't pay enough attention to those things, but I am too, so I will steer clear of this pattern based on your opinion. I do think it's cute the way you have it styled.
2/16/13 6:42 PM
Pretty dress! Love the floral fabric.
2/24/13 9:58 AM