Vogue Patterns: 7820 (Dress with inset waist)  - Type:Dresses  | | Viewed 1126 times
| 4 more reviews | Review rated Helpful by 4 people Very Helpful by 6 people | | Reviewed by: | Julia Graham | 
| About Julia Graham | | CO | | Member since: 4/12/02 | | Reviews written: 50 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 29 people | | patterns reviewed: 48 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 4/12/06 4:03 PM | | Last Updated: | 4/12/06 4:17 PM | | | | | | | | To read this review, please Login. Only registered members can read reviews written more than 6 months ago. |
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12 Comments
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Julie - you can buy the Fit for Real People direction from their website ($25) http://www.palmerpletsch.com/store/
4/12/06 4:10 PM
You are the second reviewer today of this dress, which no one had reviewed until today and which is currently in work on my sewing table! The problems I am running into are a bit different but then we have different body types, so I'm not surprised. Interesting about the waistband. I've only been working on fit issues with the cotton muslin but my fashion fabric is rayon, so thanks to your review, I will be prepared for a saggy waistband - although my waistband right now is a pretty snug fit. I think the dress looks very nice on you. The contrasting waistband and extra stitching you did give it an Asian flair,like a kimono, which I think looks very nice.
4/12/06 4:50 PM
but the strangest part is that both reviewers are called Julia!!! (I am the other reviewer) be de be de be de be de... I am not sure what to make of your front pucker. The front of mine is OK - but perhaps on me it is at the side where there is extra fabric. I will study it some more when I have washed it - and also try and take a better picture - ie one that isn't post-long-haul flight! I'm not proficient with very lightweight fabrics yet, so used cotton print which seems to be firm enough that I don't get appreciable sagging of the waistband gathers. The tendancy is still there though - and so I can see it is likely to be a real problem for very lightweight fabrics. --update 18/04/2006 I washed and ironed my version and the only thought I really have about the front pucker that you got, other than what has already been said, is that perhaps that your waistband could be too wide. I cut a petite and this happened to include reducing the width of the waistband quite a bit. The fact that you improved things by taking up the shoulders makes me wonder if the full width waistband version is too wide for most people.
4/12/06 10:26 PM
I think you're worrying too much about the red hair and magenta thing, just call it Lacroix if someone is rude enough to make a remark :-)... I like it personally, for all that's worth.
As to the puckers, yes they're visible to sewers and I see how you'd be unhappy. But you know, standards of ready to wear as so low right now that there's no way they'll register with anyone but sewers, so just don't wear it to any PR gatherings. Remind yourself also that the print is an excellent disguise, and even sewers are hardly going to know unless you point it out.
I think midriffs are extremely individual items - if you want any such band to fit, you've GOT to paper-fit it carefully and be prepared to ignore the pattern completely. If you wanted an obi effect (and matching comfort..), you should use a stiffer fabric for this kind of thing. Could you still sew in some interfacing on the inside? Anyway, even a soft fabric would need good fit there, so there isn't too much to do about it. For a first try for someone else, I'd recommend a print for both dress and matching insert, to camouflage working out the kinks.
4/13/06 3:33 AM
It is a nice style. I like the stitches on the waistband; it's a nice effect. I wouldn't worry about hair matching the dress, really. My only hesitation about the dress on you is that the contrast band cuts you in half a bit. I might get this pattern (& interface the waistband section to get more substance in the fabric).
4/13/06 6:04 AM
I really like the dress and think it's worth continuing effort. It looks like it's simply too big in front and could use some sort of small bust adjustment. Still, according to the picture, the current version looks quite wearable.
4/13/06 8:12 AM
Julia: I think the colors are fabulous! Red hair just means you can flaunt anything, right? Otherwise, why dye? I think Irina's right, it probably means a small bust adjustment (or a good push-up bra!)... I've had similar problems on patterns with similar seams and now pretty much avoid those styles. I like your idea of making this into a skirt... and I DO like the contrast fabric you've chosen, maybe keep this color in as a sash, or add a wide bottom band?
4/13/06 10:24 AM
I personally love the color combo with the hair, but I can understand why some would find it too hot for comfort. Is your little bubble on the front right where the cross over is? It looks like the underpiece is pulling up and making that bubble on the top layer. If you want to fuss, you could unstitch a bit on either side and let the layers reposition there. Meanwhile, no one will ever know except you.
4/13/06 10:50 AM
Julie--Bestwebbuys.com/books compares book prices. Powells.com has FFRP used in paperback for $16.95
4/13/06 5:54 PM
Peggy and Jan, THANKS for the book clues! I have a used copy on its way to me now. Thank God I didn't order it for $80, I'd be awfully upset! PhysicsGirl, it's true that fit is notably improved (though not perfected) with a good push-up bra, which I AM wearing in the photo. Without it... hopeless. :-)
4/13/06 10:40 PM
I'm just beginning to sew, in hopes of wearing clothes that actually fit. Your profile shows that our bodies are very similar, so it's especially helpful to read your reviews. The silhouette of this dress is one I, too, would choose, for reasons I'm sure you understand--the waist makes a nice transition between a small bodice and wider skirt. Thanks for all the details about the process.
10/28/07 11:28 AM
A wonderful review that points out possible problems. Thank you for the detailed advice. Yes , gathered waistbands do normally droop. Pleats can work better.
3/3/10 11:34 PM