Pattern Description:
Button down shirt dress with elastic shirring on back.
Pattern Sizing:
2-16 (bust 32-46). I cut a size 10 and graded out to a 14 in the waist.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I did not have any trouble with the instructions, except a small part about how the pockets go on, but I think a more experienced sewer wouldn't have any trouble.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I wish that the waist was marked on the back dress piece. I graded out at the waist in the bodice and skirt front, and it was really hard to tell where I should add my alterations on the back. Also, I felt like the sleeves were a touch too poofy, but that's my personal preference. I narrowed the shoulders and took out some sleeve puffiness in my version.
Fabric Used:
Wool challis
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I did a 1" FBA and I added a couple inches at the waist. I also narrowed the shoulders, de-poofed the sleeves, and shortened the sleeves a bit.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
When I finally finished it, I wasn't in love with it, but now it's become a staple part of my wardrobe. I felt like the elastic in the back was really aggressively stretchy and it was pulling the button placket apart. I ended up just sewing my buttons closed there.
Conclusion:
I think I'll sew this again, but with some alterations. I am not wild about the collar or the sleeves, but I have the dress fitted to me and I might just use it as a sloper.
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Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
I'm not familiar with the pocket placement for this dress, but if they're in-seam pockets in the skirt, it could be that the top is squared off so that the top part can be included in the waist seam. This technique is pretty common and helps the pockets retain their positioning while the garment is being worn.
10/19/12 3:27 PM
That is a really smart idea! Mine didn't match up to the waist, unfortunately, but that would have made a lot more sense!
11/5/12 10:47 AM
The fit looks great in the pic, I commend you on all those alterations!
1/6/13 9:53 AM
That's looks so cute, and, dare I say, I prefer your version to gerties!!
1/6/13 10:16 AM
What a pretty dress! The color, the fit, the style--all so pretty!
1/6/13 11:03 AM
This dress is on my January sewing list so I really appreciate the review. What do you think caused the "aggressive stretchiness" of the back?
1/6/13 12:30 PM
KAHooke- I think what caused it to pull apart so much was the rows of elastic shirring in the back. It's very very stretchy. On my next ones I'll either use one less row of elastic, or I'll just make it not as wide in the back.
1/6/13 2:08 PM
Your dress looks great and thanks for the tip about the shirring. This dress is currently on my sewing table and I just finished sewing the shirring tonight so we will see!
1/7/13 0:11 AM
Oh you do the same alterations I do! ^_^ FBA and waist adjustment - yours looks great on you!!! I really like the collar and sleeves; perhaps they'll grow on you :) Thanks for the tip on the shirring, too! :)
1/7/13 1:32 AM
I was thinking about sewing this pattern....but I don't want to include the shirring not sure how to eliminate it (it seemed a bit silly if you had buttons up the front to me) so its interesting you say about the 'pull'.
1/10/13 5:31 AM
I'm currently in the middle of sewing this dress and am really wishing I had taken some puffiness out of the sleeves, since the act of setting them in is currently causing much frustration. Also, I think the fabric I chose is a little bit too crispy for this dress. But your version looks really nice, good job.
3/13/13 5:51 PM