Burda: 7253 (dress) - Type:Dresses  | | Viewed 371 times
| 1 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 4 people | | Reviewed by: | BlossomKyle | 
 | About BlossomKyle | | NJ USA | | Member since: 3/16/08 | | Reviews written: 117 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 44 people | | patterns reviewed: 115 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 11/24/12 10:37 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
Burda Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Recommend, with Modifications | | See other patterns in this category: Dresses | Available for sale on PR: $8.96 (See envelope)  | | | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
50's style retro dress, belt & jacket. An incredibly carefree and happy Donna Reed type woman is wearing an orange dress on the envelope front which had me wanting the pattern immediately!!
Pattern Sizing:
10-24. I sewed the dress size 14 grading to 16, but I probably should have graded to 18 if only for peace of mind because I was quite worried that I wouldn't have enough hip room. It turned out to be ok but wasn't worth the angst.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I made the dress in black, not orange, and I messed up on pattern placement and the fabric right/wrong side, so my tab neckline is actually on my right collarbone and not my left.
I did not make the matching belt.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I made this a month ago so sadly I don't remember if the directions were easy or not. But I do remember my angst over the hips and also my angst over some side seam puckering I had. I do not recall directional angst.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
LOVED the 50's inspired design and cinching at the waist with the belt (which I did not make).
LOVED the tab collarband.
LOVED the button on the collar band.
LOVED the gathering.
LOVED the pegged skirt.
And frankly, I LOVED the black rose button I used.
Picture of closeup of collar band and button.
And LOVED using my serger to do the gathering. I just learned how to do that this summer (via the PR online serger class) and that was pretty fun. Much easier than basting stitches and pulling.
DISLIKE: There was a ton of ease in the upper back which I eliminated. Also I basted the CB seam first and found I did not need to install a zipper. I'm really glad I didn't install the zip first as I think after cinching with the belt, a zipper would have bulged in an odd way with all that extra room in the upper back. I don't know if that extra room up there was supposed to encourage the "blousing" effect once the belt was on, but I didn't like the look.
DISLIKE: my sideseam puckering which i think was a combo of user error and fabric choice. I don't blame the pattern for that.
Mildly DISLIKED inserting the collar band into the dress. It's a little futzy to get the gathers "just so" and the collar band and tab on there.
Fabric Used:
Joann's Amaretto linen-look fabric in black. Not a natural thing about that fabric, which I usually like because it keeps wrinkling down generally and I don't like looking like a wrinkled mess. However I had that side seam puckering....
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
1. Did not install zipper (as per above)
2. Reduced upper back width (as per above)
3. Tab goes to right side instead of left side (as per my chirality error).
4. Used store bought belt instead of making the belt.
5. I shortened the dress first in the bodice and then in the skirt. It is supposed to be worn below the knee but I don't think that style looks good on me so I hemmed to above the knee.
6. I added a kickpleat (instead of the back slit. I just don't like back slits).
7. I did not sew the buttonhole because it's a non-functioning button.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
This pattern had been in my sewing queue for quite some time, so I'm glad I made finally but I think once was enough. I got it out of my system. You know what that's like, I'm sure. There are tons of other garments in my queue. 
Conclusion:
I think it came out ok in the end, but I was all angsty throughout. I wore it to work and had horizontal wrinkles across the skirt from where I sat down, but I'm ok with that...because that's normal wear for a pegged skirt, I think. and then that ran into the side seam puckering, which made it all ok somehow. I blame my fabric more than the dress design.
More pix with front, side and back views in this blog posting!
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8 Comments
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What a nice dress! I love that button that you found as well. This is a great style dress and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I know ripping is a pain, but you might try ripping out that side seam and sewing it again. You may like it better that way. All in all, great dress!
11/25/12 2:26 AM
For all the work you put into this dress, it's really paid off. It's a great dress and you've found the hem length that works for you. Cool.
11/25/12 4:26 AM
lovely!
11/25/12 9:36 AM
What a cute dress! I love the button and the collar with the gathered front. Great style.
11/25/12 11:28 AM
This is a lovely dress!
11/25/12 7:34 PM
Beautiful dress! :)
11/26/12 6:26 PM
Very beautiful! The collar band and button is gorgeous! Thanks for the great review!
12/2/12 11:38 AM
I am considering making this dress for myself. I've never made a retro style dress but I think this is a safe bet. Thanks for your review. I think I will eliminate the zipper too. I love your rose button! You need another one of these in a summer color. Maybe we can do a sew-along.
5/22/13 11:12 AM