Pattern Description: New Look offers nothing more than "Misses Knit Dresses", so I will add that it's an empire waist knit dress with optional twist overlay. I made View D, but with sleeves.
Pattern Sizing: 8-18. I made a 10 on top grading to a 12 on bottom.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, very.
Were the instructions easy to follow? They were clear enough, especially since I'd made a twist with this basic construction before.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the look of the twist front, though I wasn't sure at first about the design, since it's literally just a twisted overlay that you sew into the side seams and the shoulders of a totally regular, uninteresting empire waist v-neck dress. The method of attaching the overlay (just sewing it to the shoulder of the bodice rather than into the shoulder seam, for instance) seemed kind of odd, but works fine. You can also see just a little of the under dress neckline at the front center, but with this crazy print it's not really noticeable.
As some other reviews of this pattern have noted, there is a definite faux pregnancy pouf possible with this dress. I think I may have figured it out, though: the way the skirt is drafted, with a gathered front and a shaped, ungathered back, the back skirt pulls the front skirt tight against my thighs, keeping the front skirt from falling straight from the waist and poufing out the gathered fabric in front of my stomach. I narrowed the seam allowance as much as I could from the high hip down, and it helped. I think if the back skirt had more flare it would solve the problem, so next time I make this or a skirt style like it I'll cut 2 sizes larger in the hip of the back skirt piece.
Fabric Used: Some kind of mystery poly jersey from Jo Ann (it was a remnant wrapped on another bolt, hence the mystery).
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't like any of the sleeve variations offered in the pattern, so I used the long sleeve piece from view A and narrowed it to approximate normal sleeve width, and shortened it by a few inches to get 3/4 sleeves.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may make it again someday, perhaps in a fabric that would allow you to see the twist front, but for now I'm more interested in patterns with real twists, not just overlays. I do recommend it as an easy way to get into the whole drape/twist trend that seems to be happening now.
Conclusion: This was an easy dress to put together and is a good multi-use work dress for me. I'm also really liking the fit of all the New Look patterns on me - I'll be making more New Looks for sure!
Blogged at no time to sew
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This looks very cute on you--I don't see the pregnancy puff!
12/11/12 11:23 AM
Very cute!
12/11/12 4:52 PM
Pretty dress!
12/11/12 6:10 PM