Pattern Description: Dress has close-fitting, lined, boned bodice with right front pleats, inset, pleated drapes, inside belt, semi-fitted, underlined skirt, left front pleats, lined sleeves, invisible back zipper and slit.
Pattern Sizing: A5(6-8-10-12-14),E5(14-16-18-20-22). I cut a 20 in the front bodice and skirt back and an 18 in the back bodice, sleeves and skirt front. The fit was good although the darts in the back didn't line up appropriately.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. I made a few changes such as adding a self fabric belt and creating a brocade top to wear underneath and provide more coverage, but other than that it looks a lot like the pattern photo.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, I found the instructions to be very clear.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the vintage glamour of this dress. However, the neckline is very low... like necessitating double-sided tape low. The bustier among us may want to raise the neckline an inch or so.
I also really enjoyed the clean finish on the bodice. However, that made the raw edges on the inside of the skirt and the zipper a bit disappointing. I wish the directions had provided for equally beautiful finishes on the rest of the garment. Underlining the skirt was also a lovely touch as it gave the bottom half of the garment the same heft and shaping as the top.
Fabric Used: Forest green Vera Wang silk slipper satin.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The only pattern alterations I made were for fit. (See section about sizing above.) Sadly, this resulted in the back darts failing to line up properly. To make my dart issue less obvious I made a self fabric belt with a bow the same width as the top of the pleated drape. I also self drafted a brocade tank to wear underneath the dress. Other than that I did not make any alterations.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may steal peices of this dress to make again as part of a frankenpattern but I don't think I would make this entire garment again. However, this is not a reflection on the quality of the pattern but more an honest assessment of how few cocktail dresses I really need in my wardrobe.
I would definitely recommend this pattern to someone else.
Conclusion: A lovely, if somewhat impractical dress with beautiful finishings and a slightly too low neckline (and this is coming from someone who does not shy away from showing cleavage... take that as you will)! Click Here
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Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
Oh, your fabric is just beautiful!
1/2/13 11:07 AM
great holiday dress and good result with such a tricky fabric.
1/2/13 11:44 AM
Thanks for the review! I have both this pattern, and lots of yardage of the Vera Wang slipper satin. Yours turned out great.
1/2/13 9:17 PM
Beautiful dress! Love the belt with the bow!
1/3/13 6:55 AM
Fabulous dress. I love the contrasting inset - great solution!
1/5/13 7:23 AM