Pattern Description: Misses' close fitting dress in two lengths. View A has boat neckline finished with facing and full length sleeves. View B has scoop neckline finished with facing and short sleeves. This is the full length sleeve version, with sleeves shortened to bracelet/jewel length (shortened about 4 inches for me).
Pattern Sizing: XS - XL. I made the XS.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it does.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yup - it's a Kwik Sew - excellent instructions.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I didn't do the facings as I think facings are silly when using a knit. Since my knit was rather firm, I just made a narrow hem through the neckline and stitched.
Fabric Used: Ponte knit from Hancock Fabrics.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Narrow shoulder adjustment (and kwik Sews are notorious for wide shoulders), 1.5 inch sway back adjustment, lengthened by 2 inches because this was a seriously short dress, even on my 4ft 10 in frame!
I have decided that on my next iteration of this dress, I still need to remove .5" on each shoulder, and take out another 1" ona swayback adjustment.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is my TnT knit dress pattern. Two pieces total - no fuss no muss. No darts or other shaping - just a very simple slim dress. The ponte knit is thick, so it is completely winter appropriate (when worn with tights and boots) and totally appropriate for summer in lighter weight fabrics
Conclusion: it takes less than 2 hours from cut to put on. Very gratifying when you need a quick, pretty dress. Yet another "blank canvas" for playing with fabrics or even color blocking.
norie creates said... I love your dress! I would have slept on this pattern! So thanks for the review! 1/2/13 6:15 PM
Jstarr4250 said... Very cute. Great dress for featuring fun jewelry. 1/3/13 7:26 AM
Skirler said... Thank you both :) This pattern is such a blank canvas - do it plain for wearing funky jewelry or cardigans. Do it in cute prints, etc. My next version will be my first attempts at color blocking. 1/3/13 8:36 AM
Frozzy said... When you do a narrow shoulder adjustment, do you bring the neckline in, too? I find both shoulders and neckline too wide in KS patterns. Have cut the front pattern piece horizontally at the armscye notch, slide to center 1", and then add the inch back at the side. Is there a better way? 1/3/13 2:58 PM
Levone said... Lovely dress! 1/5/13 6:04 PM
Skirler said... Hi Frozzy :) Sorry about the tardiness of a reply from me. It depends on the garment itself, whether I adjust the neckline as well. Typically, I just "shave off" the adjustment from should seam and use a french curve to grade to the armscye notch. If you are finding both too wide, can you choose the smaller size pattern to fit through the shoulders properly? i have found that fit through the shoulders, for me at least, is where I need the pattern to be most accurate, and I am willing to alter the rest of the pattern for fit.
I use the KS extra small and still have to adjust the shoulders. In the Big 4, I use a size 4 and rarely have to adjust the shoulders. 1/9/13 12:29 PM
I love your dress! I would have slept on this pattern! So thanks for the review!
1/2/13 6:15 PM
Very cute. Great dress for featuring fun jewelry.
1/3/13 7:26 AM
Thank you both :) This pattern is such a blank canvas - do it plain for wearing funky jewelry or cardigans. Do it in cute prints, etc. My next version will be my first attempts at color blocking.
1/3/13 8:36 AM
When you do a narrow shoulder adjustment, do you bring the neckline in, too? I find both shoulders and neckline too wide in KS patterns. Have cut the front pattern piece horizontally at the armscye notch, slide to center 1", and then add the inch back at the side. Is there a better way?
1/3/13 2:58 PM
Lovely dress!
1/5/13 6:04 PM
Hi Frozzy :) Sorry about the tardiness of a reply from me. It depends on the garment itself, whether I adjust the neckline as well. Typically, I just "shave off" the adjustment from should seam and use a french curve to grade to the armscye notch. If you are finding both too wide, can you choose the smaller size pattern to fit through the shoulders properly? i have found that fit through the shoulders, for me at least, is where I need the pattern to be most accurate, and I am willing to alter the rest of the pattern for fit. I use the KS extra small and still have to adjust the shoulders. In the Big 4, I use a size 4 and rarely have to adjust the shoulders.
1/9/13 12:29 PM