Pattern Description: An easy color block dress with dolman sleeves in two lengths. Comes in different bust sizes (A, B, C, D).
Pattern Sizing:8-16 and 16-24. I ended up using 16 C in the larger range pattern --I would normally have used a size 20 or done a 3-4 inch FBA on a 16.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. I've been trying to upgrade my photos from my lame iPhone photos, so have reposted this.
Were the instructions easy to follow?Super easy.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Honestly, this was the most satisfying sewing experience I have had in a long time. I cut out and assembled the dress in about an hour. The dress looks good and it's very comfortable to wear. It's like wearing pajamas, I lounge in it. I really liked the fact that I could get a size that accommodated a large bust without a full bust alteration--my top is a 20 or 22 and bottom a 16, so you see my issue. My only complaint was that it was not possible to see the final garment size for the different cup sizes while ordering the pattern and so I had to guess. The information is printed on the pattern pieces themselves and if I had known that a 16C was 44 inches across the bust, I would have gotten the smaller size range, so that I could also use the pattern for my (smaller) daughter. There is fairly generous ease in the final garment, so look carefully at these measurements. Also, I ordered the specified pattern yardage and found that the top block in particular (main color on the pattern) was a little tight--I would add another 1/8 yard to this piece.
Fabric Used: Polyester ponte double knit from Dana Marie Designs, really superb fabric, soft with a bit of stretch, super easy to cut and sew. Dana Marie had a broad color selection but the actual colors were a bit off of what I expected from the web site. The "sweet violet" ended up more blue, the "taupe" more gray and the "teal" was a bit more green than I thought. I was looking for a neutral but not black in the main torso piece and some bluish complementary colors for the other blocks, so it has the look I was hoping for. Anyway, I love, LOVE this fabric and will be ordering more! (Going on a ponte binge!) Note in revision: I didn't preshrink this fabric and it DID shrink in the length. Actually, I like the shorter length and the fit, I think, is better than before. Just lucky, just saying...always preshrink.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I omitted the back slit and cut the upper back on the fold-the dress easily goes over my head. Like many other reviewers I deepened the neck about 5/8". I did all the seams on a serger and the ponte fabric slid through the serger like butter. I lengthened the short sleeve about 2 inches and did my usual 2 inch lengthening in the torso. On a stable knit fabric like mine, I think you could omit the top-stitching.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? My daughter wants one and I am going to make a shortened version of the garment with the longer sleeves as a pullover top. The two top blocks are a perfect tunic length.
Conclusion: An easy color block dress with cut-on dolman sleeves in two lengths--I highly recommend a ponte knit for it. |
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Your dress is lovely...love the color choices. Fits nicely & very flattering. I, too, am a serious Ponte lover!
2/9/13 11:13 AM
Love your color combination and this looks great on you!
2/9/13 12:12 PM
Perfect color combo! This dress is so versatile, looks fabs on you!
2/9/13 12:46 PM
You did a great job. The fit is fantastic.
2/9/13 1:35 PM
I'm in love with your dress and review. I think this may be the perfect dress for me to make.
2/10/13 9:42 AM
I love your dress. Have this pattern, and very good to know about the bust sizing! Thanks for that note. Now I will definitely try it.
2/10/13 9:48 AM
What a great dress! Your color choices look great together and very flattering.
2/10/13 11:00 AM
This dress looks great on you. I love the colors. Been wanting to make this dress for a while. Thanks for the review.
2/10/13 6:57 PM