Pattern Description: Laura Ashley fitted side zip sheath dresses with lined bodice, darts, neckline variations.
Dress on me
Pattern Sizing: 6-14. I cut the 14 and tapered to a 12 at the bodice.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, I made view A and it looks like the pattern illustration without the belt.
Front View
Back View
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes and kind of. It is a relatively simple design to construct, but the slip stitching if the lining and the bias tape at the armholes by hand was a bit tedious and time consuming, but the end results are really nice and leaves no stitching on the outside.
armhole slip stitching by hand in progress
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the style of this pattern. I love the boat neckline, the darts, and the fact that you can make this with a little over 1 yard of fabric and some lining! I was going for a brocaded shift dress look that I really wanted to copy as this designer version:
Dolce & Gabanna brocade shift dress inspiration.
I started this dress to make for the holidays, but never finished in time, but picked it up a month and a half later and finished it for a cocktail party we were invited to.
I took the time to cut the front of the bodice and the skirt exactly on the center of the brocade design, matcing the design all the way down the front of the dress.
Bodice detail
Fabric Used: Polyester metallic brocade fabric I bought about two years ago at Joann Fabrics. It was on the red tag sale rack and was only about 1 1/8 yard left, so I grabbed it and waited to find a pattern that it would be perfect for. The lining is Ambiance (rayon?).
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I fully lined the pattern, adding a lined skirt because the brocade fabric is quite scratchy against the skin and for ease of movement in this little shift dress. I also did not make the slit in the back of the skirt because I literally did not have enough fabric to fit the extension of the back slit opening.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will absolutely sew this dress again because it is a good fit and I think will make wonderful fitted dresses in wool, cotton, sturdy silk, rayon, tweed, maybe even leather!
I will say that next time I make this, I will spend the time to fit the pattern a bit better. After wearing it for the evening, I realized that I do not like how it doesn't "hug" my body on the waist and upper part of the hips as I would like it to. It stuck out a bit here, so I think I need to back in and adjust the darts at the hip and take more out of the dart so that I get a better curve here. You can see in this photo how the hip area sticks out a little and is not as fitted as it could be.
I highly recommend this pattern, just be aware that there is some hand stitching involved.
Conclusion: Love this pattern, it's a keeper!
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I love your dress! Well done!
1/26/13 8:10 PM
Oh wow! I love your dress. Perfect design for showcasing your amazing fabric
1/26/13 8:14 PM
Wow! This is stunning! All the extra detail really paid off! This is a time less dress you'll have for a long time.
1/26/13 9:14 PM
What a gorgeous dress! :)
1/26/13 10:25 PM
Beautiful dress! Your version is as good or better than your inspiration dress.
1/26/13 11:04 PM
Beeeautiful! Great melding of fabric and pattern...love it.
1/27/13 0:21 AM
Gorgeous dress! Perfect for your fabric.
1/27/13 1:40 AM
Absolutely stunning.
1/27/13 6:35 AM
Absolutely Stunning!
1/27/13 9:47 AM
Lovely! For your next one, I suggest using the All-in-One neckline/armscye lining method instead of bias and hand stitching (though it's lovely). Once you try it, you're going to love it! Again, marvy dress!
1/27/13 2:11 PM
Thank you ladies! SavageCoco, thanks for the lining tip!
1/27/13 2:26 PM
This is a beautiful pattern for your special fabric. Great fit- especially the bodice.
1/27/13 3:15 PM
Just beautiful!!
1/27/13 7:34 PM
Your dress is stunning!
1/27/13 9:36 PM
Gorgeous. I always love what you make. That is a perfect combination of skill and good vision and execution. Lovely
1/27/13 10:47 PM
Always love seeing what you make! This is beautiful.
1/28/13 7:26 AM
Gorgeous dress.
1/29/13 10:46 AM
Gorgeous!
2/1/13 4:38 AM
Beautiful dress!
2/3/13 10:25 PM