My Image Magazine: IW1001 (Dress) - Type:Dresses  | | Viewed 168 times
| | Review rated Very Helpful by 3 people | | Reviewed by: | Kathhhhhy | 
| About Kathhhhhy | | MD USA | | Member since: 7/21/09 | | Reviews written: 66 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 7 people | | patterns reviewed: 64 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/13/13 6:56 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | More Info provided by Kathhhhhy | | Pattern Rating: | Recommend, with Modifications | | | | Fabric: | Poplin [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| UPDATE: I emailed the company and got a wonderful response to my concerns from them. They are a small company obviously working very hard to make their patterns work for everyone. If I ever have a problem while sewing one of their patterns I will definitely just email them with my questions... they respond so fast and are extremely helpful!
Pattern Description: A dress with a shirred neckline and pleated front skirt.
Pattern Sizing: 36-46. I cut a 42 on top and 46 on the skirt.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? They are pretty bad. There is no indication on the pattern whether or not there are seam allowances. After some research I found there are no SA's included, so I added the standard 5/8". I planned to cut a 42 on top and grade to a 46 for the hips. I measured the finished hips on the pattern. There is exactly 1cm, that's less then a 1/2", of ease for each size!! WHAT!? That's basically skin tight. Their size chart says: size 46 hip: 113cm. My measurements for size 46 is 114cm. I checked each size and they all have the same ease amount. The model on the envelope isn't wearing a hooker-tight dress. Am I supposed to add ease, too? Well, I had to. And I didn't realize any of this until AFTER sewing the whole dress up! Awwww geeez! I had to scrap the first bodice it was so wrong and after tearing the zipper with my seam ripper. It was for the best, the first bodice was made of a junky fabric anyhow (but it was cute!) I salvaged the skirt luckily by taking the seams out and re-sewing them with a tiny seam allowance. Also, they don't explain how to sew the facing onto the bodice. It's a bit puzzling.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes... it's a very sweet dress once I had it all made. I love the neckline. It's flattering for a curvy body. It can be dressed up or down depending on the fabric you use. The pattern is printed on heavyweight paper. The line drawing of the dress is clear and the model shows the dress nicely.
Dislikes? See above. I was shocked at how confused I was considering how simple the dress actually is to sew. There are no English translations on the pattern sheet. *Update: English translations are now on their new editions!* The words/abbreviations MA Stoff/HM Stoffbr and RVD/FL appear on the pattern... I assume they equate to 'fabric grain line' and 'cut on the fold'. I can't say which is which because they are randomly placed on each piece (i.e. the front bodice had the same words as the back facing... one you cut on the fold, they other you don't.)
Fabric Used: A cotton poplin for the bodice and a medium weight denim for the skirt.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: After making the dress I had to scrap the original bodice because it was very tight due to the tiny 1cm ease in the pattern. I cut a new bodice adding an inch to it. I improvised the neckline with the facing. There are no real directions on how to sew this part. I took out the seams in the skirt and made the SA's tiny to salvage the skirt. It worked out!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I felt like I already sewed this twice. I would consider sewing it again now that I know what to do. I do warn others to really pre-plan with this and even make a muslin if you need. This would be a beginner dress to sew if the directions weren't so confusing.
Conclusion: A great dress. But there were some trials and tribulations to get there. The company really needs to work on their directions and information. The prices are really reasonable for their patterns and magazines, they even do free international shipping for stuff along with some great deals. See more images and hear more rants about this pattern on my blog.
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9 Comments
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I was wondering about this pattern magazine. Your dress did turn out adorable. That is really strange about the ease. If I venture into this pattern magazine, I hope I remember to do a lot of measuring.
2/13/13 9:22 PM
Fantastic looking dress despite your problems with the instructions. Well done.
2/13/13 11:45 PM
Oh that's a shame - I've sewn lots of their magazine patterns nd never had any problems with the fit and ease before (and I'm a similar size, 42-44). I've not made any of their envelope patterns yet. You should email them and voice your concerns about the sizing - Martin at My Image is very friendly and really cares about their customers.
2/14/13 6:08 AM
I'm sorry to hear about all the grief this project caused you but your dress is awesome! So cute :) I like the combination of red on top and denim for the bottom.
2/14/13 7:25 AM
I'm glad you stuck with it. This is so darn cute. Great save!!!
2/14/13 7:27 AM
The neckline is beautiful, and what a pretty silhouette on you.
2/14/13 8:23 AM
Thanks everyone! I think that it was worth the trouble. It was fair warning for future ImageWear/MyImage patterns I'll make. Maybe this is just one pattern that has so many problems. I really like their patterns so I am 100% sure I will make more of them.
2/14/13 9:08 AM
Oh man, what an ordeal! The end product is really adorable--I love the neckline/collar!
2/14/13 10:20 AM
Very cute!
2/14/13 2:00 PM