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Pattern Description
The style I chose to make was a tea-length dress with a lace overlay and half-length sleeves.
Pattern Sizing
Made a size 14. Normally, I'd have to grade out a pattern at the hips to be two sizes bigger, but since this is a full circle skirt, there was plenty of room in there for my hips.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Actually, yes. Except, mine has sequins on it and the drawing doesn't. Hah! The color I chose was totally coincidental to the illustration on the pattern envelope.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yep! There's a lot of them, but don't let that discourage you! There's six views in this pattern alone, so there's a bunch of different instructions, and I think only half of them pertain to the garment you're creating.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The skirt is a circle skirt, so the cutting layout is not as easy as "fold and cut two" that some patterns are. Because of this, I almost ran into an issue where one side of the back was a little longer than the other and I had to make some adjustments. I suppose you could configure your own cutting layout to resolve this issue.
I feel like the sleeves are not quite right. (Yes, I even checked to make sure I had set them in correctly). There's three darts at the top of the sleeves, but no easing in the instructions. I feel that even with the darts, some easing is required. It almost feels like the sleeves twist around too much.
Fabric Used
For the lace, I used a "Glitzy" sequin coral lace from Fabric.com (sold out now). The sequins are small, holographic stickers, and a couple fell off in the wash when I pre-washed the fabric (machine washable fabric is a bonus!). Although it had a slight stretchy quality to it, it wasn't difficult to sew with. The lining is a pink broadcloth, also from Fabric.com.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made
None, really. Didn't actually add any length to the skirt this time, and installed an invisible zipper instead of a regular zipper. (Instructions in the pattern are for a regular zipper).
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I'd love to sew it again, but I can't imagine having multiple lace dresses in my closet. There's another style of dress in there (long, summery dress with straps and ruffles) that I wouldn't mind trying in the future. Definitely recommended, though. I could see this dress being worn to a garden party or a wedding.
Conclusion
If you want a lacy dress with sleeves, this pattern is for you! Just be aware of the single layer cutting layout and adjust it if you'd rather cut your pieces out in a single cut. Also, tailoring tacking, notching, and carbon tracing on lace can be a pain!  |
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Your dress is absolutely lovely on you, and in such a pretty color. Nice job!
2/21/13 7:56 AM
Wow! Gorgeous dress! So soft and feminine ;) I think its funny that your dress is so similar to one of the drawings on the pattern envelope and you didn't plan it that way :)
2/21/13 9:22 AM
Beautiful dress!
2/21/13 11:49 AM
exceptionally pretty!
2/21/13 4:06 PM
Fabulous dress and it looks very pretty on you!
2/21/13 4:26 PM
Thank you, all! :D
2/21/13 7:45 PM
I have to say your dress is simply gorgeous, so lovely on you!
2/22/13 0:31 AM
Such a pretty dress - now all you need is a tea party.
2/22/13 6:16 AM
I love that color!
2/22/13 6:20 AM
Gorgeous!!!
2/22/13 4:05 PM
Fits you perfectly!! Me jealous! :D I also have this pattern and I'm going to use it soon. Yay!
3/9/13 11:04 PM