Pattern Description: Close-fitting, tapered, above mid-knee, unlined dress has shaped seams, scoop front and back neckline, front pleats with wired ribbon, back invisible zipper and back vent.
Pattern Sizing: 12-18. Based on my meaurements I made the 14 but I think I could have gone down a size.
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? The directions were ok. I got confused on one part. When you are ready to attach the neck facing to the dress it says to pin the facing to the dress wrong sides together. Now maybe it's because you are supposed to use two way stretch knits only and maybe it won't fray, but I thought this was wrong. I didn't use a knit. I used Sew Classic Suitings from Joanns and it's 81% Poly, 15% Rayon and 4% spandex so it had more than enough stretch to it.
Pattern Sizing: 12-18. Based on my meaurements I made the 14 but I think I could have gone down a size.
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? The directions were ok. I got confused on one part. When you are ready to attach the neck facing to the dress it says to pin the facing to the dress wrong sides together. Now maybe it's because you are supposed to use two way stretch knits only and maybe it won't fray, but I thought this was wrong. I didn't use a knit. I used Sew Classic Suitings from Joanns and it's 81% Poly, 15% Rayon and 4% spandex so it had more than enough stretch to it.
I didn't realize the guide sheet wasn't going to tell me how to finish off the neckline until I was doing the armhole. It was at that point I stopped and read through all the directions and saw that they didn't include directions for that. Now I'm still a beginner so maybe they assumed I was supposed to know how to finish it off? I ended up just serging the edges so it wouldn't ravel and folding it and sewing it under.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The pattern envelope picture isn't accurate. Or maybe it's just me. This dress is WAY low. Like, when I put it on it fit well, I made the size based on my meaurements and it was so low you could see my bra. VERY Low.
Fabric Used: Sew Classic Suitings from Joanns and it's 81% Poly, 15% Rayon and 4% spandex
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I am going to make this dress again. This version is a muslin by default lol. It won't get worn anywhere. I love the style and fit. Next time I make it, I'm going to shorten the side front and side back piece. I THINK That is what I need to do to make it not so low. I'll make a muslin of the top part of the dress before I cut my fabric lol.
Conclusion: This is a beautiful dress. I learned a lot while making it. It was my first time working with wired ribbon in a dress and it's given me a couple ideas for future projects.
Here are a couple other pictures:
I love how the neckline is formed. If you click the pic, you can see how the inside facing isn't finished.
I loved all the top stitching.
Oh my! This must look stunning on you.
Posted by: Carol Trendall | February 09, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Your dress is cute. However, I surprised that you still consider yourself a beginner. I've been following your blog since 2006 and have seen you completed a lot of wonderful pieces which included buttons, zippers, various pockets and not to mention PANTS! You may have a lot of things you want to accomplish but it's my opinion that you have all the basics down.
Posted by: Charlene | February 09, 2011 at 10:50 PM
It is a lovely dress but yes it looks incredibly low on your dressform, completely different to the pattern envelope. I agree with Charlene, you are not a beginner anymore!
Posted by: allisonc | February 09, 2011 at 10:54 PM
When I saw this on your dress form, I thought I'd better take this off my list. I would get arrested for indecent exposure wearing this. I can't want to see your final version. Thanks to your review, I think I'll still buy the pattern and maybe make it for someone with a smaller bustline than me, it sounds like I could learn some new techniques. Oh yeah, you are so NOT a beginner anymore.
Posted by: Kelly | February 10, 2011 at 12:58 AM
I loved the pattern even from that scanned page of VPM you had put up and I love that you made it in suiting ie not for a knit, yay! But I'm curious as to why you feel shortening pieces is the way to go. Why not raise/lengthen the center pieces that make up the neckline frill? Not at the frill but right below that point? I haven't seen the pattern pieces but hope you will share them later on. Now I NEED this pattern, LOL!
Posted by: Lakaribane | February 10, 2011 at 07:00 AM
cute, cute , cute!
Posted by: Dana | February 10, 2011 at 07:50 AM
That dress is BAD and it's purple!!! *swoon*
Posted by: mzinspiredmind | February 10, 2011 at 08:29 AM
I think it's a great sexy dress.
Posted by: Sheri D. Maple | February 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Love the dress and the color is a so nice...This is really lovely
Posted by: Aminat | February 10, 2011 at 10:43 AM
aren't your boobies gonna be showing? I mean with the way it looks on the dressform.
It is definitely pretty.
Posted by: Carla | February 10, 2011 at 10:44 AM
You're a beginner?
Posted by: Pserendipity | February 10, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Love your dress. I loved the pattern but wasn't sure whether to buy it or not. At least I now know that the front neckline needs to be raised a bit:)
Posted by: Robyn | February 10, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Adrienne, I love pattern but was concerned about the neckline being so low. Lady, you are really turning out some great outfits. I made need your assistance in getting my mojo back (lol). Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Brenda | February 11, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Dah, hate it when you have spent so much time making that beautiful dress only to be disappointed by that super low neckline. You need to raise the neckline way up and figure out a way of making that neckline look nice from the inside as it's designed to be sticking out. I dont know how you've mustered the mojo to do another one girl!!!
Hey you, you are not a beginner okay??
Love your blog, one of my faves.
Posted by: Jean | February 11, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Love this dress Adrienne, you could try it without a bra, you know! LOL...nah, I just figured you'd have to wear a shirt of some sort underneath. Now going to look for the pattern. My dd might like it.
Posted by: Heather | February 12, 2011 at 01:41 AM
Looked at the pattern just now and you are so right, the pic doesn't give a clue that the front is so low. Still love it though, the seam lines are also very nice.
Posted by: Heather | February 12, 2011 at 02:09 AM
Wow!! You have been busy. I bought this pattern so thanks for the heads up. All of your recent projects are really looking great.
Posted by: Roz | February 12, 2011 at 09:32 AM
When I initially saw the pic I wondered why there wasn't a pic of the front, until I read it... duh... that's what happens when viewing on a cell phone..lol Pretty dress witht a very low neckline. Looking forward to your second version.
Posted by: sheila | February 12, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Oh I am so glad I am not the only one with a problem with this dress! I just spent the last couple hours working on a muslin of the top, and trying to figure out how to bring the neckline up, because half my bra is showing the way it is now! I've already taken about 2.5 inches out of piece #2, and adjusted the back center seam (where the zip will be) and the seam between pieces 2 and 3. I'm not using a knit either, but a poly stretch satin, and have decided that I'll do the facings the 'normal way' and make the front one longer so that it covers up the stitching on the inside.
I'm going to tweak my muslin some more, and hopefully I'll figure something out, and I'll let you know!
Posted by: Deirdre | February 12, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Ohhhhh! I wanna see it on you...please?! Pretty please because it's so pretty on your dressform!
Posted by: Carolyn | February 13, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Well I was going to make this dress, but really that neckline would have them in hysterics around here. Might be worth an email to Vogue, this one is not exactly as illustrated.
Looking forward to seeing your rescue. BTW your ramblings are my favourite part of your blog.
Posted by: Barbara | February 13, 2011 at 08:42 PM
This looks adorable but I was going to say the same thing as Carla until I read your whole post. I hope you can do it again with a neckline that covers the girls!
Posted by: Tresbonbabble.blogspot.com | February 14, 2011 at 04:49 PM
I hope you make it again, its a shame it didn't work out the first time around
Posted by: toy | February 15, 2011 at 05:52 AM
woow what a cute dress!
Posted by: angie | February 15, 2011 at 08:20 AM
I adulation arrangement but was anxious about the neckline accepting so low. Lady, you are absolutely axis out some abundant outfits. I fabricated charge your abetment in accepting my mojo aback. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: girls tunics | February 15, 2011 at 06:18 PM
Yer definitely NOT a beginner! I have taken a break from blog reading (tryna get some work done around here)and in that time I lost your web address.I was thinking about you and how much I wanted to find yer blog again, when I ran across one of your reviews on SewingPatternReview for a shirt pattern I want to make for a friend - Gos is so GOOD! I'm very happy to be reading your blog again and glad to see you and your family are doing well.
Helen of Huntsville
P.S. please don't make yer blog private - how would I have ever found you again? I'm just a fan. :o)
Posted by: Helen | February 19, 2011 at 02:25 PM
I agree with you entirely and you should sew this dress again, raising the neckline. All the details except the low neckline are so amazing
Posted by: Tany | February 22, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Wow! Cute dress, but what's the deal with the neckline? I'm glad you're making it again with mods, you'll look amazing in this one!
Posted by: sil | March 15, 2011 at 09:13 PM
You can't add a panel of the same material to make it outside decent? I hate to see all your good work go down the drain
Posted by: Serenity | March 16, 2011 at 08:11 AM
I was delighted to read your blog. This will be my bridesmaid dress, so I did a quick muslin fit today. I experienced the same neckline issue, and I thought it was just me too. Whew- glad I didn't cut my expensive David's Bridal fabric yet.
Posted by: Jory | June 03, 2011 at 05:22 PM
I have a fix for you that might make your unwearable muslin into a wearable muslin!
I was half way through making this pattern before I thought to check pattern review..should know better. Erica B’s fix was to shorten pattern piece 2 by 4” at the shoulder line but by the time I read this I had half constructed the garment and didn’t want to pull it all apart and recut piece 2. (I had also lined the dress so there was double work involved!) Instead I just introduced a shoulder seam and took the extra fabric out. This pulled the whole dress up higher, fixed the neckline, fixed the deep armholes and put the waistline somewhere near my natural waist. I took out 8cm (about 3 inches) at the shoulder line and then lowered the arm scythe by 1cm (about ½”). The shoulder seam looks perfectly normal and no-one would ever know it was a fix!
This would be an easy option for your muslin. You could even slope the shoulder seam, taking more out at the neckline and less at the armhole to ensure there was no gaping around the neckline. Your dress looks lovely so it seems a pity that it is going to end up in the scrap pile!
Posted by: Jenny | June 27, 2011 at 10:20 AM
The dress looks lovely. I just cut it out of a slinky knit and will take your advice on the neckline. WHERE did you get the wire for the neckline?
Posted by: Sandy | March 30, 2012 at 04:08 PM