Tuesday, June 24, 2008

BWOF 5/08 #121 Dress

Pattern Description: This calf-length dress in softly flowing jersey also looks great on ladies with fuller figures! A wide sash emphasizes the waist, the sleeves are cut-in-one with the garment. That's not only trendy, it's also very flattering!

Pattern Sizing: BWOF 38-46. I made a 38, which was just right.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Better, because you can actually see it. (Who takes BWOF's photos?)

Were the instructions easy to follow? I'm so glad I wasn't the first person to make this dress, because BWOF's instructions for the neckline bands were fairly incomprehensible, and the amount of fabric they thought this dress required was crazy - they suggest 3.5 meters and it took approximately 2 1/4 the way I did it. I didn't understand the faux-wrap idea to begin with - why use that much fabric if the dress doesn't actually wrap? So a round of applause to Tany for eliminating the wrap idea completely and sewing the ties into the sides of the waist. It worked for her, and it worked for me. And can I say how much I hate it when BWOF refers you to another pattern for instructions? The entire neck/sleeve/shoulder gather construction was under #120, so I had to flip back and forth, which added nothing to the experience.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I have to say (once again) that I didn't notice this pattern in the magazine except to think, "What idiot would photograph an all-black dress in a pose like that and want me to see the details? What details? Where are they?" Even the drawing didn't intrigue me, but then I saw Tany's review, and Merteuil'sand Kay Y's andSigrid's, and I was done for. I really like the all-in-one sleeve and the shoulder gathers look really graceful.

Fabric Used: Fabulous spotted stretch jersey purchased at Dreyfus in Paris with Nicegirl. We went fabric shopping on Pentecost Monday, so most of the stores were closed, but we managed, oh, yes, we did. For contrast: black jersey from Kincus in Philadelphia, purchased while shopping with Elaray. So this is definitely a special dress to me.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: As mentioned above, and in the other reviews, I eliminated the second layer of skirt in the front, which brought the fabric down to a manageable amount. (I also think that much fabric would really make the dress heavy and possibly affect the hang of the skirt, but maybe not). I cut the ties at half-width because I was running low on spotted fabric and I backed them with solid black. The ties were sewn into the side seams instead of BWOF's way, since I wasn't doing the dress as a wrap. I really think these changes make for a better pattern, and more wearable dress, than the original version.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I highly recommend this dress. Once you work your way through the maze of how to put bands on the neck area, it doesn't take long to finish. I'd make it again, either as a dress or as a longer top than what they have in the magazine. It's a flattering shape and drapes well.

Conclusion: This is my first dress made from stretch fabric, and all in all, I enjoyed the experience. I've yet to hem it because I'm still trying to decide on the length, but I'll get there.

12 comments:

Elaray said...

Ooooo, Karen. The dress is beautiful! It looks great on you!

Debbie Cook said...

Great dress on you!

Lisa Laree said...

Wow! That looks terrific on you! No...I said that wrong...you look terrific in that dress!

Cathy said...

Another terrific dress--you're having a great month in the sewing room! Don't cha just love air conditioning? LOL

Meg said...

Very nice! I love this fabric and how great that you can say you bought it in Paris.

CraftRage said...

Oh, that's awesome! And I second Lindsay - "Oh, I picked up the fabric in Paris," she said casually.

Vildy said...

another vote for how great the dress is and how it really does look custom made for you.
I think this is my current favorite of your projects. Just beautiful. I can see how the French women could make do with just a few things if they looked like this.

Kitty Couture said...

Beautiful dress! The fabrics work great together and these shades look fantastic on you. You look fabulous!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Karen - this dress is absolutely stunning on the dressform but jaw-droppingly beautiful on you! Wonderful job!

Claire said...

Karen, the dress looks fantastic! I too love the fabrics. Enjoy your "Paris" dress.

Tany said...

Karen, what a beautiful dress! I LOVE the fabric and the dress looks wonderful on you! Congratulations!

Cennetta said...

Very pretty. Fits you to a "T".