Friday, October 06, 2017

Finished Garment and a Pattern Review



We had some trouble with a camera and were unable to get very good images of me in the dress but were able to use a cell phone. It was a nice day and I have a few outdoor pictures.

The fabric: dusty Rose on cream white background is such a soft appearance!

I made an underskirt for the dress, and hoped it would look like a layer of fabric similar to a ruffle, attached to the  dress, but I will have to work on that. I was trying to make it look like a multi layered skirt. 

It was fun to wear gloves  and a hat with this.




Now for the pattern, below.  

I am glad I only paid 99 cents for this because it was not an easy pattern and it did not fit well at all. 

I added my own sleeves, and had to remove the tucks in the front to make the bodice lay smoothly.  The instructions were not simple and for such a casual dress it requires French seams, bias binding on the edges, and some strange tucks that aren't flattering to the dress at all.  I tweaked and added and altered until I got it to fit better. 

I was attracted to the pattern because it had only two pieces: a front and back, and I am always looking for something that doesn't have a lot of little pieces and will not take too much time.  This one had no zipper or buttons and I thought it would take less time to sew, but after all the adjustments, it was more time consuming.

The dress is not well-fitted and has a few billowing areas that make it feel sloppy. I won't be using this one again, but I will wear the dress a lot at home.  The reviews online are not all favorable, and some pieces of the pattern were reported missing, as in my copy as well. Most sewists complained that the tucks pulled the dress in such a way as to create a frumpy look.

The design looks great on paper but the darts and tucks were "off" and the dress did not drape well, plus it was not flattering,


The dress looks "okay" on me but the style is a bit too bohemian for my taste. The fabric is very casual looking but it dresses up well when accompanied with accessories.  

The dusty rose colors of the dress and hat goes well with the old brown truck so I will be planning to add a picture with the truck as a prop, to bring out the best in this dress. 

 The dress is comfortable to wear since I changed a few things. It feels luxurious and I will be looking for more of this fabric.

Thanks for visiting.  I am going on to my next project.

21 comments:

Laura Jeanne said...

I think the pictures look beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this interesting and delightful part of your life with us, Lydia. I never seem to find the time to sew myself but I enjoy living vicariously through you and seeing the lovely items you sew!

Unknown said...

You looked lovely Lady Lydia!

Lydia said...

It would have looked a lot better if the pattern had been designed better, but I am going to wear it anyway.

Nadege said...

Oh, you look beautiful in your new dress.

savannah said...

The fabric is so vintage looking. It is very feminine and with the accessories you have chosen,the overall affect is charming. Beautiful!

savannah said...

The fabric is so vintage looking. It is very feminine and with the accessories you have chosen,the overall affect is charming. Beautiful!

Mrs. C said...

You look lovely! I have sewed the same pattern and also found the same issues and will not sew it again. Thank you for showing us your sewing!

Lydia said...

Thank you ladies. I am fixing to get my picture " took" ( does anyone use that expression any more?) with the old truck, which has the same dusty rose color, so I am looking for a matching prop or two and waiting for my photographer to have a few moments of free time. It's a nice clear day without so much sunlight so I expect the photos of tge dress to be better than the ones you see here.

Mrs.O said...

I LOVE the fabric. I am on a smart phone (for internet). Are the hat and shoes trimmed in black?
Mrs.O

ladypinktulip said...

Very Pretty! Kelly

Lydia said...

Only the hat. The shoes have elastic toes and are comfortable with padded inserts. The come on black and gray also but this pair is the dusty riose that match th hat, both from a discount store, under $10 and I will make an ingredients list on. Main post when I get the last photo posted

Homestead Gal said...

The fabric looks luxurious! Honestly, the dress and fit look beautiful! I love how the large rose motifs are so nicely scattered. Despite your issues, the final dress is lovely.

anonymous said...

Your dress turned out so pretty Lydia. Its hard to see the details since the photo is so small. Could your photographer get a lot closer so we may see the details a little better. Love the color on you and the print of the dress is delicate. So feminine!
Blessings, Janet

Lydia said...

Janet, my photographer was useless that day. He made photos that looked like old daguerreotype. The photos do not even look like me. am thinking of other ways to get better pictures of the sewing. Indoors might get better results.. I will try to get one good one soon and post it here.

Heavenly Home said...

That's too bad the pattern was so difficult to put together. I only know a bit of sewing, and so much want to learn so much more so that I can sew for myself and my children, and for things around the house. Can anyone recommend a sewing course, or books which cover all the bases? I'm not good at piecing bits of information together--I'd like an all-inclusive method of learning.

Mrs.O said...

I would appreciate that as well!
Mrs.O

God's Grace Overflows said...

I love the fabric and you look beautiful Lydia!!

Lydia said...

You are very kind. In think the photos look very strange. It is hard to find a photographer and I don't do selfies.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

It is frustrating to spend so much time and money creating a garment, with a pattern that does not fit well. However, I think the dress looks very nice on you, and if you can wear it around the home, that is helpful. Hugs to you today Lydia :)

Unknown said...

For learning-to-sew recommendations -
I don't think this is an all inclusive course on sewing, but I have enjoyed watching this lady's videos here and there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge_sZNm0mOM

I love hearing her talk, and these are very basic tips on how to get started sewing.

I love the sewing you are doing Lydia!

Mrs. Cote said...

Beautiful photos! Very sad to read that the pattern didn't work out. I usually purchase patterns on sale too but it is nerve wracking to cut into fabric not knowing if they will fit well. I usually have issues with Macalls patterns fitting very large on me with huge armholes when I buy them according to the size measurements on the envelope. Although it has forced me to learn a lot about fitting I'm thinking I need to not buy those at all. I'd like to see if Vogue patterns will be a better fit. God bless!