Burda easy fashion 06-2006-6A Wrap Dress: Review

Still playing catch-up on my backlog of reviews! Here is another one!
I really need to get someone to take pictures of my clothing on me. It fits me much better than my alter ego since I managed to lose 20lbs. and my alter ego didn´t! lol
I really need to sell this alter ego and go down a size. I would really like to get a pin-able dress form padded to my exact measurements but that is a project for some other time...


Pattern Description:
Wrap dress

Pattern Sizing:
I cut a 44 but probably could have gotten away with a 42 (especially in the waist).
But the sizing is pretty forgiveable in a knit wrap dress! :-)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, but I hardly glanced at them and did a few things differently

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It is a cute pattern!

Fabric Used:
ITY Jersey from fashionfabricsclub.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I sewed clear elastic in the neckline to prevent awkward gaping. The stitching is not very good but no one notices!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
This is my second version and no I will not be posting pictures of the first version (Can we say welcome to Frumpyville, please?), but I might sew it again. I want to try some other wrap dress patterns first. There is one in an old BWOF that I want to try next.

Conclusion:
Nice basic pattern for a classic wrap dress that can be used a base to adapt to your own needs.

HotPatterns Uptown Downtown Knit Dress - Review

Here is review copied from PR:


Pattern Description:
Simple to make and easy to wear, this super-cool Dress is a great modern take on the classic sweatshirt, and works in all sorts of knits...try T-shirting, silk-y jersey, sweatshirting, double or single knits, or ribbed knit fabrics. Use contrast or matching ribbing or self fabric to finish the neckline, hem & sleeves.
Relaxed-fit Dress has a scooped ballet-style neckline and a choice of cap, elbow length or full length raglan sleeves with an overarm seam for a superior fit. Bodice can be worn bloused over the elasticated waist or dropped down onto the upper hip. Skirt finished just below the knee. We’ve included instructions for the optional narrow and Obi-style tie belts, plus the infinity scarf.
Depending on your fabric and sleeve length choices, this is a true year-round style...wear it with knee high boots or opaque tights and a chunky heel when it’s chilly, try it with sheer nylons and a chic heel, or team it with strappy sandals for warm-weather style.

Pattern Sizing:
6-26 I cut a 16 in the bust graded down to a 12 in the waist and up to a 14 in the hips.

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?
Yes they were, although I hardly glanced at them. Instead of following the instructions for the elastic insertion I winged it and just sewed thin clear elastic (called Lastin') to the skirt top and bodice bottom before joining them. Worked out fine!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The pattern envelope conveyed a certain feeling: comfy, slouchy yet stylish and I loved that the pattern managed to hold what the envelope promised!

Fabric Used:
A sweatshirt fleece in muted blue/grey that I had in my "What was I thinking"-pile...
I wanted to try this pattern without risking one of my favorite knits in case I didn´t like the style on me.
Turns out, the fabric is very cozy because of the fleece inside.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I only had 1m of this, which really isn´t enough but the fabric was extra wide (I think 2m). It still was a tight squeeze and the hem band of the skirt didn´t quite make it to the depth as designed! :-) Also, the neck band is pieced a little weirdly...
Since this is just intended for loungewear or a casual coffee date with my best friend on weekends, I really don´t care about those things!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will most definitely sew it again, probably in a drapier knit, to see how it looks on me then.

Conclusion:
Great pattern!

What I forgot to write on PR was that I can only agree with previous reviewers regarding the hem band. It is too long to pull in the hem as shown on the pattern envelope.

Self-drafted Knit Dress - Review

The following is a project I made before I started my sewing journal so I have no idea, when I finished it...
But I do remember the fabric:

Sweater Knit (95% polyester/ 5% spandex) "Marina" from buttinette.de and it is still available in lots of colors.
It costs €10,95 which isn´t cheap for a poly knit, but I think it is worth it and I am seriously debating buying more of the stuff. I just can´t decide which colors... lol
I hope to get pictures of me in it some time this week including the shrug...


This is the review as posted on PR:

Pattern Description:
Sleeveless Knit Dress with Drop-Waist and slight cowl neck

Pattern Sizing:
just my size!

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
There was no photo, except for the image in my head. It turned out almost like that!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
No instructions!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I would have loved a more pronounced cowl neck but my brain wasn´t up to the task...
The skirt is a half circle (if I recall correctly) cut in one piece. If I make this again, I will probably do a front skirt and back skirt separately.

Fabric Used:
A spongy blue polyester sweater knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The original image in my head had sleeves but I managed to mess up the sleeve cap /armscye bigtime, so I chopped them off and bound the armholes with a strip of fabric, turned that to the inside and topstitched it.
Since I wanted the option of long sleeves (this knit is pretty warm and is more of a fall/winter dress), I cut a rectangle the length of my "wingspan" and a width equaling the circumference of my upper arm and sewed it together for the length of my arm on each side (tapering to the wrists). I turned up a hem at the wrists but left the other seams unfinished. Same goes for the dress (just cut the hem evenly - at least I tried to).

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will sew it again, at least once for my mom. She wants this with a calf length skirt.

Conclusion:
Not bad for a completely improvised project. I´ve worn it several times and really like it.

BWOF 08-2006 Designer Pattern Bogner - Pants

Pattern Description: Fly-front Pants with contoured waistband*

Pattern Sizing:
34-44
I cut a 44

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?
Yes, except for the fly, but that just might be my brain...

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the classic lines of the patterns and I am always on the lookout for classic dress pants for work that will actually fit.

Fabric Used:
a rayon poly stretch woven in brown with cream pinstripes from www.stoffe.de for €11,99/m. I used 1,5m.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
on this version I did not alter a thing and it came out too large as you can see in the photos. I would cut a smaller size the next time.
The rise is too high for my taste but the legs are roomy enough for my protruding thighs!
The crotch is too roomy: about 3-4cm can be taken out below the zipper with a dart on the pattern

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would sew it again, in fact I have. I made that dart below the zipper and cut a 42 in the waist and hips, grading back to a 44 for the legs.
I messed up the fly front on this version big time, so I doubt I will wear it. And I didn´t lower the rise... Oopsie!

Conclusion:
Classic dress pants with a nice enough fit. I most always have to alter patterns and this one was no exception!
Nonetheless, a double thumbs up for this pattern.

*I don´t know, if these Designer Patterns were available in the foreign issues of BWOF. Burda put a Designer Pattern in each magazine for a while. In order to get these you had to pay €5 and send in an order form. You would receive the pattern in the mail a couple weeks later. They were only available for a limited time (if I recall correctly, only the month in which the magazine appeared)

Added after posting over at PR:
This is my first pair of pants that I have actually worn to work without fussing over flaws and will gladly wear again!

Sewing Plans for March

I have been thinking about what to sew next and this is what I came up with:
- March Jacket: obviously! I´ve already cut out the lining and will cut out the fashion fabric after I sew the lining up to check the fit. Since PR is doing a Lined Jacket Contest, I will try to finish in time and enter.PR is also doing a Mini-Wardrobe Contest designed around an item already in the closet and I sewed a pair of pants a couple of weeks ago (brown with cream pinstripes) that go perfectly with the jacket. This got me thinking about some coordinating fabrics in my stash.... more on that later

- a loungewear suit (Vogue 2064; a Donna Karan pattern): my closet is sorely lacking in the comfortable loungewear department and I have the suitable fabric earmarked for this pattern



  I will be making Views A and D (the jacket out of a teal jersey and the pants out of a chocolate brown jersey)
- trying to recreate the look of the following dress will be another challenge for march


 last year, in NYC I bought a gorgeous wool knit in a heathered brown at Metro Textile that seems stable enough for this dress. I have shirt pattern that would probably work, I´ll see once I get it muslined.
- Inspiration: Embellished knits at Grosgrain
  I have two turtlenecks (at least) that I hate wearing as they are but they´re definitely in too good condition to throw out (both Tommy Hilfiger cotton sweaters). I want to refashion these in some way.

Ok, that´s enough for now, I hope I can finish all that in March!

Butterick 5559 - Review

Here is my review (copied from Pattern Review)

Pattern Description:
MISSES' DRESS: Close-fitting, above mid-knee, pullover dresses A, B have front and back darts and outside stitched tucks. A: above elbow length sleeves. B: sleeveless.

Pattern Sizing:
14-16-18-20
I cut a 16

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did, except that my tucks were mirrored because I didn´t cut my fabric the correct way... lol

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes they were, although I hardly glanced at them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the interesting seaming and the construction.
I didn´t read other reviews here before jumping into the project and that is why my tucks wouldn´t stay down (especially over the very protuding front and back parts of my body). I solved this problem by sewing them down with black thread. First, I tried tacking them invisibly, but that look very sloppy. Next time, I would probably just sew them down from the start.

Fabric Used:
Black cotton double knit with silver rayon topstitching.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None, because I couldn´t figure out how. I need the size 16 in the bust, took it in in the waist about 1.5 inches. The dress turned out too roomy in the shoulders and upper back, so before I sew it again, I will have to put some thought into possible alterations.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and yes. The next fabric is already picked out. This version was a dressy version not really suitable for the office and so next time I will use a purple cotton stretch gabardine with matching topstitching.

Conclusion:
double thumbs up! Makes a great curvy silhouette and I got heaps of compliments when I wore it out last week!

Excuse the blurry photo, I took it with self-timer at 2 a.m. on sunday morning. I really need to enlist my brother as a photographer...