Reviewed by:	Ann Smith	About Ann Smith CA USA Member since: 8/24/02 Reviews written: 154 Sewing skills:Advanced Favored by: 185 people patterns reviewed: 151 Bio: I love to sew for fashion, especially unusual designs. I own way too many patterns and fabric! I hav...full profile
Posted on:	11/21/02 4:54 AM
Last Updated:	1/2/05 4:10 PM
Pattern Size:	Regular
Project Photo:
Pattern Photo:	Pattern Information provided by Ann Smith
Pattern Rating:	Recommended, but with modifications
1/2/2205 I have discovered that all of my reviews that had photos linked to Ofoto no longer have the photos appearing. It looks as though Ofoto eliminated my sewing albums. So I have linked all of them to my Yahoo albums. This is the only review that I am pulling to the top because I added a detail photo for this dress. I chose an olive green silk noil for this dress as I thought it would make it wearable year round. In the cold months it can be worn with a turtleneck, in the summer on its own. It worked well with the design as a fairly crisp fabric is necessary to carry it off. I may make it again in linen. I like this dress alot. The dress looks a lot better than the photo shows. The picture looks a bit yellow as I tried to lighten the photo to show detail. It still is hard to see the lines of the dress. Check out the pattern line drawing to get a better idea. It has straight lines, all topstitched, baggy pockets and an apron effect in the front detail. The fit is slightly oversized. I made size small with no alterations. My measurements call for the medium size but there is plenty of room in the small. I usually shorten the hem 2 inches or more but didn't on this dress as I wanted it to be long, not mid-calf. The pattern drawing makes it look as though the waist seam falls at the waist but it is actually dropped a few inches below the waist. Also the pockets are very low, almost too low to be practical. However, I think the low pockets are part of the style. I like the look. It was easy to sew, once you figure out the description of mitering the corner. It is a very good method that comes out perfectly. The only tricky part of construction is at the point where the apron attaches at the waist seam. On one side of my dress, the apron puffs out slightly. I've fiddled with it but it doesn't get better. I may have stretched it to cause this or it is just a fussy spot that the fabric has to fit together perfectly for it to lie flat. I have decided I can live with it the way it is. There is one important detail that is not mentioned anywhere on the pattern except as pictured on the layout sheet. The skirt is all one piece and is cut out sideways. It will only fit on the fabric that way. You will want to consider that when choosing your fabric. A stripe or other design will be sideways to the rest of the dress. Another detail that was left off the pattern is the location of the back stitching from waist down to kick pleat. It is referred to in the instuctions but the markings were not on my pattern piece. You can decide how far down you want it stitched to properly cover your derriere but leave enough open for easy walking. I found it worked to stitch down to be level with the bottom of the pocket.