Pattern Review: Glam Duster+ M6996

No preamble, I love this duster!! my photographer is at camp and me and the tripod are not yet fully acquainted but yes to the selfie of me in this garment!  Actually I forgot to bring the tripod with me when I packed the car and drove five hours to Savannah, GA.  My good friend had a Denim and Diamonds themed birthday party and I didn’t know what to wear, but I knew I wanted to make something.  I also didn’t want to buy fabric, since I have two bins full of “just in case” fabric.  I feel there’s a little self imposed pressure to make something spectacular if you sew, I mean, why would I make something, boring?  I also didn’t want to look like anyone else, because I’m me!  I knew chambray off the shoulder tops and dresses would be popular because that’s what’s in the store right now.  I though of wearing a denim jacket and make a body con dress or a jumpsuit, the event was after six so I know I wanted sparkle.  Nothing spoke to me, but this fabric, in all it’s glitter spoke to me.  I had five yards, so I knew I had plenty, now which pattern to use?  Do I hack a pattern, do I self draft, what should I do?  I chose to hack a pattern, I could not handle trying to self draft and it not come out right.  I’d already changed my mind four times on what to wear and time was getting away from me.

This is not something you wear all the time, but I can see me taking this on a cruise with me and wearing it with a body con dress, Yaaasss!!

Ok, ok, on to the review…

Pattern Description:

 
Close-fitting, unlined jackets have raised neckline with front or front
band extending into gathered back collar, long sleeves and stitched
hems. A, B: Lower back peplum and shaped front hemline. D: Self-belt.

SEWING LEVEL: Beginner

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, very.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
love the variations to the back of the cardigan, it’s a pretty popular pattern on Pattern review.
Fabric Used:
ITY knit from FabricMart, it feels and looks more like a sweater knit.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
I used the front of view B, the longer version and the back of view C/D.  In using view B, I had to take off the points of view B to make the hem balanced with the back which was roughly 3 inches.  I made this a duster by adding 23″ to the hem.  So, for view B, I added 20 inches to the front and 23 inches to the back.  I didn’t follow the “correct” method of adding length, adding it incrementally through out the pattern, I added to the bottom and went with it.  Note:  I cut size XXL but I should have cute size XL for the shoulders and graded out to the XXL, my shoulders drooped a bit.  I did a one inch bicep adjustment.  I interfaced the hem an inch and top-stitched.  I also stabilized the shoulder and neckline since the duster was so long.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
YAAASSS!!! to both.   I’ll probably make a lightweight version in a jersey for everyday wear.  Dusters add a little something to an outfit.