Pattern Review: V9197 + Floral dress

I feel like a sewing maniac!  I’ve tried to complete one garment a week and get me a few things for spring sewn up,  I have spring fever!  Florals are always appropriate for this time of year so when browsing the web for fabric, I tend to look for florals and nice bold colors and prints.  I’m also going to a brunch in early April and I wanted something really pretty to wear that I made.  I’ve trying a few patterns and I’m not in love with any of the one’s I’ve tried.  I will need to pick something soon because I don’t want to wait until the last minute.

My son said this dress looked a little mature, well he said old!  He thinks the neckline is too high.  I don’t disagree, but maybe this neckline is fine for this style, but not what I’m looking for for my brunch and maybe in a different print, like the stripes, it would look more young and modern.   This is a polyester ponte knit and although it has good weight and drape, it’s already starting to pill.  This is my “wearable” muslin so I’m not concerned, but one of the issues with some types of polyester.

This was also my first time shopping at LA Finch fabrics and I haven’t been disappointed.  I purchased this fabric as a remnant and I do like it so I think it’s a win.

Ok, on to the review:

Pattern Description:

Pattern Sizing:

14-22.  I cut size 22 D cup, view A.

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 are easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I really like that it’s drafted with different cups sizes.  I also like the super simple design and pockets!  I don’t know if it’s a dislike so much as a challenge for me, but I couldn’t get the french dart right.  I asked around in my Facebook groups and I was told to maybe curve it, I still need to tweak it a bit.

Fabric Used:

Polyester Ponte knit/ Power mesh for bodice lining

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
*  I did a 5/8 forward shoulder adjustment

* Another review stated it ran small so I graded up to a 24 at the bust and waist using the D cup size, I probably should have not graded or used the C cup and graded to the 24 to get my dart right.  Since my ponte was stable, I treated my adjustments as I would for a woven.

*I stabilized the shoulder seams and the waist with knit interfacing since the Ponte had some weight to it.

* I added 4 inches to view to the hem as per my customary length adjustments, however, I ordinarily on had about 2 inches to hems but this dress was short , 38 in for view A, I’m most comfortable with a hem of 42 ish  (I’m 5’9″, pattern is drafted for someone 5’6″).

* 2 Inch bicep adjustment.  Pattern had a finished bicep of 15 1/2 half, I’m most comfortable with a 17 in on woven/stable knits.

* I used an invisible zipper

* Step 16 doesn’t tell you to trim the seam and underline, but I did, you top stitch the neckline, but I’m just accustomed to trimming the seam to 1/4 inch and under stitching. 

Would you sew it again? 

I think so, maybe I will try a modern print or solid color  and shorten it a bit.  I also didn’t lengthen the bodice because when I tissue fitted it hit at the waist and I thought the weight of the skirt would pull it down a bit, but I will lengthen the bodice 5/8 inch if I make it again.

Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, I would recommend it .  Easy pattern, good for beginners, I had some trouble fitting the french dart, but with a little practice a beginner can tackle this, especially with the different cup sizes.

I want to hear from you, what do you think, is this neckline more on the mature side?  Have you sewn this pattern, did you like it, do you have plans to sew it?