Pattern Review: V9021- Revamped

I’m a firm believer in doing things right.  So, I went back through some of my reviews to figure out if I could improve on them before moving on to new patterns.  Some patterns where hard for me, but now after a little practice, they don’t seam so scary.  Also, with using the forums on Pattern review, I’ve learned a lot about fitting and how to be happy with what I’ve made.

So, this pattern is one of the first I reviewed.  My biggest mistake was not finishing it and figuring out what the problem was, I chalk that up to inexperience.  The next mistake was putting the  dress on a dress form 10x smaller than myself and I pinned it up to take pictures, Ugh!! (what was I thinking). I don’t think putting it on the dress form did the pattern or me any good, so I decided to revisit this pattern.

I originally had this in the dump pile as I thought it was not save-able but I was wrong.   I hemmed it, took the seam ripper to it and tweaked it just a bit and I must say, It’s a beauty.  I’m updating my pattern review and pictures.

Earrings blowing in the wind.

I felt like I was a part of the wall so I went outside to take picture.

Pattern Description:

Fitted dress has front and back extending into sleeve, back zipper, hemline slit.

Pattern Sizing:

14-22  I cut a 22


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

Yes, however the ponte knit draped more a linen would have held it’s shoulder shape better.. I will try with a handkerchief linen per another review for more structure.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

It was a great pattern lots and lots of darts!!!


Fabric Used:

Ponte knit from Fabric Mart


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

*Graded the pattern to a 24, grading the waist to a size 22 and the skirt to a 24.
* I basted  and fitted it to my hips
*I originally graded up for a woven but made adjustments for the ponte which was coming down almost to a 22.
* I increased the side seam under the arm for the sleeve by about an inch for modesty
* I didn’t use the sleeve facing, I just folded under 5/8 in and top stitched.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, in a nice crepe or linen.

Cost:


Pattern: $5
Fabric: $8 for 1.5 yrds ( I purchased a piece)
Notions: Zipper $1.50
Total: $14.50

Time:
7 hrs (one of my first, took me a while to figure it out) including about 2 hrs fitting and correcting the original dress.

Conclusion:

Good beginner pattern with lots of dart practice!  Give this one a try, I think a pear shaped lady looking for some balance in the shoulder area would benefit from trying this pattern.