Simplicity - 2638

Pattern Description: Misses dress or day gown, with v - neck bodice, midriff front, gathered skirt and key hole back bodice....

Pattern sizing: 6 - 16

Did it look like the photo once you were done with it? Yes, except for mine was shorten...

Were the instructions easy to follow: Yes, very simple and easy to follow....after one good read through you didn't need them after...




What did you like or dislike about this pattern: I like this pattern..It was fairly simple and easy to follow, I like the keyhole design and the two small button closure in the back

Fabric Used: Black and white poly georgette

Lining: Black china lining used for the bodice and the dress




Pattern alterations or any design changes: I needed to broaden the back of the pattern so I trace off the back bodice on tracing paper so I could alter it... I made a 1/2 broad back alteration..I also added 1/2 to the midriff back...I cut off about 15 inch from the bottom hem to shorten the dress and I omitted the gathering around the midriff of the skirt....

Would you sew it again? Would recommend it to others.... Yes, I will definitely make this again..I like the fact that you can use this pattern for a formal or a casual day wear dress.....

Simplicity 4255

My daughter graduated from fifth grade on Thursday....

Pattern description: Girls/Girls plus dress with bodice variations, shrug, flower and bag
I made view B with the shrug and a flower

Pattern sizing: 8 - 16. I made a size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing: yes I think so...

Were the instructions easy to follow: Yes very easy... One complete read through and you really don't need it after that....

What did you like or dislike about this pattern: I liked everything about this pattern..The instructions were easy to follow...the dress only had 5 pieces to the pattern and the shrug was super easy...that was only two pieces to the pattern and the lining...
The only thing I would do different next time is to add length to the dress... its not as long as it appears on the model...


Fabric used: I used a stretch cotton sateen... very pretty, soft to the touch and easy to work with..

Lining: I used china silk for the bodice and the skirt......

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made a few changes...I omitted the ribbon in between the bodice and the skirt and added a flower on the jacket instead. the second thing I did was to add two darts to the back of the skirt to take in some of the ease..her back is really curved in that area and I fully lined the skirt by attaching it to the bodice lining.....



Would you sew this again: I doubt it... this is a one time affair for this dress... However I highly recommend it... super easy and great for beginners.....

Towering Torture Chambers

I read an interested article online this morning titled.. Andre Leon Talley Hopes Insanely High Heels Are Finally On the Way out.....The article states that Mr Tally has had enough of watching his Vogue colleagues suffer for fashion in the torture chambers designers call shoes..He also states that designers with an obsession for towering torture chambers(very high heel shoes) are often poorly designed for the well being of the foot and must get a reality check...He is over the mania for high heel ..

I am really feeling him on this article and I do agree...The heels are just ridiculously high...and its seem that every store you go into have these shoes...Do they realize that not everyone is into the suffering for the sake of looking cute and fashionable....I admit some of them are really hot and I have tried a pair or two just to get a feel.. but thats as far as I will go......

What happened to the 2" heels.. I am too old to be running around with 4" or higher on my feet....My poor calves scream if I try to put anything on my feet over 2" high........

What are your views on these Towering Torture Chambers as called by Mr Talley....Do you wear them... when? and how high do you go?

BURDA TUNIC

It's been over two months since I have posted a finished project....what have I been doing during that time.. not a darn thing... just reading blogs and waiting for my sewing mojo to return...It finally returned at the beginning of June which is a special month for me and my daughter... She graduates from the fifth grade next Thursday and I have two dresses to complete by this weekend..... In between cutting and sewing the dresses I was able to complete a BWOF Tunic...........Here is my review.

BWOF 3-2009-103-TUNIC

I am really starting to love Burda patterns even though the instructions don't always make sense... I approach a burda pattern instructions with the same mind set that I would use when I am trying to follow a knitting pattern instruction...which don't always make sense... I read the instructions and then fill in the blanks with words to complete the sentence..lol.... As I have come to realize patterns are written in the shortest format with as few words a possible. Any how, this is my review on this really great pattern.


Pattern Description: Dress or a tunic depending on your style.. front and back of tunic is attached to a ring shaped shoulder yoke...

Fabric: I used a bright floral knit with a contrasting black knit for the neckline/shoulder area.

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? For Burda these were very simple and easy to follow.. I read through the instructions once and just starting sewing from there.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern - I love this pattern..


Likes: there are only 4 pieces to this tunic..

all pieces are cut on the fold.. the front and back is cut once on the fold and the front and back yoke is cut twice on the fold....


Dislikes: After I finished sewing I realized that the underarm is too high...which gives it a close fit after the seam has been sewn... for me it wasn't a problem since its a knit and it has some stretch and my arms are fairly thin.... however someone with a larger arm may find it uncomfortable... Next time I make it I will cut the under arm hole a little lower...


I find the neckline a bit wide.. I dont know if this was due to the contrasting knit fabric I used for the neckline.. This knit has more stretch than the floral knit used for the body....

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't make any alterations to this pattern... I didn't even add any extra seam allowance.. I cut a size 44 and sewed it together using a 5/8 allowance.....


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I highly recommend this pattern for a quick tunic or dress.. and for those who would like to try a Burda pattern for the first time I would definitely recommend this one because the instructions are were very easy to follow




Simplicity It's so easy - S2638
This is a peek at my dress that I am wearing to the graduation... It's not finished I still have to sew the zip in place and hem both the lining and dress... I will post a review and more pics later...