Well despite being unwell, I finished this dress. There has been a fair number of changes since the muslin.
The pattern is the Bootstrap Fashion Fitted Bodice Dress with Pleats and Pockets (nothing frothy about that name). I made a pretty rookie error with my measurements, and so had to adjust the pattern. A extra dart was inserted in the front, and the back dart widened. I could probably take the back in a bit more at the waist. I lengthened the skirt panels. Firstly, because the muslin was uncomfortably short, at least for me. And I wanted to really showcase the print; the whole point of this dress.
Despite purchasing a generous amount of fabric, that skirt sucks up fabric, and I had to finickle around to fit the bodice in. It has meant that I have ended up with a blue bird at the centre of my chest, but it could have been two of them in pastie position so I figure work with what you have.
One factor that impacted on this sew, was the instructions. Incomprehensible in parts, completely wrong in others, and in one instance, completely missing.
There were a number of issues with the pattern, some where they didn’t match my body, but some at total fault of the pattern.
* the bust points are a little close together for my (admittedly) slightly less perky than most body.
* the front and back bodice/skirt are sewn separately, to allow for the insertion of an invisible side zip. Sewing the side seam is in the instructions at least 2 other ways, neither of which work with a zip insertion.Â
* at no point is the waist seam stitched in the round (with the bodice stuffed inside the skirt) despite that being in the instructions
* understitching the pockets would stop them bulging out
* no instructions on stay stitching the back neckline
* there is an incomprehensible seam method for stitching the front and back together at the shoulders, feeding them through a gap in the neckline (the one that is not staystitched and therefore can stretch out) and then stitching. I assume its meant to be similar to when you sew a sleeve hem in a bagged jacket, but I could not figure it out, and went with my own method.Â
I am really pleased with this one, and can see myself using it as a pseudo-block, for future dresses.
