Thursday, January 17, 2013

What's up with Simplicity 2147?



I started this project before we moved, sewing it up to the point where all I would normally have left to do is hem the sleeves and bottom edge.  But, as soon as I tried it on, I was not crazy about the fit.




Ok.  Not the worst, but it definitely has a house dress/hospital gown feel for me.  Now let's turn it to the side...




Theeeere it is.  Baby got back.  This is not a good look for me.  I'm not positive, but I think the back pleats just make the whole thing too full.  Maybe if I add a belt?




Better.  But, let's turn it to the side again...




Ok.  Not flattering.  At all.  One last try...let's add a cardigan.




Looks ok, but I'm not sure if I actually want to wear a cardigan with it all the time just to make it passable.  I can't tell if the whole look of the dress is just wrong for me, or if re-making it without the pleats in the back could make it look better.  As for this particular dress, I'm thinking of cutting it off and making it a top. What do you think?

8 comments:

  1. i would probably add 2 darts in the back (and maybe the front too) to remove some excess fabric. I have a similar style dress that i started on last year and is sitting abandoned on a shelf waiting to be fixed =)

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    1. I think I'm going to put it on my dress form and pin some in just to see how that would look. I have to be a bit careful though, since the dress just slips on over my head rather than having any sort of zipper or closure.

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  2. Omigosh! My thoughts as I scrolled:
    1) I want that pattern! It looks easy!! Who will teach me?
    2) Oh. Um. Maybe she's pregnant? (It's just so BIG on you!)
    3)Better with the belt! Much better.

    I have no idea about pleats, but I think it's the back that's messing it up. It just looks big on you! But it IS a cute dress and I'd def want a dress like this! Looks almost like an old black one I had from Target that I wore until I HAD to throw it away.

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    1. It has a lot of cute details (the pleating at the neckline is nice), but yeah it's definitely big! I've seen a lot of other bloggers make this successfully. Maybe I need to go down a size? I may take this apart and re-cut the back piece without the pleats.

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  3. Hi Anna! I've nominated you for the Liebster Award! It's because I love your blog and think it's awesome:D I've posted about it on my blog so you can get more information- http://thedressmakingdiaries.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/liebster-award_20.html
    Best wishes,
    Freya May
    P.s. Sucks it didnt work out quite right, good luck with the nxt one :D

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  4. I am in the process of researching reviews on this pattern. Just bought it and now looking up what others have made. This is NOT good in the back and thank you for showing it! I wonder if others really haven't had this issue, or if they all just wear belts and cardigans. I'm curious to see how many other pictures I can find where ladies show how the back hangs. Thanks for the pictures! You can find me over at The Pretty Pickle (blogger). :)

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    1. Glad this is helpful for you! I'm thinking the pattern can be altered to remove some of the fullness in the back. Cut without the pleats, perhaps?

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  5. I had the same issue - looked decent from the front but way to "balloony" from the sides. I've since remade the dress w/o the front and back pleats - and I've used knit fabric instead of woven. Much, much better. I still won't wear it w/o a belt, but it's no longer too bulky looking.

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