Tuesday, July 1, 2008

KwikSew 3575

Pattern Description: Misses' (woven) Dress and Tunic have center back zipper, armholes finished with facings, and front is gathered to round neckband forming shoulder straps. View A has front gathered to an attached belt with ties: belt and neckband are made from contrast fabric.

Like Loohoo, I made this dress in a knit rather than a woven, which is the only reason I put "recommend, with modifications" above. Otherwise it would just be a straight recommendation, but I really don't think this dress was designed for a woven unless it's a very, very drapy one.

Pattern Sizing: Standard KS sizing, SX - XL. I normally wear a M in KS, but cut an S this time because I was using stretch.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? The best thing about KwikSew patterns is that your result ALWAYS looks better than what's on the envelope.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I went back and forth from the instructions and doing it my way, simply because the change in fabric necessitated a few changes in construction. But I can never fault KwikSew's instructions - they are clear to the point that I've never gotten bollixed up on one of their patterns.

Note: This has already been noted, but it can't be noted too many times. The back pattern piece is marked "cut on fold," but it should be cut in two pieces because it's a shaped back seam and also for zipper insertion.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I have to thank Loohoo her brilliant idea because if I had only looked at the KS envelope photo and drawing I would have passed this one by. The drawing and photo make this dress look boxy and a little dowdy. In the right fabric, it's certainly not dowdy.

The dress isn't hemmed yet because (a) I can't find my double needle, and (b) I'm still considering the length, though I think I like it more or less where it is. I love the back view with the ties.

Fabric Used: Stretch jersey from Gorgeous Things. The pattern is called "Burning Bush."

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: As mentioned above, the back pattern piece is marked "cut on fold" but that's where the CB zipper is intended to be inserted, if you're using one (since I used a stretch fabric, I omitted the zipper but still used the CB seam for shaping. Other than that, and changing the type of fabric, I left the pattern pretty much alone.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely. I liked the circular neckline construction - inserting the front and back pieces was easy and the whole dress went together quickly and without a blip. In other words, it went together like a Kwiksew. I can never fault their pattern drafting, even when the drawings/photos aren't good.

Conclusion: Had to get this review posted since I wore the dress to the PR get-together in Baltimore and there are pictures out there of me wearing it.

3 comments:

Kitty Couture said...

Great dress. Love the neckline, and the fabric *is* gorgeous.
I have yet to try my hand at a Kwik Sew pattern!

Cennetta said...

Lovely dress, Karen.

Dawn said...

Love it!!!!!! I love the fabrics you pick out.