Wednesday, May 13, 2009

BWOF 12/08 #114 Dress

Pattern Description: The casually-cut nightgown with short raglan sleeves is cinched with a self-fabric tie-belt to accentuate the waist. Right, it's actually supposed to be a nightgown. Except that #113, the top version, has the exact same fit and I liked all the reviews but I wanted a dress. So nightgown pattern + dress fabric = dress. A more accurate description would be raglan-sleeve dress with pleated neckline.

Pattern Sizing: BWOF sizes 36-44. I cut my standard 38, but this was generously sized so I ended up with 3/4" seam allowances on the sides.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? It no longer looks like a nightgown. It looks like the cool top version, but with short sleeves. I like BWOF's two-piece raglan sleeve, but not the open-underarm version on the nightie. Just a little too much ventilation for work.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I glanced at them - this would be a great first BWOF pattern, it's got simple lines and the pieces fit well. The only even vaguely complicated part is the pleating at the neckline, but that would work just as well (to me) as gathers.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the neckline and the easy shape of the dress. I got this fabric during my last trip to NY and I wanted a simple dress which would let the fabric shine.

Fabric Used: Red/gold/black stained glass print rayon/lycra blend from Metro Textiles. I asked Kashi for 2 yards, and I got enough to make this dress, my favorite KwikSew tshirt and possibly something else.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Not many at all. As I said above, I like BWOF's two-piece raglan sleeve, but not the open underarm of the nightgown pattern. The top version had long sleeves, so I used that pattern piece and just traced them to the length I wanted. (It's cold in my office all summer, and I wanted at least some sleeve). This pattern is generously cut - since it's either supposed to be a nightbown or an "overblouse" (tshirt as overblouse? Who is BWOF kidding?) - there was room to spare and I used pretty large seam allowances. Their description of how to sew on the neckband left a lot to be desired, so I'm glad I didn't read it until after I'd sewn the band on the way I normally would. Why do they try to confuse us on the simple stuff?

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might sew this again sometime. It's a good pattern for when you have a fabric that doesn't need a lot of fussy details (which is good for me, because while there are a lot of solid color knits in my stash, every knit dress in my closet is more patterned than the next). I would definitely recommend it as a fast, easy pattern without a lot of detail or fitting issues. A good choice as a first knit (or first BWOF).

Conclusion: I wanted to finish this dress for our mother's day dinner out, but we had to get an early start and I hadn't done the hem yet. So instead wore it yesterday - we had tickets for Leonard Cohen at the Academy of Music and it was a comfortable dress for dinner and going to the theater and sitting for a 3 hour show.

And don't get me started on the show. That man does not look, move or sound his age, and the show was worth every penny we paid for the tickets.

11 comments:

Faye Lewis said...

Both are very cute.

Rachel said...

I love it. The fabric is gorgeous!!

gwensews said...

No one will ever know you're wearing your nightie at work! Nice transition!

BeeBee said...

I made this pattern as a night shirt and it was huge on me. I ended up turning the whole thing inside-out and taking in 2inches on both sides from cuff to hem. It's a tad tight at the bust and elbow, but that's all. I was so frustrated by then, I just cut did it. Next time I will make it smaller - probably cut the pattern without seam allowances and sew it as is. I love the neckline, too, quite, um, witty, as I recall. Oh, and I've also drafted a sleeve pattern as one piece, though I haven't used it yet.
I really like the dress idea, sometimes we get so caught up in what it's supposed to be that we forget it can be something else. And Kashi really scored with the fabric.
Thanks for showing this, great review.

Little Hunting Creek said...

Very pretty dress and only you will know the secret :)

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

I'm glad this makes up well as a dress--it seemed wasted as a nightgown. Those colors are great for you!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I love that you got the tee and the dress from the same fabric! BTW, did you buy this the last time I was with you at Kashi's?

goodworks1 said...

I really like the dress!

But what got me to leave a comment was the mention of Leonard Cohen. I don't even want to think about how many years ago it was that I'd listen to his albums for hours on end.... :D So he's still around and performing? Amazing! Good for him!

Meg said...

Ooh, I love it when Kashi is generous! Nice work on these pieces. And to see Leonard Cohen! Jealous.

Kat said...

What a great outfit, Karen. And that print/coloring is going to look FAB on you!

Tany said...

Lovely, it's a fabulous looking dress!