BWOF 6/2010 #109 Dress

So it's May 31, and I've already made something from the June issue of Burda. Do I have to tell you how good that feels?

Since it was a long day - family cooking (I'm still uncomfortably full 6 hours after we got home), and then a little sewing - I'm going to leave you with my Patternreview because I really, really need to get some sleep.

Pattern Description: Figure-hugging jersey dress with cap-sleeves, "witty" front gathers and inset. (Combination description from BWOF patterns #108 and #109, top and dress using same gathered front detail; not sure how witty it is!) This is what the line drawinglooks like.

Pattern Sizing: BWOF sizes 36-44. I made a 38, my usual size in their knit patterns.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? It looks like the line drawing. Their dress is in a fairly busy print, and mine is in an even busier one. Can't see the details for the details, but I like it.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't really look at them at the time, but going back and reading them after, they were actually pretty good for Burda. They described the neckline well, and that was really the only place to get hung up.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I've been jonesing for a new knit dress. Most of my projects lately have been more structured, so this was a definite head-cleaner for me.

Fabric Used: Stretch jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics. Resting in stash for a little over a year. I'm glad to have finally used it.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None at all. I liked the design the way it was. I wasn't too sure about the gathers, whether or not they'd be flattering, and I'm still actually note sure - they kind of disappear into my fabric. I didn't like the way the fabric lined up at center front - I miscalculated the way the print would meet in the upper bodice sections so there's a difference between the upper fronts and the center front piece. To disguise it slightly, I made a tube of the leftover fabric, tied a bow and tacked it down at the neck. Works for me.

The neckline treatment makes for a neat finish - they have you cut a strip of fabric, fold it in half, and sew it right sides together with the neckline, starting at one side front and going all the way around to the other. Then you press it, flip it inside and topstitch it down. The center front point gets folded down at the top and then the two sides get sewn all the way to the center, completely enclosing the center piece.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'd definitely make this one again. It went together quickly, though it still took me the better part of 5 days since I kept getting interrupted. If you had a few hours alone with your machine, you'd have a new dress. Burda calls it figure-hugging, but it's definitely not so tight you couldn't wear it to work. The neckline also looks lower than it really is - this isn't your typical Burda plunge.

Conclusion: Another easy, flattering knit dress from Burda.