Pattern Report: Simplicity, Cynthia Rowley 2305, two more satin party dresses

After finishing the berry colored satin party dress for my daughter, I began the second dress for my daughter. She selected an lovely, emerald green satin fabric from Hancock Fabrics and a Cynthia Rowley pattern, Simplicity 2305.

The Cynthia Rowley pattern, Simplicity 2305 does not have the elastic sleeves my daughter found objectionable in Kwik Sew 3538, but the pattern does have very sculpted and quilted sleeves that produce a puffy look at the top of the sleeve. I pointed the sleeve out to my daughter and we went online to look at finished dresses on pattern review. She thought she liked the look... I spent to hours working on the sleeeves...only to discover that she really did not like the look of the quilted sleeve. Again, the puffiness was a problem...are you seeing a theme?

The pattern envelope has a photo of a girl wearing a skirt that is version D of this pattern and a top that is not included in the pattern options but looks a lot like the bodice before adding the quilted sleeves. I showed the envelop to my daughter and suggested we remove the quilted sleeves. Since she is petite, the sleeves were longer than the photo, almost to her elbows and gave the dress a nice look that would not leave her cold in a party during a fall evening. Dress saved.

My daughter paired the dress with the same black leather belt she used for the berry colored dress so I decided that the waist band was unnecessary work and if I made the dress again I would sew it an one piece rather than the separate skirt and bodice per the pattern.

Simplicity 2305, front vi

The third dress my daughter asked me to make was a fabulous black and white polka dot chiffon that she wanted me to make using Vogue DKNY pattern 1160. After reading the PR reviews, it was clear that the sleeves on 1160 are difficult to make...but more important, had the same unusual design my daughter was finding objectionable in earlier dresses. After examining the photo of the DKNY dress, I decided to use my adapted Cynthia Rowley 2305 pattern to make the polka dot chiffon dress. I omitted the quilted sleeve and combined the bodice and skirt in one cut. The dress was quick to sew and once belted had the look my daughter wanted without the fuss of persuading a teenager to stop for fittings.

Here's the review:

Pattern Description:

Pattern Sizing:
I made a size 6 for my petite daughter, but needed to shorten the dress by about 4 inches and take in the sides quite a bit.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
My daughter disliked the sleeves, which were quite puffy.


Fabric Used:
Satin from Hancock Fabrics


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I removed the quilted sleeve detail in the first dress.


In the second dress, I omitted the quilted sleeve and cut the bodice and skirt as one piece (omitting the waist band and substituting a self belt).

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes.  I've made this dress twice for my daughter and think it is a winner.


Conclusion: This is a really nice pattern.

Pattern Report: Vogue 8522, purple fleece jacket

Vogue 8522 made with purple fleece

Score! I bought this pattern because I wanted a new fall jacket. I bought some inexpensive purple fleece at Hancock Fabrics to use as a wearable muslin... but my daughter decided she loved the look and so I made Vogue 8522 jacket for her rather than me. This is an easy to make, cute jacket that my daughter wears over dresses. Perfect for fall!



Pattern Description: Jacket with kimono sleeves


Pattern Sizing: 8-16
I made a size 8.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes.


Were the instructions easy to follow? yes


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Fabric Used: purple fleece on sale for $3/yard at Hancock Fabrics.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes. This jacket is cute. I would have made one for myself, bu my daughter forbade it...I'll have to wait a year or two, but I will make this jacket for me using a nice wool.


Conclusion: Vogue 8522 is a winner!


Further Reading:
Vogue Revised & Updated
Vogue Sewing; Editors of Vogue & Butterick

Updated Scorecard!

I've spent so much free time sewing, I am behind on both reviews and photographs.... but I wanted to share the "scorecard" for my sewing with a pattern adventure for late September and early October.

Recommend
Simplicity 1989 (woven dress)
Butterick 5211 (woven dress)
Kwik Sew 3379 (fleece jacket)

Pattern OK, but will not Sew Again
Kwik Sew 3658 (knit dress)

Photos to follow.

Pattern Report: Kwik Sew 3379, purple fleece blazer

Kwik Sew 3379

Pattern Description: Cardigan

Pattern Sizing: XS-S-M-L-XL 
I made the extra small.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Although the description is "cardigan," the drawing looked more like an unstructured jacket. I like the shape and the fabric drapes well. I also like the pocket placement!!

The pattern calls for serging the edges for decorative effect. While I liked the look, I had trouble maintaining proper tension and the edges turned out a tad more wavy in places than I preferred.


Fabric Used: Fleece on sale from Hancock Fabrics for $3/yard


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I may sew this again. I like the shape, but I think I will finish the next garment in a different manner.

Conclusion: I do recommend this pattern.  It was easy and the finished garment has a nice shape.

Pattern Report: Simplicity 1989, classic woven dress

Simplicity 1989 in silk charmeuse

Pattern Description: Simplicity 1989 Sew Simple Misses Pullover Dress and belt

Pattern Sizing:  Size 6-8-10-12-14-16-18 
I cut an 8 at the top and then tapered down to a size 12 on the bottom.

Simplicity 1989

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very.

Simplicity 1989, wearable muslin in rayon

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love patterned silk so I am often on the hunt for a simple design for a dress.  This pattern fits the bill. The simple, classic design highlights the colorful patterns on the silk and the ease the sewing works will for a slippery, difficult fabric.

Fabric Used: 
I used a rayon from Fabric Mart on sale $3/yard as my wearable muslin. I liked the dress so much I wore it to a cocktail party. My second and third dresses using this pattern were made from printed silk charmeuse. I used VERY different fabrics for each dress and my family were surprised when I told them all three dresses were made from the same pattern.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added a facing to the neckline and then I used decorative top stitch rather than using bias tape.

I adjusted the bust dart.

I added fullness to the sleeves by cutting the sleeves to a 10, but left the armscythe an 8.

On the third dress I made using this pattern, I laid the back piece on the fold. The back center seam was not needed and interfered with the pattern on the lovely blue silk charmeuse.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes. This pattern is a keeper! I highly recommend this pattern.

Conclusion: A great pattern!

Pattern Report: Butterick 5211, silk panel dress

Butterick 5211

I bought some fantastic colorful silk fabric with a distinctive panel.  The fabric was expensive so I bought only two yards. The fabric demanded a simple dress design to take best advantage of the luscious material. Butterick 5211 was just the ticket.


Pattern Description: Fast & Easy, Misses' Dress and Belt

Pattern Sizing: BB, 8, 10, 12, 14
I cut a size 8 on the top and then tapered down to a size 12.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I was using a very expensive panel silk and I wanted a simple pattern that showed off the panel but that I could cut using only two yards of fabric.


Fabric Used:
A really yummy red panel silk from Exquisite Fabrics in Georgetown.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: 
I cut the back on the fold to take advantage of the panel.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I will likely sew it again and I highly recommend this pattern. It is a simple pattern that shows off prints and was especially good for a print panel.


Conclusion: B5211 is a great pattern. I will likely use it again and I highly recommend it. Photos to follow.

Pattern Report: Kwik Sew 3658, blue knit top

Kwik Sew 3658

I saw this pattern on patternreview. Marjoriekh's review particularly intrigued me. I loved what she did in her one pattern, many dress entry.


Pattern Description: Kwik Sew 3658 Misses' Dress & Top

Pattern Sizing: XS-S-M-L-XL 
I cut an XS and tapered to a M. The dress was small....something that has never before happened to me in a Kwik Sew or other pattern....but it fit my daughter perfectly.

Kwik Sew 3658

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the shape of the pattern. The top is nice and the double layer from the facing makes the top well suited for fall.


Fabric Used: Cotton interlock from Hancock Fabrics


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made a lettuce hem to the top and sleeves to create a more youthful look for my daughter.


On the advice of PR reviews, I stitched the neckline 1-inch higher than called for in the pattern. ... and I was glad I did so. Thanks PR!!

Kwik Sew 3658

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I may make the dress. I recommend it, but read the reviews on PR, there are good tips.


Conclusion: I enjoyed this pattern and my daughter was thrilled with the top.