Wearing History Test Pattern Success!

Lauren graciously picked me to be a pattern tester for the new "Tea At Two" pattern in her shop.

My in-depth review of the construction process can be found here, here and here. The following review will be posted to the Wearing History site and to Pattern Review in the very near future, but the great folks at Sew Retro get to see it first!


The "Robin Hood" Dress


Pattern Description: Mid 1930s Day or Afternoon Dress

Pattern Sizing: Size Pack B- Size 18-20-22

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? Sort of. Since the instructions are from the 1930s, they may or may not make sense to a modern sewer. I had a little issue with the bodice instructions especially the bound buttonholes/facing bit, but even those were surmountable once I put my bi-focals on.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I LOVE, love love love love, LOVE how the pattern pieces fit together *perfectly*. Anyone who has ever had to deal with a mismatched pattern will know what I'm talking about. Also, the value for the money is EXCELLENT. The paper is a nice heavy paper that I can make my alterations on directly rather than trace it off then blahblahblah. Or worse pay through the nose to have the whole affair copied onto heavy paper so I can make my alterations. Very much a win, here.


BUTTONS!



Dislikes? The pattern instruction sheet. Especially the fact that the short sleeve version instructions were on the very last page. It would have been more intuitive to have them up front.

Fabric Used: Faux stretch microsuede. The up side? It doesn't ravel. The down side? You can't iron it. But it looks KILLER in person.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Graded up in size a bit and shortened the skirt length by 1.5" because I'm chronically short.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and Yes. I am making it in white as soon as I get done with this week and I will gladly shout it from the rafters what a great pattern it is.

Wearing History - Tea at Two

I'm blogging my progress as a pattern tester for Wearing History's Tea at Two pattern over at my blog. My progress will be blogged in stages, but I'd like to share with you something that isn't on my blog. :-D

I cut the muslin out last night using the short sleeved version. I'm using a suedelike green fabric and some goldtone fillagree-ish buttons from my stash. Originally, the fabric was supposed to be a muslin for a suit - oh about 3 years or so ago. The down side is that I need 4 more buttons and a belt buckle to make this thing work. I would've made the long sleeve version, but it's WAY too hot here to do so right now and by the time cool enough weather rolls around, well... who knows.

I want to say THANK YOU (get it? "big" thank you) to

Lauren at Wearing History for making this opportunity possible. If you can, check out her blog and/or store to see what's happening over there.

Now, off to the fabric store to look for additional buttons!

June's Pin Dot Dress: The Halfway Point

I've been sewing on this dress at every spare moment and I've finally reached the halfway point!

I can't thank everyone enough for your incredible feedback. I love it! I've decided to take a personal risk and enter this dress into Pattern Review's Vintage Pattern Contest. *eep*

Please visit my blog for more pictures and chatter about this dress. I really am falling in love with it. :)

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PS: Have I ever mentioned my zipper phobia? This one has a big 'un that I need to sew in down the back. Tips and tricks for sewing an invisible zipper are welcome. Otherwise, I'll end up bald and stressed out. Not a good look when wearing the dress, methinks.