Sver-Integer Girl! She's on her way to becoming a Swedish citizen!
This is officially my second anniversary with PR! It's wonderful to not feel alone in my personal enjoyment of sewing/crafting! I enjoy reading and admiring many of the projects and learning many cool tips and methods (my bookmarked list keeps growing and growing!)- I wish I had the time to use all of them! It's especially nice to meet some new "virtual" friends.
From my very first PR review, Heather's Numbers Dress.
Pattern Description
CHILDREN’S AND GIRLS’ TOPS, SHORTS AND CAPRI PANTS: Loose fitting, pullover tops has flounce or ruffles; tops A, B have contrast front inset with purchased trim, shoulder straps with knot and back elastic; top B has self-fabric bow; tops C, D have self-lined bodice, tiers of ruffle with stay and button and buttonhole closures; straight-legged shorts or capri pants have elastic waist; shorts E have side slits; capri pants F have stitched hem; capri pants G have ankle casings with drawstrings.
I chose view "B" with the double shoulder straps having a knot at each shoulder.
Size
Girls' M-L-XL. I made Heather a "M" which corresponded to a girls' 7/8.
Fabric
Alexander Henry "What's Your Number?" cotton fabric from ebay. I could not find this fabric in online stores except from one seller at ebay!
I was inspired by Contrariwise's integer dress from the same fabric. I found the fabric on ebay for $8.50 a yard. Then I intensely searched the internet for this Alexander Henry "What's Your Number?" fabric. This is the first time I ever heard of this famous manufacturer for quilting cotton fabric. I did not have luck, but I found lots of groovy designs on several websites. So, I resorted to ebay and placed the next higher bid. I asked for more from the seller (5 yards!) and purchased 2 2/3 yards from what was remaining on the bolt. That's all she had left! It was better than nothing. I paid about $31 with tax and shipping.
Directions
The directions were satisfactory and sufficient. However, the directions and diagrams for attaching the inset and the front facing could be reworked.
Likes
I like the overall style: the little circle skirt, the inset, the elastic back and the unusual shoulder straps.
Dislikes
Attaching the inset was tricky! I had a some difficulty pinning and basting that poorly drafted piece (seemed larger than it should be) onto the front "V" of the neckline. The diagram for attaching the inset should be changed so that the inset be basted along the seam of the v-section of the neckline instead of simply across inset, below the upper trim. Trying to do it in reality was another story. Then I spent some time staring at the diagram for attaching the front facing over the inset from the inside of the dress. The diagram showed the facing from the inside with the left hand side already turned out, with the right hand side's edges attached to the neckline. I fiddled with the orientation quite a bit before the "aha!" moment.
Modifications
I made sure to have Heather try on the dress several times to adjust the back elastic and the length of the shoulder straps. She usually wears a girls' 5/6.
* I cut 2" from the back elastic's length that was marked on the pattern piece.
* I cut about 3"-4" from the bottom of the straps before stitching them to the back casing.
Conclusion
Despite my interesting experience with the inset, the dress is really simple to construct. I definitely would recommend this for beginners since there are no zippers, buttonholes, snaps to worry about. The circle skirt really adds some pizazz!
