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From: driver8amy
Date: 02-01-2005, 04:03 PM (1 of 17)
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Hello! I’m new to the forum. I would like to get some opinions on the difficulty of a pattern. It’s a sleeveless wrap maternity dress. I first tried sewing about 15 years ago, but I’ve only practiced sporadically (a couple loose jumpers, curtains, a messenger bag, lots of pillows and some other small projects). I’m working on a really old, but dependable, Singer (1950s), so I don’t have a lot of fancy attachments or anything. Here’s a link to the pattern (Vogue #2750, Dress C): http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2750=x&TI=20012&pageNum=1 Does this look doable for a beginner like myself? What might cause the most difficulty? Thanks!!  --Amy |
User: driver8amy
Member since: 02-01-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-01-2005, 04:19 PM (2 of 17)
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The pattern company rates it as Easy. The Vogue patterns sometimes have a few suprises but you'll probably do fine. Just pre-read ALL the instructions BEFORE you start and then re-read the instructions as carefully as you go along. You'll probably do just fine. Sometimes if you have read all the instructions first you have a better idea why you are doing something. The biggest problem you might encounter after just reading the instructions might be more in your choices of fabrics than anything else.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 02-01-2005, 06:03 PM (3 of 17)
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Here's another slant on reading the directions before you start. I never do. I was taught by my DM that you can get yourself so confussed trying to figure out what the directions are telling you, you become discouraged. I always read step by step as I am doing the project so that I have the fabric, or yarn or whatever the medium I'm working with in my hands.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-02-2005, 12:02 PM (4 of 17)
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Amy, I will add another opinion here, halfway between the others .. LOL.. I always read the instruction all the way through once, just to get an idea how the construction pattern is.. Then I only concetrate on the step by step as I go along, so I don't get ahead of myself.. I admire you for starting with a Vogue pattern.. I do not find them easy and I have been sewing over 55 years.. It amazes me that Butterick is so easy for me and Vogue so hard and they are made by the same company.. I understand the Butterick and McCalls instructions so much easier than the Vogue..It may be because I am a classic style person.. I do not go in for 'high fashion' so much.. I know what is flattering to me and I stick to that, regardless of what is 'in style' at the moment.. This is a great site. You will find help here any time you need it.. People are here everyday from all over the globe.. it is truly international.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: driver8amy
Date: 02-02-2005, 01:38 PM (5 of 17)
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Thanks for all of your opinions! I am generally an instructions-reader. It usually goes like this: I read the pattern, get freaked out, calm down, and take it one step at a time. I am a little confused about sizing. I am larger in the hips than in the bust, so I don't know which size to use for the pattern. I'm inclined to use the larger hip size -- I could always alter the top if it ends up being too big, right? Plus, who knows what size my bust will be by the end of this pregnancy!! I ordered the pattern, so we'll see how scary it is when it gets here. Thanks again, Amy |
User: driver8amy
Member since: 02-01-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-02-2005, 08:42 PM (6 of 17)
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My family wrote the book on no-busted pear shaped figures. Personally, I think that the shoulders and bust are the hardest part to alter. I always buy for that part of my body and make adjustments for the rest. I particularly like to buy a pattern that is three-sized where the size that matches my bust is the closest (when I get that opportunity.)
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sable
Date: 02-02-2005, 09:24 PM (7 of 17)
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I have to agree with Paroper, definitely buy for the bust, hips are easy to add or subtract from, bust is a pain in the *#$@! I know, I have to do an alteration for the bust point as I am low busted, but at least find if I buy the right size I don't have to fiddle with width. I am usually a size or 2 smaller in the bodice than the hip, I found that my bust size didn't change that much while pregnant the first time, and only a bit at the end the second time. Hip size was a bit different, it's still not right (lol). Btw, I don't find Vogue's instructions hard to follow at all. |
User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-03-2005, 06:59 AM (8 of 17)
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Sable -- I'm with you. I've never had a problem with Vogue instructions. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: driver8amy
Date: 02-03-2005, 10:09 AM (9 of 17)
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So, when you make the pattern based on the bust measurement, do you just leave a big seam allowance in the hip area? Or do you actually sew a smaller top and a bigger bottom the first time before altering? I've read you should use your prepregnancy measurements to determine size, but that wasn't an option for me, since I didn't measure myself beforehand. Based on the size I am now, I'm an 18 in the bust and 22 in the hip. I ordered the 18-20-22 pattern. Maybe I'll make the 18 then. I've found that the pear-shape is less of a problem during pregnancy. I finally don't have a big gap in the waist on my pants, and I fill out tops a little better! --Amy |
User: driver8amy
Member since: 02-01-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-03-2005, 10:21 AM (10 of 17)
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I make all initial alterations at cutting time. With the 3-size pattern it is a little easier (if your sizes are there). At any rate, I use pencil on the pattern paper and a chalk marker (a little easier for me) on the fabric itself. The chalk will almost always come out pretty quick if that is a concern. The marker I use is hard plastic, flat and like a triangle with a wheel at the bottom point that dispenses loose chalk. The design makes it easy to control and it isn't messy. It is refillable. I like the white chalk the best and almost always use it when it will show up on the fabric. Use your measurments, allow for ease, mark and cut out. This method of alteration keeps you from cutting your allowances too small and still gives you a nice seam allowance where you can make more alterations if needed.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 02-20-2005, 12:19 AM (11 of 17)
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I just wanted to comment on the dress! I think it is lovely!! I would love to see a photo of the one that you come up with. This dress now only is pretty but it would be dressy for those times while you are pregnant that you don't think you look so great! I'm sure you will do ao wonderful job! mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: Magot
Date: 02-20-2005, 09:06 AM (12 of 17)
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The pattern looks like it could skim the hips fairly well so I would stick to the 18 as well. When making a dress for my daughter ( who was an 8 in the bust and a 12 in the bum) I cut it out like that - carefully grading the sizes from the 8 to the 12 around the waist area - you may be able to do that if you feel the need but any maternity dress should have sufficient ease in it not to be a problem I would think. How nice to have something pretty when pregnant - I lived in grey elephants bum dungarees which wore pretty thin by the end.. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: driver8amy
Date: 02-21-2005, 12:17 PM (13 of 17)
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Well, it's not perfect, but I've pretty much finished the dress. I made the smaller size, but it was still too big by quite a bit. I ended up putting in some darts, and a seam down the middle of the bodice back. It isn't pretty on the inside, but it works. I ended up with the wrong side of the wrap on the outside because there was so much extra fabric, it hung better on the outside than it would have on the inside of the dress. I may end up taking off some of that extra wrap fabric so you can see the bow better, but I'm afraid I'll end up with a huge belly in a month and half, which is when I have to wear the dress (to my sister in law's wedding). So I would rather have it be a little big right now than too small in April. I also might take the hem up a little. It depends on how busy I am before April. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/driver8amy/amydress0205.jpg Thanks for all of your help! Amy |
User: driver8amy
Member since: 02-01-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-21-2005, 12:28 PM (14 of 17)
Ah, come on Amy. it looks fine - and who is going to be looking inside at your seams anyway? Nice colour and as you say - room for 'improvement'  When is the baby due?
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-21-2005, 12:42 PM (15 of 17)
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Amy, you did just fine. The dress looks great and you are glowing! When is the baby due? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: driver8amy
Date: 02-21-2005, 12:51 PM (16 of 17)
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The baby is due June 6, so I still need a few more months of belly room in that dress. I'm actually a bridesmaid in the April wedding, so I was happy to be able to make a dress inexpensively. (I saved about $100 compared to David's Bridal!) Luckily the bride doesn't have that much opinion on the dresses besides color. My husband thought I was crazy trying to make the dress when I've never made one before, but it came out OK! Amy |
User: driver8amy
Member since: 02-01-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-21-2005, 01:05 PM (17 of 17)
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It does look good and if it is a little big you will probably grow into it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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