This is my favorite pattern. It’s easy. It fits. It looks good on everyone. Use it. Both attached images feature this bodice.
On the green gown, I created my own sleeves with some border edged fabric I found at Gunne Sax outlet. It’s so easy to add any kind of sleeve you want to this bodice, especially if you bind the sleeve armholes. In this case I finished them with corded edging so you could leave sleeves off and it would look great. I also used the bordered fabric to create a bertha neckline. Finished it off with some hand-made silk ribbon roses, buds and leaves. For the skirt I usually just cut 6-8 panels of 36-45″ fabric the length of the skirt I want and then cartridge pleat it into a waistband. Again, I used the wonderful border edged fabric to create rows of skirt flouncing.
Rated 4 out of 5
Autumn Carey-Adamme –
A great pattern. I this pattern for the bodice of a ball gown. Trystan L. Bass is wearing a ball gown made by Autumn in the photo.
Rated 5 out of 5
Danine Cozzens –
The assembly instructions conform to the 19th c. and that is very different from modern patterns. Go slowly. Read carefully.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kendra Van Cleave –
Another high quality pattern by Past Patterns. The pattern pieces were printed on heavy paper and clearly marked. The construction was relatively easy, although I did have some problems applying the piping to the waist edge.
Rated 4 out of 5
Sheri Jurnecka –
I’ve used this pattern many times. I give it a rave review.
Rated 5 out of 5
Rachel Franklin –
I cannot say enough about this pattern! I LOVE it! The fit is perfect, no matter what the body type; the directions are clear; the pieces fit together wonderfully. Definitely one of the best I’ve seen. In the attached image, Rachel’s bodice is modeled by friend Meg.
Rated 5 out of 5
Annette Stubbs –
The pieces fit together well and they are easy to tailor. I have used View B the most often; I love the sleeves. They may appear tricky at first but, do eventually make sense. I have not tried View A, but have the fabric waiting for it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Margaret DeLap –
Good instructions and easy to fit.
Rated 4 out of 5
Kathleen Songal –
I just finished this bodice and it turned out splendidly. Of course, I had to make some usual alterations but, there’s always a bit of adjustment.
Rated 5 out of 5
Janet Canning –
Make a muslin first if you are a beginner. You want the bodice to rest on your shoulders. Use seam tape so the fabric and stitches don’t stretch. Use a good stiff lining fabric.
Rated 4 out of 5
mimi –
I made many MANY mock-ups before making my finished bodice because I couldn’t get the fit right. that said, I did also change the lines of the bodice slightly, to make it end immediately at the waist and subsequently had to narrow the center panel, but even with that considered it took me a ridiculously long time, because the pattern includes extra allowance at the sides to let out to perfect the fit, which I’m sure could be helpful sometimes, but this time ended up being a nuisance because the pattern was too large in the bust for me anyway.
once I figured all this out though, it was an easy enough pattern and came together really quickly. it looks adorable, especially with the double puffed sleeves (which look beautiful in taffeta with a chiffon overlay, really the whole bodice looks stellar in taffeta)
now that I have my altered version (as well as the originals, which I will keep in case I make one for a friend one day) I could make it again in a fraction of the time.
Jana Keeler –
This is my favorite pattern. It’s easy. It fits. It looks good on everyone. Use it. Both attached images feature this bodice.
On the green gown, I created my own sleeves with some border edged fabric I found at Gunne Sax outlet. It’s so easy to add any kind of sleeve you want to this bodice, especially if you bind the sleeve armholes. In this case I finished them with corded edging so you could leave sleeves off and it would look great. I also used the bordered fabric to create a bertha neckline. Finished it off with some hand-made silk ribbon roses, buds and leaves. For the skirt I usually just cut 6-8 panels of 36-45″ fabric the length of the skirt I want and then cartridge pleat it into a waistband. Again, I used the wonderful border edged fabric to create rows of skirt flouncing.
Autumn Carey-Adamme –
A great pattern. I this pattern for the bodice of a ball gown. Trystan L. Bass is wearing a ball gown made by Autumn in the photo.
Danine Cozzens –
The assembly instructions conform to the 19th c. and that is very different from modern patterns. Go slowly. Read carefully.
Kendra Van Cleave –
Another high quality pattern by Past Patterns. The pattern pieces were printed on heavy paper and clearly marked. The construction was relatively easy, although I did have some problems applying the piping to the waist edge.
Sheri Jurnecka –
I’ve used this pattern many times. I give it a rave review.
Rachel Franklin –
I cannot say enough about this pattern! I LOVE it! The fit is perfect, no matter what the body type; the directions are clear; the pieces fit together wonderfully. Definitely one of the best I’ve seen. In the attached image, Rachel’s bodice is modeled by friend Meg.
Annette Stubbs –
The pieces fit together well and they are easy to tailor. I have used View B the most often; I love the sleeves. They may appear tricky at first but, do eventually make sense. I have not tried View A, but have the fabric waiting for it.
Margaret DeLap –
Good instructions and easy to fit.
Kathleen Songal –
I just finished this bodice and it turned out splendidly. Of course, I had to make some usual alterations but, there’s always a bit of adjustment.
Janet Canning –
Make a muslin first if you are a beginner. You want the bodice to rest on your shoulders. Use seam tape so the fabric and stitches don’t stretch. Use a good stiff lining fabric.
mimi –
I made many MANY mock-ups before making my finished bodice because I couldn’t get the fit right. that said, I did also change the lines of the bodice slightly, to make it end immediately at the waist and subsequently had to narrow the center panel, but even with that considered it took me a ridiculously long time, because the pattern includes extra allowance at the sides to let out to perfect the fit, which I’m sure could be helpful sometimes, but this time ended up being a nuisance because the pattern was too large in the bust for me anyway.
once I figured all this out though, it was an easy enough pattern and came together really quickly. it looks adorable, especially with the double puffed sleeves (which look beautiful in taffeta with a chiffon overlay, really the whole bodice looks stellar in taffeta)
now that I have my altered version (as well as the originals, which I will keep in case I make one for a friend one day) I could make it again in a fraction of the time.