The pattern in this envelope does not make a reproduction of the garment pictured on the front, a photo of an original corded petticoat. While this is not unusual in commercial patterns, the pattern package (and the website selling this pattern) states: “This corded petticoat pattern has been taken from an original in the designer’s collection.” The pattern and instructions create a petticoat with a hem circumference of 144 to 180 inches – far too wide for the cords to maintain the necessary hooped shape. The cords will fold in on themselves, despite all starching attempts, creating very deep valleys, which will drag your upper petticoats and skirts with them. The petticoat in the photograph is no where near that big around. The pattern also calls for half as much cording as is shown in the photo of the original garment (I can count 17 rows in the photo, there are 8 drawn on the pattern), making this reproduction garment far less stiff than the original it is based on. My finished petticoat, cut from the 4 panels recommended in the instructions (144 inches around), was far too wide to hold its shape, and created very unpleasant valleys in the front of my skirt (please see attached photo for an example of this). The person who drew this pattern has clearly never studied an original and does not understand the physics of putting one together. There were numerous errors and typos in the instructions as well, leading me to believe that the owner of Victoria Louise never proof-read this pattern nor road-tested it to ensure that it would accurately replicate the original garment it was supposedly based on. Since making this pattern, I have done more research and discovered several internet sites offering free corded petticoat instructions. A quick search will yield abundant and free information.
Barbara –
The pattern in this envelope does not make a reproduction of the garment pictured on the front, a photo of an original corded petticoat. While this is not unusual in commercial patterns, the pattern package (and the website selling this pattern) states: “This corded petticoat pattern has been taken from an original in the designer’s collection.” The pattern and instructions create a petticoat with a hem circumference of 144 to 180 inches – far too wide for the cords to maintain the necessary hooped shape. The cords will fold in on themselves, despite all starching attempts, creating very deep valleys, which will drag your upper petticoats and skirts with them. The petticoat in the photograph is no where near that big around. The pattern also calls for half as much cording as is shown in the photo of the original garment (I can count 17 rows in the photo, there are 8 drawn on the pattern), making this reproduction garment far less stiff than the original it is based on. My finished petticoat, cut from the 4 panels recommended in the instructions (144 inches around), was far too wide to hold its shape, and created very unpleasant valleys in the front of my skirt (please see attached photo for an example of this). The person who drew this pattern has clearly never studied an original and does not understand the physics of putting one together. There were numerous errors and typos in the instructions as well, leading me to believe that the owner of Victoria Louise never proof-read this pattern nor road-tested it to ensure that it would accurately replicate the original garment it was supposedly based on. Since making this pattern, I have done more research and discovered several internet sites offering free corded petticoat instructions. A quick search will yield abundant and free information.