I made View A (it’s my “Courtly Love” gown and will be worn in Venice at Carnivale 2003). It’s not for the historical purist; it has bust darts, and sits off the shoulder. However, it is really pretty, and wasn’t that hard. It’s not for a total beginner, but it would probably be good as someone’s first “hard” project. The pattern pieces fit together well; the instructions are detailed and have lots of helpful information. The pattern includes a cutting good layout. All this helps a garment with a lot of pieces go together fairly easily. The skirt has a lot of fabric in it, and two layers of it at that, and it all gets gathered onto the bodice. My machine strained getting through all the layers. I’m not sure why the trimming didn’t match up the way it was supposed to (and was shown in the photograph on the pattern package). You’re supposed to get an effect of the trims crossing at the center front of the bodice. Something didn’t get measured right. The gown also ran a little it small which surprised me, because commercial patterns are usually huge on me. I was planning using back lacing instead of a zipper, so the fit adjustment wasn’t a big deal. This gown is advertised as a wedding dress (so it calls for a lot of trims) which gets expensive. If you’re considering making this gown, what for trim sales and stock up.
Rated 4 out of 5
Teddy –
These are the Ever After costumes. I made View A as a wedding dress for a friend. She chose cream and metallic gold brocade for the gown itself, dark blue-green silk dupioni for the underskirt and neckline infill and gold silk organza for the false chemise sleeves. The only problem I encountered was the V neckline gaped at either side above the breasts. I solved this problem by pinning darts running from the neckline above the bust down towards the armpit in the calico/muslin fitting try-out; then I left these pinned in place when I unpicked the calico to use as a pattern. The resulting pattern piece looked very distorted in the armholes when it was laid flat, but fit perfectly and smoothly when cut out and made up. The bridesmaid made up the View B bodice with the View C skirt and chemise sleeves which are the same for all three views, but in View C they isn’t an over-sleeve. She used the same green silk dupioni as the bride’s underskirt and more of the gold silk organza. The chemise sleeves had to be shortened and taken in a lot because they were too full when constricted by over-sleeves; they billowed out around her arms like balloons. I suspect this was partly due to the silk organza. A softer fabric with more drape, such as a sheer cotton, would be less puffy. Both dresses were extremely easy to make and quick to make up. Both looked lovely and were comfortable to wear an entire day (ceremony, reception, and celebrations afterwards).
Rated 4 out of 5
Katrina Blodgett –
This is the Ever After pattern and I used it to copy the dress for my Halloween costume (the wings are a whole other story). The end product was lovely and very recognizable from the movie. It was fairly easy to cut out and to sew, and the directions were readable. I am extremely small busted so I had serious fitting problems with the bodice. I ended up adding two huge darts in the back. As a result, the neckline — which is designed to be off-the-shoulder anyway — would not stay up. I had to add straps to hold it up (or flash the world). However, this is a problem with my body not with the pattern itself (although what woman with a 30 inch bust has a B-cup; which is what I understand the patterns are drawn to?). A problem with the pattern itself is the lower gauntlet (I don’t know if this is the proper term, maybe it’s the over-sleeve). I am fairly small, but, the gauntlet was too small to fit over my hands. I had to undo half the seam and put hooks and eyes the attach it. Even that was too tight, and I ended up leaving it open, which didn’t look very good. I would highly recommend measuring your forearm before cutting this pattern piece to ensure that it will fit comfortably, especially as much of the sleeve fabric will be bunched underneath it.
Frannie Germeshausen –
I made View A (it’s my “Courtly Love” gown and will be worn in Venice at Carnivale 2003). It’s not for the historical purist; it has bust darts, and sits off the shoulder. However, it is really pretty, and wasn’t that hard. It’s not for a total beginner, but it would probably be good as someone’s first “hard” project. The pattern pieces fit together well; the instructions are detailed and have lots of helpful information. The pattern includes a cutting good layout. All this helps a garment with a lot of pieces go together fairly easily. The skirt has a lot of fabric in it, and two layers of it at that, and it all gets gathered onto the bodice. My machine strained getting through all the layers. I’m not sure why the trimming didn’t match up the way it was supposed to (and was shown in the photograph on the pattern package). You’re supposed to get an effect of the trims crossing at the center front of the bodice. Something didn’t get measured right. The gown also ran a little it small which surprised me, because commercial patterns are usually huge on me. I was planning using back lacing instead of a zipper, so the fit adjustment wasn’t a big deal. This gown is advertised as a wedding dress (so it calls for a lot of trims) which gets expensive. If you’re considering making this gown, what for trim sales and stock up.
Teddy –
These are the Ever After costumes. I made View A as a wedding dress for a friend. She chose cream and metallic gold brocade for the gown itself, dark blue-green silk dupioni for the underskirt and neckline infill and gold silk organza for the false chemise sleeves. The only problem I encountered was the V neckline gaped at either side above the breasts. I solved this problem by pinning darts running from the neckline above the bust down towards the armpit in the calico/muslin fitting try-out; then I left these pinned in place when I unpicked the calico to use as a pattern. The resulting pattern piece looked very distorted in the armholes when it was laid flat, but fit perfectly and smoothly when cut out and made up. The bridesmaid made up the View B bodice with the View C skirt and chemise sleeves which are the same for all three views, but in View C they isn’t an over-sleeve. She used the same green silk dupioni as the bride’s underskirt and more of the gold silk organza. The chemise sleeves had to be shortened and taken in a lot because they were too full when constricted by over-sleeves; they billowed out around her arms like balloons. I suspect this was partly due to the silk organza. A softer fabric with more drape, such as a sheer cotton, would be less puffy. Both dresses were extremely easy to make and quick to make up. Both looked lovely and were comfortable to wear an entire day (ceremony, reception, and celebrations afterwards).
Katrina Blodgett –
This is the Ever After pattern and I used it to copy the dress for my Halloween costume (the wings are a whole other story). The end product was lovely and very recognizable from the movie. It was fairly easy to cut out and to sew, and the directions were readable. I am extremely small busted so I had serious fitting problems with the bodice. I ended up adding two huge darts in the back. As a result, the neckline — which is designed to be off-the-shoulder anyway — would not stay up. I had to add straps to hold it up (or flash the world). However, this is a problem with my body not with the pattern itself (although what woman with a 30 inch bust has a B-cup; which is what I understand the patterns are drawn to?). A problem with the pattern itself is the lower gauntlet (I don’t know if this is the proper term, maybe it’s the over-sleeve). I am fairly small, but, the gauntlet was too small to fit over my hands. I had to undo half the seam and put hooks and eyes the attach it. Even that was too tight, and I ended up leaving it open, which didn’t look very good. I would highly recommend measuring your forearm before cutting this pattern piece to ensure that it will fit comfortably, especially as much of the sleeve fabric will be bunched underneath it.