I agree with other reviewers that this pattern is fussy with too many pieces but, the details make sense. I was surprised at how important the bodice front gathers at the waist are in holding the fullness in the front bodice. I had to use a different skirt, neckline and sleeve variation as everyone in town was using the same pattern. There is a low cut lining that could cause fitting problems. It does bind a trifle in the shoulder but, I am so charmed with the overall dress that it is worth all the suffering.
Rated 3 out of 5
Amy Denison –
There is a lot of gathering to be done, along with yards of ruffles to narrow and attach by hand. I had very few problems understanding the instructions. I did make a few modifications. Instead of using different types of lace on the under-bodice neckline, I simply used a 2″ wide piece of flat eyelet; stitched it on with a 1/2″ seam allowance and used the seam allowance to create a casing for the drawstring. It looked quite pretty and saved me a bit of time and a little money. I had trouble trying to sew a fine cord into the ruffles for gathering so I ran gathering stitches by hand and gathering the ruffles up by hand. The stitching is covered by the ruffles and is hardly noticeable. I also made the skirt out of rectangle shapes of fabric instead of using the skirt pattern pieces (it saved fabric). It took me a total of five days to make this dress. I can usually make an 1850s dress in two days. If I use this pattern again, it will be for a special occassion and then, only if I have plenty of time beforehand to make it.
Lisa Prindle –
I agree with other reviewers that this pattern is fussy with too many pieces but, the details make sense. I was surprised at how important the bodice front gathers at the waist are in holding the fullness in the front bodice. I had to use a different skirt, neckline and sleeve variation as everyone in town was using the same pattern. There is a low cut lining that could cause fitting problems. It does bind a trifle in the shoulder but, I am so charmed with the overall dress that it is worth all the suffering.
Amy Denison –
There is a lot of gathering to be done, along with yards of ruffles to narrow and attach by hand. I had very few problems understanding the instructions. I did make a few modifications. Instead of using different types of lace on the under-bodice neckline, I simply used a 2″ wide piece of flat eyelet; stitched it on with a 1/2″ seam allowance and used the seam allowance to create a casing for the drawstring. It looked quite pretty and saved me a bit of time and a little money. I had trouble trying to sew a fine cord into the ruffles for gathering so I ran gathering stitches by hand and gathering the ruffles up by hand. The stitching is covered by the ruffles and is hardly noticeable. I also made the skirt out of rectangle shapes of fabric instead of using the skirt pattern pieces (it saved fabric). It took me a total of five days to make this dress. I can usually make an 1850s dress in two days. If I use this pattern again, it will be for a special occassion and then, only if I have plenty of time beforehand to make it.