I was very pleased with the way this dress turned out. I would definitely recommend it for beginners. I will also be making the coat that goes with this dress.
Rated 5 out of 5
Lorraine Carson –
I, of course, cannot follow a pattern to save my life because I get inspired to do other stuff with it while sewing. But, this dress was made pretty closely to the pattern. The dress moves beautifully when you’re dancing or just walking. I used the skirt and overskirt pieces exactly. The only change I made to the sleeves was to slash them to create the peek-a-boo effect. The bodice piece with this pattern was not used. It was appallingly small on me. Instead I cut the bodice from a Truly Victorian pattern piece. I cut this dress out of an embroidered silk sari. My advice to those planning to do the same: do so only if you are very patient and don’t get frustrated by the necessity for careful alignment of pieces (matching the fabric pattern) and the need to do a lot of piecing when the fabric isn’t wide enough. On the plus side, you get embroidered silk at a good price and a wonderful dress.
Rated 4 out of 5
Kate Knowles –
I’m used to sewing Renaissance costumes. This was my first Regency. A friend helped me fit the bodice. I didn’t understand how the bodice was supposed to close so my fastening is sort of “half-Renaissance” lacing.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mae Andrews –
This is a wonderful pattern. The instructions are fairly simple and the dress comes out looking lovely. The only thing that I changed on the pattern was the closure on the back. The pattern calls for eyelets and hooks and eyes. Feeling a little unsure about that look, I changed it to have 34 shank buttons and ribbon loops all the way down the back. I think it looks marvelous and it has gotten numerous compliments from my family so far. The measurements for the bust, waist and hips were fairly accurate, though for me it didn’t work well in the bust. Since starting the dress, I have lost weight and need to finish one of my corsets to help hold things in place. Otherwise, I recommend this pattern highly to anyone who likes Regency and wants a nice pattern.
Rated 3 out of 5
Leigh Ann Hildebrand –
Not recommended for large busts. Even adding inches to the top edge, I couldn’t make this in a way that would contain my assets. I eventually gave up and salvaged the sleeves and skirt to attach to a La Mode Bagatelle Regency bodice. I think the sleeves are too large to be very Regency looking, in the largest size.
Rated 3 out of 5
Jessica Johnson –
There’s no fullness to the skirt back and the sleeves are improbably gigantic (and require sleeve stays to prevent the outer sleeves from collapsing). The main problem I had was with the bodice. Not only is it really, really low cut, if you have breast at all they are going to runneth over. This pattern doesn’t seem to be designed for anything over a B cup. The bodice front is also shaped with darts which may or not not be look you desire. Unless you don’t mind completely redrafting the bodice, sleeves and skirt back, I see no reason to use this pattern.
Rated 4 out of 5
Trystan Bass –
I only used the pelisse coat. The sleeves are huge, but I wanted that effect, so I interlined them to make them really stand out. I used a stiff organdy for the standing collar & added tons of trim. Worked great for a gothic Bridgerton style day outfit. Recommended.
Pat Shaw –
I was very pleased with the way this dress turned out. I would definitely recommend it for beginners. I will also be making the coat that goes with this dress.
Lorraine Carson –
I, of course, cannot follow a pattern to save my life because I get inspired to do other stuff with it while sewing. But, this dress was made pretty closely to the pattern. The dress moves beautifully when you’re dancing or just walking. I used the skirt and overskirt pieces exactly. The only change I made to the sleeves was to slash them to create the peek-a-boo effect. The bodice piece with this pattern was not used. It was appallingly small on me. Instead I cut the bodice from a Truly Victorian pattern piece. I cut this dress out of an embroidered silk sari. My advice to those planning to do the same: do so only if you are very patient and don’t get frustrated by the necessity for careful alignment of pieces (matching the fabric pattern) and the need to do a lot of piecing when the fabric isn’t wide enough. On the plus side, you get embroidered silk at a good price and a wonderful dress.
Kate Knowles –
I’m used to sewing Renaissance costumes. This was my first Regency. A friend helped me fit the bodice. I didn’t understand how the bodice was supposed to close so my fastening is sort of “half-Renaissance” lacing.
Mae Andrews –
This is a wonderful pattern. The instructions are fairly simple and the dress comes out looking lovely. The only thing that I changed on the pattern was the closure on the back. The pattern calls for eyelets and hooks and eyes. Feeling a little unsure about that look, I changed it to have 34 shank buttons and ribbon loops all the way down the back. I think it looks marvelous and it has gotten numerous compliments from my family so far. The measurements for the bust, waist and hips were fairly accurate, though for me it didn’t work well in the bust. Since starting the dress, I have lost weight and need to finish one of my corsets to help hold things in place. Otherwise, I recommend this pattern highly to anyone who likes Regency and wants a nice pattern.
Leigh Ann Hildebrand –
Not recommended for large busts. Even adding inches to the top edge, I couldn’t make this in a way that would contain my assets. I eventually gave up and salvaged the sleeves and skirt to attach to a La Mode Bagatelle Regency bodice. I think the sleeves are too large to be very Regency looking, in the largest size.
Jessica Johnson –
There’s no fullness to the skirt back and the sleeves are improbably gigantic (and require sleeve stays to prevent the outer sleeves from collapsing). The main problem I had was with the bodice. Not only is it really, really low cut, if you have breast at all they are going to runneth over. This pattern doesn’t seem to be designed for anything over a B cup. The bodice front is also shaped with darts which may or not not be look you desire. Unless you don’t mind completely redrafting the bodice, sleeves and skirt back, I see no reason to use this pattern.
Trystan Bass –
I only used the pelisse coat. The sleeves are huge, but I wanted that effect, so I interlined them to make them really stand out. I used a stiff organdy for the standing collar & added tons of trim. Worked great for a gothic Bridgerton style day outfit. Recommended.