I chose this pattern (16-20 size version) in order to teach a friend how to sew- the attempt was to make the “peasant” version, minus the apron and cap (I figured the cap might be difficult and the apron just looked silly). It was nothing but an absolute horror to work with, even for myself. First, the skirt is zippered in the back; we decided to replace that with a large, skirt (flat) hook and eye set. The skirt requires a simply dreadful amount of fabric for the way it is supposed to be gathered, an amount that’s more akin to a noblewoman’s gown than anything else. Instead of being gored, the skirt pieces are simply huge, almost-rectangles that add to the extreme bulk in the skirt’s waistband (which is a fold-over waistband not unlike a modern pair of pants). This led to a skirt that, while appropriately a “full-circle” at the hem, is very bulky at the top. I prefer cartridge-pleating to this method. The shirt went together well enough, but we made the sleeves with a different pattern and didn’t ruffle the neckline. The bodice was an absolute disaster. We ended up tossing it one day before faire and made a waist-cincher type garment instead.
The problems with the bodice are as follows. The length of the bodice is far too short, even though my friend is not an overly tall person (and the skirt was clearly made for someone who is about 5’6″, which she is). The princess seams are not at all period and are very bulky. The bodice is too tight on her even though we measured carefully; it fits my mother perfectly, who is a few sizes smaller. The bodice as shown on the pattern cover is actually too loose. Also, the bodice pattern does not follow what I consider the Basic Bodice Rule: flat-line. We flat-lined the bodice. Without flat-lining, you would have a rather wrinkled garment that stretches overmuch. The pattern also calls for what seem to be loops to lace the garment, rather than the more popular (and sturdier) grommets, eyelets, or thread-eyelets. An attempt to use grommets in this particular bodice was disastrous, as it made the bodice even smaller!
Christine Gorman –
I chose this pattern (16-20 size version) in order to teach a friend how to sew- the attempt was to make the “peasant” version, minus the apron and cap (I figured the cap might be difficult and the apron just looked silly). It was nothing but an absolute horror to work with, even for myself. First, the skirt is zippered in the back; we decided to replace that with a large, skirt (flat) hook and eye set. The skirt requires a simply dreadful amount of fabric for the way it is supposed to be gathered, an amount that’s more akin to a noblewoman’s gown than anything else. Instead of being gored, the skirt pieces are simply huge, almost-rectangles that add to the extreme bulk in the skirt’s waistband (which is a fold-over waistband not unlike a modern pair of pants). This led to a skirt that, while appropriately a “full-circle” at the hem, is very bulky at the top. I prefer cartridge-pleating to this method. The shirt went together well enough, but we made the sleeves with a different pattern and didn’t ruffle the neckline. The bodice was an absolute disaster. We ended up tossing it one day before faire and made a waist-cincher type garment instead.
The problems with the bodice are as follows. The length of the bodice is far too short, even though my friend is not an overly tall person (and the skirt was clearly made for someone who is about 5’6″, which she is). The princess seams are not at all period and are very bulky. The bodice is too tight on her even though we measured carefully; it fits my mother perfectly, who is a few sizes smaller. The bodice as shown on the pattern cover is actually too loose. Also, the bodice pattern does not follow what I consider the Basic Bodice Rule: flat-line. We flat-lined the bodice. Without flat-lining, you would have a rather wrinkled garment that stretches overmuch. The pattern also calls for what seem to be loops to lace the garment, rather than the more popular (and sturdier) grommets, eyelets, or thread-eyelets. An attempt to use grommets in this particular bodice was disastrous, as it made the bodice even smaller!