I only made the bodice of the dress. It went together very easily and has options for low or high neckline, plus laces or hooks up the front. The only problem I found was that the armholes gaped somewhat, but I was making it in a hurry. This outfit would make a good Renaissance Faire peasant costume for beginners.
Rated 4 out of 5
Elisabeth Doornink –
I made this dress up as my dress for my Norwegian dance group, in a dark green wool. I found the pattern very easy to make up, though I did have some problems with the length of the bodice. I’d really recommend reading through the directions at least twice, if not more, and making a muslin. The directions can be confusing, as they uses an interesting combination of flat and bag lining. The fit was good, but as I am still growing, I tried to keep it loose and a bit lower waisted, so I wouldn’t out grow it in a year.
Besides that, I added a bit different closure. Instead of a center front seam and placket, I make a waistband, similar to a drop front gown, dog leg closure, or the round gowns of the early 18th century. I have a 10″ waistband on the front, and the pleats transfer from the bodice to it, with a hidden slit in the inside of the pleat. It then has a hook and bar on either side to attach it to the bodice, as well as two hook and eyes at center front. Then, I use two straight pins, as they hold it very well. That way I don’t have any embarrassing incidents of my apron falling off during a dance and being improper because there is only a slit there!
I made my own apron, (not pictured) finding that theirs are much too skimpy, and on the short side. I haven’t made my own blouse yet, but am wearing one from that pattern. The pattern looks good, and they are comfortable. However, I’d recommend adding another hook and eye further down on the neck slit to prevent gap-iosis. Over all, I’d recommend it! Our whole group has bunads (Norwegian folk costumes) out of this pattern, and we all really enjoy them.
Trystan L. Bass –
I only made the bodice of the dress. It went together very easily and has options for low or high neckline, plus laces or hooks up the front. The only problem I found was that the armholes gaped somewhat, but I was making it in a hurry. This outfit would make a good Renaissance Faire peasant costume for beginners.
Elisabeth Doornink –
I made this dress up as my dress for my Norwegian dance group, in a dark green wool. I found the pattern very easy to make up, though I did have some problems with the length of the bodice. I’d really recommend reading through the directions at least twice, if not more, and making a muslin. The directions can be confusing, as they uses an interesting combination of flat and bag lining. The fit was good, but as I am still growing, I tried to keep it loose and a bit lower waisted, so I wouldn’t out grow it in a year.
Besides that, I added a bit different closure. Instead of a center front seam and placket, I make a waistband, similar to a drop front gown, dog leg closure, or the round gowns of the early 18th century. I have a 10″ waistband on the front, and the pleats transfer from the bodice to it, with a hidden slit in the inside of the pleat. It then has a hook and bar on either side to attach it to the bodice, as well as two hook and eyes at center front. Then, I use two straight pins, as they hold it very well. That way I don’t have any embarrassing incidents of my apron falling off during a dance and being improper because there is only a slit there!
I made my own apron, (not pictured) finding that theirs are much too skimpy, and on the short side. I haven’t made my own blouse yet, but am wearing one from that pattern. The pattern looks good, and they are comfortable. However, I’d recommend adding another hook and eye further down on the neck slit to prevent gap-iosis. Over all, I’d recommend it! Our whole group has bunads (Norwegian folk costumes) out of this pattern, and we all really enjoy them.