I didn’t expect to have any problems with this pattern, as I have made many complicated gowns from Past Patterns previously. The bodice on this pattern is TOO LONG. Since it has an attached waistband, you need to make it much shorter so the waistband fits at your waist. Good luck. The loose pleats or gathers (your choice) make it difficult to make shorter once it is cut out – be sure to make a muslin. The trick is to fit the waistband to fit your waist FIRST, then mark the placement of the waistband on the bodice while you are wearing it. Make the bodice fit the waistband. The photo of the bodice has a waistband wider than that of the pattern, as I ended up cutting the bodice too short (during 3 different frustrating fittings!). It still looks good, despite all the grief.
Rated 4 out of 5
Annette Stubbs –
I have found the pattern pieces easy to work with and have used this pattern often in various types of fabric. It sewed up quickly.
Rated 4 out of 5
Amy Denisen –
The bodice of this pattern is too long for most people, but there is a very easy fix. Use the same method that the Past Patterns Garibaldi pattern recommends: after cutting out the front and back bodice pieces in an inexpensive fabric (which can later be used for the lining) and sewing them together, pin the front and back pleats into place. Put the bodice on and tie a piece of thin elastic around your waist. Raise your arms up and have an assistant push the elastic down to your natural waistline. Tug at the bottom edge of the bodice, making sure the bodice is smooth and doesn’t “puff” out. Use chalk or a washable pen to mark the waistline right at the top of the elastic, all the way around. You can then transfer the pleating marks onto the new bottom edge and use the muslin pieces to cut out your new bodice. You can even try drawing this new line onto your own pattern pieces in pencil and save for the next time you use this pattern. Other than that, the bodice was very easy to assemble, is flattering, and I received many compliments on the finished item.
Lisa Dyrke –
I didn’t expect to have any problems with this pattern, as I have made many complicated gowns from Past Patterns previously. The bodice on this pattern is TOO LONG. Since it has an attached waistband, you need to make it much shorter so the waistband fits at your waist. Good luck. The loose pleats or gathers (your choice) make it difficult to make shorter once it is cut out – be sure to make a muslin. The trick is to fit the waistband to fit your waist FIRST, then mark the placement of the waistband on the bodice while you are wearing it. Make the bodice fit the waistband. The photo of the bodice has a waistband wider than that of the pattern, as I ended up cutting the bodice too short (during 3 different frustrating fittings!). It still looks good, despite all the grief.
Annette Stubbs –
I have found the pattern pieces easy to work with and have used this pattern often in various types of fabric. It sewed up quickly.
Amy Denisen –
The bodice of this pattern is too long for most people, but there is a very easy fix. Use the same method that the Past Patterns Garibaldi pattern recommends: after cutting out the front and back bodice pieces in an inexpensive fabric (which can later be used for the lining) and sewing them together, pin the front and back pleats into place. Put the bodice on and tie a piece of thin elastic around your waist. Raise your arms up and have an assistant push the elastic down to your natural waistline. Tug at the bottom edge of the bodice, making sure the bodice is smooth and doesn’t “puff” out. Use chalk or a washable pen to mark the waistline right at the top of the elastic, all the way around. You can then transfer the pleating marks onto the new bottom edge and use the muslin pieces to cut out your new bodice. You can even try drawing this new line onto your own pattern pieces in pencil and save for the next time you use this pattern. Other than that, the bodice was very easy to assemble, is flattering, and I received many compliments on the finished item.