1 review for Sense & Sensibility Girl’s 1914 Dress Pattern
Rated 5 out of 5
Elisabeth Doornink –
I first used this gown to make two Amish dresses for a commission. They went together very quickly – I was finished one a day, with some time to spare, and the pattern was very easy to use. Instead of a waist band, I pleated the bodice, stitched the pleats down, and then sewed the skirt onto that – it both saved time and made for a more accurate, Amish-like construction. As well, I used the bodice pattern as a base for the a-line aprons. I also used the pattern to create a copy of a dress worn by Lucy in the Chronicles of Narnia. I lengthened the puffed sleeves an inch, and took out the bodice front gathering, adding an insert edged with piping. I also made the skirt narrower and longer, as my sister has long legs, is rather thin, and Lucy’s skirt was narrower, after all.
I’ve used this pattern to make a smaller gown, size 1. Either by an error in the pattern or my tracing of it, the long sleeve was too small to fit in the armsyce, so I had to cut puffed sleeves, and then add longer sleeves on the bottom of that.
Overall, this has been a wonderful pattern to use, and I’d highly recommend it. The heirloom techniques are nicely demonstrated, and I’ve found it a versatile pattern.
Elisabeth Doornink –
I first used this gown to make two Amish dresses for a commission. They went together very quickly – I was finished one a day, with some time to spare, and the pattern was very easy to use. Instead of a waist band, I pleated the bodice, stitched the pleats down, and then sewed the skirt onto that – it both saved time and made for a more accurate, Amish-like construction. As well, I used the bodice pattern as a base for the a-line aprons. I also used the pattern to create a copy of a dress worn by Lucy in the Chronicles of Narnia. I lengthened the puffed sleeves an inch, and took out the bodice front gathering, adding an insert edged with piping. I also made the skirt narrower and longer, as my sister has long legs, is rather thin, and Lucy’s skirt was narrower, after all.
I’ve used this pattern to make a smaller gown, size 1. Either by an error in the pattern or my tracing of it, the long sleeve was too small to fit in the armsyce, so I had to cut puffed sleeves, and then add longer sleeves on the bottom of that.
Overall, this has been a wonderful pattern to use, and I’d highly recommend it. The heirloom techniques are nicely demonstrated, and I’ve found it a versatile pattern.