I've been foiled again. Last year, I made my daughters Mary's Fancy Sash dresses from Girl's World by Jennifer Paganelli. They were adorable dresses but both were too large. In particular, they seemed made for a person with broader shoulders. I had measured both girls and made the appropriate sizes but really felt that they ran big. You can read about those dresses here. I thought that the trouble with the shoulders gaping on those dresses might have been due to the pull on nature of the dresses. So I thought I would try again with the Josie dress. It has a more fitted bodice with a zipper in the back.
The pattern really has lovely details. The waist band is curved and the bodice is beautifully gathered. There are nice long sashes on the waist band to tie in a bow on the back. I used fabric from Jennifer Paganelli's Dance With Me line. This time, I was extra careful double checking my measurements and shortened the straps by an inch. However, I was foiled once again! The dress is too big. The bodice is cut with a slight angle, which I find a little bit odd for a child and it gapes. And the width across the chest from strap to strap is too big.
The good news is that I took out the Mary's Sash Dress from last year and although it is still a little bit wide at the shoulders, it is definitely wearable this year. So, my daughter will wear that dress and I will put this one away till next year! I will hem it when it fits properly.
My experience with many patterns is frustrating! I have learned to measure the pattern pieces to determine finished garment size before selecting the size. I often make a size smaller than what is reccomended. I wush pattern companies would adjust the ease the put into garments, and maybe try to aline theur sizes with ready yo wear.
ReplyDeleteThat is really too bad. I have found that with some patterns (especially from books....?) My favourite patterns are Burda because they fit my kids well. I also have the Oliver and S book and it's great and I've heard that her patterns are very well sized too.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that you have to measure the pattern pieces to see how big a garment is going to be! I agree Burda is consistent fit.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty but I agree, frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI bought a pattern for a first birthday dress for my daughter and this is the exact reason I'm going to do a version in her current size. I hope to be able to gauge what the sizes are actually like and any alterations that may need to be done.
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating but it she'll look beautiful when she eventually gets to wear it: )
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer. Look at it this way, you're just way ahead of the game making things for next year. ::wink wink:: Looks great though.
ReplyDeleteDang! That's a lot of work for a dress that doesn't fit right! It's so pretty.
ReplyDeleteDang, I'm not a happy camper when a pattern doesn't work! That is totally adorable in that fabric and it will not go out of style if she has to wait.
ReplyDeleteI have had that also. and it is a bumberespecially with the prices of fabrics these days. it is beautiful also.
ReplyDeleteI always have trouble with standard patterns for my daughter, too...she is narrow at the shoulders and has one shoulder slightly lower than the other...it definitely requires some finagling!
ReplyDeleteI always have trouble with standard patterns for my daughter, too...she is narrow through the shoulder and has one that is slightly lower than the other...it definitely requires some finagling!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I'm hesitant to make clothes and dresses...I hate putting all that time into it and then not having it fit properly.
ReplyDeleteBummer!!!! Hopefully it will fit next year. Beautiful fabric though!
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*this* is why i don't attempt clothes for myself anymore. although, that has been my resolution for nearly 18 years now after a jumpsuit debacle when i was still in high school. someday i'll be brave and break that resolution.
ReplyDeleteOh man, well, at least it's too big rather than too small, and they can be grown into!
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