Post by Mme de Beaufort on Jan 7, 2008 12:48:52 GMT -5
I promised I'd do a review of this pattern and here it is. I made it for my aunt for the ORS 2007 Winter Ball.
www.butterick.com/item/B6630.htm?tab=costumes&page=10
This pattern is not quite accurate. It completely lacks the gathering at the back of the skirt, and the bodice is very strange. The front panel is one long band with sleeve straps. It has little shaping except two darts, and no gathering or detail to allow any fullness of breast. I can't imagine anyone with a decent sized bust could fit it comfortably. My aunt was squashed in there so that it looked like a boob-sausage, and she's at most a B cup.
The pattern seems to be sized too small as well. I cut the pieces as a size 10, and finished with buttons, it is probably closer to a 6-8.
The back of the gown, because of the weird shaping, makes the wearer appear shapeless. There is little distinction between the bodice and the skirts, no real line that creates the waist, and hence it appears quite sack-like to some degree.
If you want to use this pattern, I recommend defining the waist better and adding a gather to the back fo the skirts. The sleeves are extremely large and puffy as well, they may need a little trimming down or some treatment to make them less costumey.
It's good for some purposes, but as an accurate historical gown, I do not think this pattern is very good. I would not make it for myself.
www.butterick.com/item/B6630.htm?tab=costumes&page=10
This pattern is not quite accurate. It completely lacks the gathering at the back of the skirt, and the bodice is very strange. The front panel is one long band with sleeve straps. It has little shaping except two darts, and no gathering or detail to allow any fullness of breast. I can't imagine anyone with a decent sized bust could fit it comfortably. My aunt was squashed in there so that it looked like a boob-sausage, and she's at most a B cup.
The pattern seems to be sized too small as well. I cut the pieces as a size 10, and finished with buttons, it is probably closer to a 6-8.
The back of the gown, because of the weird shaping, makes the wearer appear shapeless. There is little distinction between the bodice and the skirts, no real line that creates the waist, and hence it appears quite sack-like to some degree.
If you want to use this pattern, I recommend defining the waist better and adding a gather to the back fo the skirts. The sleeves are extremely large and puffy as well, they may need a little trimming down or some treatment to make them less costumey.
It's good for some purposes, but as an accurate historical gown, I do not think this pattern is very good. I would not make it for myself.
Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong? ~ Jane Austen 
