Zee Braffe

Three weeks ago at my local JoAnn's, I was persuaded to purchase this pattern after seeing the nice dresses reviewed on PR. 

Pattern Description:

Misses' Dress: Close-fitting dresses A, B, C have wrap fronts, front tucks, front and back pleats, self-ties, A-line skirt and sleeve variations. View A has the short flounce sleeves. View B has the three-quarter length sleeves. View C has the long flared sleeves and border print.

Sizing:  Misses' 8-10-12-14. I sewed a "12" at the shoulders, armscyes, and a "14" at the bodice and skirt fronts and back.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, I did not experience any problems. I thought the illustrations spoke for themselves.

Fabric Used:

From my local Yardage Town during a local sewing meetup, a slinky type knit. Because it is slightly slippery, it can be tricky to sew with.

Here's my zebra-giraffe printed dress, about 1.5% the price of a Madagascar wrap dress ($1,295) by Cavalli.
Favorite Features

* This is a nice alternative to the DVF wrap dress and the popular Vogue 8379 wrap dress pattern.

* Flounced sleeves

* Fairly easy to sew


Not So Favorite Features

However, coupled with slinky type knit or possibly a ITY knit and the bodice being cut on the bias, I encountered a low and unstable neckline after topstitching. Fortunately I had some 1/4" wide elastic that I stretched and stitched onto the upper edge of the neckline from the inside. Then I turned the neckline inwards, encasing the elastic and topstitched using a straight straight stitch. Result: no floppy neckline!

Even the neckline of Cavalli's "Madagscar" is low and somewhat floppy!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
* I cut the front left and right bodices separately to match the necklines as much as possible.

*I sewed the sleeves (flat) onto the armscyes before sewing the sleeve seams and side seams of the bodice.

*Added elastic to the neckline to eliminate the dreaded gaposis.

*Shortened the skirt length 2 1/2".

* My usual upper back adjustment (shorten 3/4") to remove excess fabric below my shoulders.

*I took in the skirt by increasing the width of the pleats (two in the back, one on each of the fronts). I could have used a "12" instead of the "14" for the skirt pieces.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

After my first experience with this pattern, I would definitely try it again. I would recommend this pattern to others. Things to watch out for are the length of the bodice, neckline depth/gaposis, and going down a size due to the potential extra ease in the waist and the skirt. Following my instinct, I did not perform my usual petite adjustment at the waistline. So if you have a long torso, be on the lookout for the length of the bodice.

Conclusion:
The smiles say it all!