PR Post of Burda 10-2012-114B {patternreview.com}

This entry was originally posted on patternreview.com and burdastyle.com.

 

 

Sizing:  38

Fabric: knit

Assembly time: 3 hrs (not including the mockup)

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions are fine, but I preferred my own method for this one. I first tried this pattern on some horrible fabric that stretched far too much and learned a lot from that experience.

Modification: The instructions say to baste stitch and gather the sleeves and front center seams; well, it is so much easier to use elastic. I cut four pieces of elastic based on the same measurements on the pattern for gathering, ran the pieces through the machine while stretching the elastic, and voila lovely gathers on both sides of the seam. Using the elastic also meant that I could skip stabilizing the seams, which the directions say to do. For the hems, I used Steam-a-Seam instead of bias stripes. Despite shortening the sleeves by 1.5”, I should have shortened another inch.

Would you recommend it to others?  This pattern was great. I would defiantly recommend it for someone new to Burda like me. Most important though, I would recommend getting a hard copy of the magazine because there are pictorial instructions in addition to the center packet directions.

Would you sew it again? Yes, I want more! 

Transparent Ghost Costume {Martha Stewart ghost}

Pattern link:  Martha Steward No-Sew Ghost

Sizing: one size fits all
Fabric:  15 yds tulle
Notions:  ribbon
Cost: $20
Assembly time:  1 hr
Instructions:  poor
Modification:  shortened, shredded tulle
Recommend:  yes, easy with good results

A few years ago I made this costume for a party.  It was so much fun showing up as the quintessential Halloween ghost, but not sporting the common sheet with holes for eyes.  If you need an upscale costume with minimal sewing and in a short time, this might be up your alley.

The costume, though easy to assemble, is a bit hard to work with since the direction provided, in my experience, yield different results than the picture.  First off, it is hard to find 108" tulle.  Secondly, the hood does not end up as large as MSLO photographs.  Thirdly, tossing the tulle into the dryer results in nothing.  Lastly, stacking the same length of tulle only results in a very long costume.  I maneuvered over these obstacles with results that worked well for the situation. 

Grieving Widow Costume {Simplicty 2354}

Pattern:  unknown, but Simplicity 2354 is similar
Fabric:  satin
Notions:  lace trim, lace by the yard, and brading
Cost:  approximately $75
Modification:  version B skirt with version A top, inserted apron into skirt panels
Recommend:  you can give it a try

Here's a costume I made oh so long ago that I remember none of the details, including the fact that I have no idea which pattern I used, how much fabric, or how much time it took me to make. What I do remember is why I made this costume and where I wore it. Like most of my costumes, they are made for murder mystery parties. My friends and I enjoy having and throwing these parties because they are rather easy. The game includes directions for everything, including what type of costume you should find. For this party, I was to play a grieving widow from the 1800s. 
 

American Native Costume {Simplicity 5446}

Pattern:  Simplicity 5446

Fabric:  6 yrds skin toned satin-reverse side
Additional Supplies: fringed; banding
Cost: fairly expensive for a costume; fabric $50, trim $70, elastic $1
Assembly time:  unknown
Instructions:  easy, but not necessary
Modification:  none
Recommend:  yes

I feel the need to apologize.  All my costume posts this season are old and I know my posts lack a bit of detail, so sorry.  I am fortunate, though, to have a stash that services as evidence to all the fun times I have had dressing as someone else.  Not all the costumes are mine along though, I enjoy making my husband's outfit too. 

 

It's a CHiPs Halloween {repurposed costume}

CHiPs is Awesome!  Ok, I am not referring to the actual California Highway Patrol, but one of the best television shows ever...CHiPs.  Don't take me wrong, the highway patrol for California does an outstanding job.  (I remember you, officer, stopping five lanes of traffic to remove trash from the center lane.  No one could have done it quiet like you.  Seriously, how did you get everyone to stop?) 

 

For those of you who don't know, CHiPs is a circa late 70s to early 80s television show  staring Erik Estrada as Frank "Ponch" Poncherello and Larry Wilcox as John Baker.  Though I would highly recommend you buying the shows in their full legal completeness (just because they are so good), you can view the opening credits here. 
 

PR Post of Simplicity 1914 {patternreview.com}

This post was originally posted on patternreview.com and on this site as Amazingly Sparkly.

Sizing:  10, B cup, curvy fit

Fabric:  linen rayon mix

Assembly time:  12 hrs.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions are compressive to the point that I became annoyed. The directions give plenty of hints for achieving a nice fit, and since I am pretty close to the pattern proportions without changes, most of the instructions were useless and overcomplicated things. If you have issues with sizing or want to learn more tailoring techniques, this pattern in a good resource.

Modification:  I prefer dress bodices to have lining. So, I added one and recommend that you consider doing the same. The lining will aid in finishing the armholes nicely. Since there are so many sizing options with the pattern, I made no further deviations.

Golden Goddess Costume {McCall's 4954}

 

  Sorry but this pattern is out of print.

Pattern:  McCall's 4954, link not available
Sizing: 14
Fabric:  5 5/8 yrds crepe for dress; 4 yrds chiffon for wrap
Additional Supplies: calls for lining, but self-lined
Cost:  best guess $65, chiffon was expensive
Assembly time:  unknown, made 3 yrs ago
Instructions:  unsure, but look understandable
Modification:  none
Recommend:  yes, who says it has to be costume

PR Post of Simplicity 2209 {patternreview.com}

This review was orignally published on patternreview.com and on this site as Red Dress.

 

Pattern Sizing: I did cut the pattern at a size 16. For dresses off the rack of a similar style I would typically buy a size 8/10. I recommend reading the ease marking included on the pieces. The next time I will cut to a size 14.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, the dress did look like the envelope. Even with the alterations I made to the bodice (adding lining) the style was kept.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are very easy to follow. The only issue I had was folding the front darting. I'm not certain that all the marks are included on the pattern.