Hello Readers, how are you all? My latest make is from Burda Style pattern 7494, and I love the finished dress. The pattern was actually gifted to me by the lovely (and very generous) Helen, who runs the fabric stall in my local covered market, here in Carlisle. The fabric is a gorgeous Ikat cotton that I bought a few weeks ago from a fabric shop located in a neighbouring town. It’s actually this one, if anyone wants to buy it. Excuse the wrinkles though, I had been sitting around a while in the dress before taking the pictures!
Of course when I saw the fabric in the shop I thought I would make a skirt from it. So I only bought 2 metres of fabric. When the urge hit me to sew it, I suddenly switched to the idea of making a dress. So that’s why the front and back side princess seamed panels are done in the cotton denim, rather than the Ikat fabric. But I quite like the effect, what do you think? (The cotton denim, BTW, is leftover from this project).
Inspite of only having 2 metres of fabric to play with, I think I didn’t do too badly with pattern matching (although don’t examine the side seams too much :-)).
Julia Bobbin has made 4 completely different versions of this dress by varying the skirts/ fabrics, and I can see why. The bodice on this dress really is super flattering, and aside from shortening the length of the front and back bodice I didn’t have to make any other changes, and there were no issues with the dreaded armholes! I did take Julia’s advice though, and substituted darted skirt back pieces for the supplied pattern skirt back pieces, which have box pleats.
Pattern Review.
Pattern Description:
A little bit of the fifties – enchanting dress with a light tulip skirt and girlish Peter Pan collar. Worn with matching peplum jacket, short sleeved and pleated.
Pattern Sizing:
8 – 20
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, although I substituted the box pleated skirt back pieces for simple darted pieces instead.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Those that I followed were. I only used them up until half way through, though, as I decided to fully line the dress, and not use the facings that the pattern suggest.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Not a dislike as such, but if you have a considerable posterior (that’s me) then you may want to avoid using the box pleated skirt back pieces. I substituted them with plain darted skirt back pieces. I love the bodice. Very cute and comfortable.
Fabric Used:
A cotton Ikat. Heavier weight than most cottons, but still not too heavy.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
As mentioned above I substituted the box pleated back skirt pieces with plain darted skirt back pieces. I shortened the front and back bodice pieces by just under 2 inches I think.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
As others have done I may be tempted to sew the bodice again but substitute it with another skirt. Yes, I would recommend it.
Conclusion:
This is a super flattering bodice and it does look great with the tulip style skirt, but would also look fab with other skirt types.
Until next time…..
p.s. Yes, we are now into opaque tights (pantyhose as our American cousins like to call them) weather here in Cumbria. Consider autumn well and truly here!
sewmanju 
I have just found your blog and have really enjoyed reading through your past posts. I love this dress on you. Choice of fabric and pattern are so flattering.
Thanks so much Julie.
Very attractive — and I’m impressed with your fabric substitution, it looks great!
Thanks Angela.
Very nice dress. I’m an American and I would call those tights. Only when they are stocking shear are they pantyhose.
Thanks carol, and thanks for clarifying tights/ pantyhose.:-)
Perfect for these late summer , definitely fall days. Great color/fabric combination
Thanks Joanne.
Pretty dress on you! I like the contrast side panels, which tie into the collar. No one would ever guess the true reason they are there. 🙂
Thanks Debbie.
Hi, what a flattering dress. It looks like a Boden dress but without the price tag. The collar is perfect, have you any tips?
Thanks Rachel. Tips? Hmmm. Baste before sewing and make sure you trim the allowances well before turning. I actually used my pinking shears to trim the curved edges as I read somewhere the pinking action does notching/ clipping all in one. I used it a couple of times for collars.
It’s a lovely style on you & the fabric is gorgeous. I love dresses with a wider neckline – they really create a great shape for a bodice.
Thanks lizzy.
ooo, i absolutely love your contrasting side panels…it really shows off the shape & style better than if they had been the Ikat! sometimes not having enough fabric is the answer 🙂
Thanks angelique.
Adorable. Now I must have contrasting side panels!!!
Thanks anne.
wow what a winner! The fabric and the fit are perfect; you look fabulous!
Thanks so much Julia.
Such an enticingly gorgeous dress on you! Awesome merge of dress style and fabric design.
Thanks heathersmom.
I love the contrasting side panels, I think it was a good thing you only bought enough fabric for a skirt! That fabric is such a great print, perfect transition colours for fall and spring. The dress is so flattering.
Thanks Kat.
Love the dress! You chose great fabric for the dress and contrast panels 🙂
Thanks Zoe.
I love this! The style is very flattering on you – you have a definite knack of picking very flattering patterns for yourself – and the fabric is gorgeous.
Thanks Sam.
Lovely! The contrast side panels definitely belong.
Stunning, stunning, stunning.
Really nice
Oh my gosh, it’s great! Found via patternreview and I love the way this turned out. It is a great silhouette.