Pattern Review "Jenny Dress" by Sis Boom Patterns

PATTERN REVIEW: 

Pattern Review: Jenny Dress by Sis Boom Patterns

Level = Intermediate 

Fit = AMAZING

Instruction = Great

Comfort to wear = Very comfortable for a fitted cotton dress.

Make again = Staple wardrobe pattern for sure!!!!

Pattern: "Jenny Dress"

Designer: Sis Boom Patterns ( CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PATTERN )

Fabric: Cheap decorator cotton from Spotlight (Australian) a stash zip and a small piece of quilting cotton for the purple front band. The cotton is quite thin and flows very nicely almost like rayon (though not)

Time to sew: no idea but it took a couple of evenings to cut and sew because i was distracted watching The Handmaids Tale at the same time


Well this is going to be one of my staple patterns for sure. I love it. Its perfect. The only pattern adjustment i will make next time is to take 1cm more off the shoulder seams as i have sloping shoulders. But that is unheard of that i make so little adjustments.

The pattern itself:
The bust shaping with the cup sizes was perfect. The suggested size cam out perfect. eveything was amazing. I used between 2.5 - 3m of fabric for the dress and the cut of the skirt means that if you have 10cm less or something you will probably be ok. Or you could make some of the bodice pieces out of a contrast fabric like i did.the pattern came together very well. The markings were excellent. At no point in construction was i confused about where i was to place patterns. The ONLY thing i whoopsied on was accidentally sewing both side seams. I'm so used to this and the pattern didn't remind me of this till after i had sewn them. However i was sewing at 11:00 pm to wear the next morning so that could be user error... lol

Sewing:
The most difficult bit was the gathering to the waistband to get it even and neat and this is the reason i think Intermediate pattern. It required a bit of pushing to get right, but VERY clear on the dress where this was needed. Also the 7 pieces in the bodice might be a bit much for a newbie, and then there is the zip. However i love side zips. SO much easier to get in and out of with a sore shoulder. Not as forgiving if you get the size wrong however. But this didn't worry me as the sizing was perfect to start with.

I was slightly confused with the waist band bit as its a different construction for me. But i made it up i think. Personally made so many dresses that after i saw the rough sewing guidelines i went with it. Also again i had had 3 glasses of champagne when sewing and it was 11:00pm :-) so the dress MUST be easy to sew!!!

Comfortable:
wow - yep.... i'm fussy its perfect. i love the fitted waistband and loose flowy top going into it. Gives it structure and shape but not constricting... i can eat a huge meal and not feel uncomfortable :-)

Overall score 10/10 Seriously i love the fit and the pattern.

Back View: Jenny Dress by Sis Boom Patterns

The back gathers into the waistband. I love how it feels fitted up top then fitted again at the band. Very very comfortable to wear.

Sis Boom Jenny Dress

Revitalizing

Hi,

i am revitalising this old blog as I am still interested in this challenge. I Hope i can post my more in depth makes here and connect with people who love making great modern, vintage, historical based clothing.

I love 1950's style dresses. So popular at the moment thank goodness. But i also make Victorian and Renaissance as well.

Mostly i am over on my FB pages not here, but I will post the detail makes here.

I am up to about 60% or so handmade clothing. Most days i wear something that is handmade.

currently i am updating my blog. Here are the links:

FACEBOOK PAGE - BORN IN THE WRONG AGE

FACEBOOK PATTERN ALBUM - Click Here

Hope to see you around


Sarah

Up-cycling to a 1940's dress

Well the date of 17th March (when all modern clothes are going away) is drawing close. Currently i will be wearing one dress and a slip. However i got my sewing machine back today. I have two dresses cut out on my floor and more patterns arriving every day now. Today my Apron pattern arrived.

So I went into town yesterday to go to the Thrift stores. I bought two sheets for $2 each so i can make the Aprons. Here are the sheets and the pattern...

Cheep Sheets for Fabric and Apron Pattern

I also bought a dress for $2. I am going to cut it up and re-create it. It is a button down the front and not too far off being appropriate for the 40's. Just needs some adjustments.

I got some ribbon to help decorate it. I will cut off the skirt about the middle knee. I will put a trim (caramel) around the neckline to help give it a bit more stability. The trim will go around the sleeves and help make the fabric belt (yes i can't wear that black one :-)

I am going to use the spare fabric from the skirt to make pockets for the front. I will trim the top of these pockets with the ribbon.

Here is my hair after it came out of the curlers this morning, i have the dress on to show what it looks like. I also got a $3 olive green handbag to go with it from the same store. VERY HAPPY.

So I figure that it won't take long to turn this into an appropriate dress. It also will just pass my "handmade" rule as i have to unpick and resew the dress and adding pockets and trims and things.

Anyway best get on with sewing!

Sarah

1940's Patterns That I Own

1940's Pattern Stash:

Well I thought that I aught to post all the 1940's ish dress patterns that I own. Just so we all know what i'm dealing with.

Some are a little earlier, some a little later, but all mostly 1940's or late 30's. Some of these haven't arrived yet as they have been ordered off Etsy or Ebay or something. I am awaiting patiently, or not so patiently, for them to arrive

Not TOO many yet, but this is only about two weeks into my 1940's project, so I think I am doing very well.

Basically i wanted to try out a whole variety of patterns and styles. Otherwise i won't know what I like and what I don't..

Missing Patterns:

A couple of patterns that i still need are some blouse patterns, skirt patterns,  perhaps another suit pattern, coat/housecoat pattern. Hat patterns. Generally, just more patterns. I think I have enough below to keep me occupied however.

Project 1 - Pink Ribbon Dress

MY FIRST PROJECT:

Dress will be the one with ribbons. Dress is pink cotton with a pink ribbon. I am making this as it will still look modern and not too out of place. A "first start".

SECOND PROJECT:

This dress is a black with small pink flowers. It is very slippery, will hang nice, but a bugger to sew. Silly me... Complicated pattern and i choose difficult fabric too... "baste...baste...baste..."

THE FABRICS:

Here are the fabrics underneath their respective patterns.

My 1940's dresses and their fabrics

Close up of fabrics

Close up of fabric

I'm sure that as i go along i will get more authentic and know what will look good and not. For the moment these are my first projects. Will see how we go.

Sarah

The Start of the 1940's Vintage Wardrobe Challenge

I have decided to set myself a challenge. The challenge is as follows...

By March 17th, I will have removed all bar 20 items of modern clothes from my wardrobe. From then on, only handmade/vintage 1940's clothing is allowed.

The aim is to have a practical, functional, co-ordinating wardrobe of pretty garments. Hats, gloves, shoes included.

I have much to do and I will post updates later. I hope this blog can be a record of my journey :-)