Saturday, August 13, 2011

Kwik Sew 3856 (the dress that should have been a maxi)



When I saw this fabric, I knew it would be something special. When I saw Patty's many versions of Kwik Sew 3856, I knew I had to have a maxi from this pattern. But the vision in my head was that fabric with that maxi pattern.

So I searched high and low, and could not find more of this pretty, semi-sheer cotton silk ( from Joann's...no kidding).

And because of my impulsiveness, and because I had the fabric and I had the pattern, I forged ahead....my mini-maxi:


What do I love about this pattern? I love the ease of style, the ease of wearing, the fact that I made it in about an hour and a half. It could be dressed up, dressed down, worn as a bathing suit cover-up, worn to walk the dog. Or worn to run errands and go to an auction. It's a cool style and adaptable to modifications.

So that brings me to the part I didn't love so much about this pattern.


I cut the X-L so that I had enough bodice space without doing a FBA....I figured I'd save myself some time. That being said, while I got my extra for boobage, I had way too much extra for the skirt and sleeve. So back to the machine to take in the sides and a sizeable chunk of the underarm seam...just to bring it in closer to my body. I would say that the way the pattern is cut, with the kimono-type sleeve working itself right into the elastic high waist did not make for a flattering fit ( at least for me, anyway). In hindsight, I also would have lowered the empire waist a couple of inches. But I just squeezed enough from my yardage to do even this much. And I'm impulsive. No muslin.

It has a very deep neckline, so that called for more fiddling. Actually, does anyone else have an issue with pattern companies and their plunging necklines? Good grief!

Overall, had it not been for the drapiness of my fabric, the ability to make some modifications, and adding a chunky belt, I would have been VERY disappointed with this dress.


Will I make it again? Perhaps. If I find just the right fabric and just the right yardage to make a maxi. But, life is short... and there are so many other patterns, and so little time....

Going antiquing with JR today! Happy Mama!


10 comments:

  1. Great save, Lynne, it is a very cute dress on you. Sometimes the perfect fabric and pattern is hard to find. Have fun antiquing with your hubby, can't wait to see what you get.

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  2. Beautiful job. It does look so comfortable. Hope you had a wonderful day.

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  3. You look great in that. Did my share of thrifting today too!

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  4. Such a pretty dress! Good job on making it work for you.

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  5. Great dress. It looks so carefree. You can probably take it in to the fall season and add a cardigan. I like the sleeves. Those would work for me when it comes to covering my flabby arms.

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  6. LOVELY as always...and thank that little pug for some face time too! Adorable as ever

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  7. Sorry to have to disagree but I don't find this dress flattering on you at all. It makes you look like a puffy little doll. I especially don't like the belt worn right under the bust. Perhaps if it were a different color ... one closer to the color of the dress I wouldn't dislike it so much. As is, it just cuts you right in two and draws attention to the bust.

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  8. Nearly three years later, I am making this dress and want to thank you for your review (surfed in on a google search). I also have to say that Charlotte's comment above is so rude it took my breath away. That said, you helped me to decide to lengthen the bodice a bit, so thanks for the tip. I am making the medium and adding two inches to the bodice.

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  9. Thank you Jill! Well, sometimes people just say what's on their mind! I just did a similar rendition of this same dress as a wedding gown for a simple outdoor ceremony !

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