Sunday, March 17, 2024

Lutterloh Patterns Come Alive!

 Supplement 332 - Model #5 - 2024

Loose fitting, full figure, knit top
 
   Hi there fellow Lutterloh sewists. Spring is almost here and the newest Lutterloh supplement is full of promise for a new wardrobe! This recent top seemed like a good start to ease into some warmer weather. It's another full figure pattern adapted to fit my less than full figure.
 
Pattern Hints:
   This pattern surprised me a little with a very loose fit and longer length. I anticipated a looser top from examining the pattern lines but the fashion drawing, with the hand in her pocket, disguised the true length of this top. It hits just at the bottom of the crotch. That's not really long enough to be a tunic but certainly longer than the average T-shirt. Below is the miniature of the pattern pieces.
 

  You can see that there isn't much shaping at the waist. The red lines are roughly where I reduced the waist for a slightly closer fitting top. The center back seam also gives a little more opportunity for more shaping at the waist. Because this is a full figure pattern I used a number on the Lutterloh scale that was a full 5 dots less than my actual measurement. Even though this represents a pattern that is 10cm less than my normal measurement it still produced a fairly loose fitting top. 
 
Style Changes:
   As mentioned above I ended up taking in this top at the waist at all the seams. In addition to being a looser fitting top I also found the length to be too long for my liking. I ended up cutting off 2 inches from the bottom to get a more standard T-shirt length top. This pattern, if extended quite a bit, might also make a pretty nice dress pattern. The ruching, below the V neck, is quite flattering for a larger bust and would probably help disguise a thicker waist if made up in the original looser fit. 
 
Fabric Used/Suggested:
   My lavender fabric is close to a medium weight interlock knit. This may have contributed to my dislike of the original fit. A lighter weight, clingier knit may have been more appropriate. Now, looking at the photo, I may even take the seams in further to get a closer fit for this particular fabric. If I make this again I'll look for a rayon or bamboo blend or perhaps an ITY knit. This probably isn't a pattern that would work well in a stretch woven unless it was much closer fitting with a zipper opening.
 
Closing Hints:
    After the alterations I do like the way this top turned out. My only reservation would be that the strap in the center of the ruching was a little fiddly to apply. I was afraid that if I top-stitched it that the gathers would be distorted. I ended up hand tacking the center strap on from the inside all the way up to the neckline. I tried the top on before the strap was applied but it just didn't look finished without it. For the future I'll try to figure out another way to apply the strap.
 
Until next time then, happy sewing everyone,
 
Ann in Calif.           

Thursday, February 1, 2024

My Favorite Blouse

 Supplement 267 - Model #48 - 2007 
Collarless Blouse converted to front button style

   Hello again Lutterloh fans. I'll be taking a vacation soon to warm, sunny, southern California so I was looking through my closet and realized these blouses would be perfect. These aren't new but I thought I would share how I converted this pattern to a front button style instead of the intended side zipper opening.
 
The Pattern:
    The original pattern suggests a side zipper opening with the front pieces cut on the fold. I admit I have never made this blouse in its original form. From the first time I saw it I knew I would alter it. Below is a pic of the front pattern pieces which are drawn as one and then cut apart into upper and lower bodice. 
   You can see the symbol for a side zipper on the right of the photo. The red line indicates where I extended the neckline and center front by 3/4 of an inch. This allowed me to add a button placket for 5/8 inch buttons. I cut my 2 inch wide facing before I cut the top and bottom apart thus avoiding the extra bulk where the seams would meet. The blue line is a rough drawing of how I shaped the front facing. The back neck facing was cut at the same width. After my initial test of this pattern I felt the lower front bodice could use a little more shaping so I sewed a small dart in the lower bodice just under the bust gathers indicated by the green lines. You can see that first version on Sewing Pattern Review here.
 
Style Changes:
    I decided to cut the puff sleeve much shorter for the white version and leave the sleeves off altogether for the orange version. The arm hole is plenty high enough to wear this as a sleeveless blouse. Rather than arm hole facings I bound the arm holes of the orange blouse with bias tape. 
   Model #46 shows this blouse with a tie collar. Instead, to my white blouse, I added a lace collar which I embroidered onto 2 layers of organza. Both models of this pattern have a back bodice cut in one piece with long double ended darts for waist shaping. This allows for waist shaping for any figure since you can make them wider or narrower to your preference.
 
Fabrics:
     So far I have made this blouse in a variety of fabrics. The blouses in the photo are made up in a white striped seersucker and an orange/red quilting cotton. I have also made this in lightweight flannel and a slightly sheer Swiss dot. Obviously the lighter the fabric the sooner the blouse wore out. For a dressier look a silky fabric would work too. This could even be made in a stable knit with some adjustments for stretch. 
 
Conclusion:
    What makes this my favorite blouse pattern is that it can be made in so many fabrics. With a little imagination for the collar, sleeve and embellishment variations, you too can have a wardrobe of blouses in your closet. Since I have the bodice fitted to my liking I may even experiment with cutting the back piece at the same level as the front so a flowy, gathered bottom portion could be added. I do love the versatility of a well fitted pattern.
   I would strongly encourage you to think outside the box with your Lutterloh patterns. Sometimes with just a little tweaking you can end up with your very own favorite pattern.
 
I hope the new year is bringing you time to sew with your Lutterloh patterns.
Happy sewing everyone,
 
Ann in Calif.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Lutterloh Patterns Come Alive!

Supplement 290 - Model #39 - 2013      

  Full Figure Panties Pattern
 
   Hi there everyone and Happy New Year! I for one am glad the holidays are winding down. My sewing machines could use servicing and frankly I really don't need any specific items of clothing right now. In an attempt to pare down my fabric scraps I decided to make undies out of some of my favorite prints. These will just be for everyday wear under jeans or dresses or whatever.
 
Pattern Hints:
   I looked through many Lutterloh patterns to decide on this one. There was another more recent one that looked promising but I chose this one for the slightly higher cut leg. There were even swimsuit bottoms that I considered but this one seemed to most closely resemble the shape I commonly wear. Make sure to look at the line drawings for the patterns to get a better idea of the expected fit.
 
   Don't be surprised if you end up making a test pair or two. Since underwear fits so closely and each knit fabric has its own properties you may get a better fit with one fabric over another. The elastic will affect the fit as well so you may want to try more than one type to find what's comfortable. 
 
Design Changes:
   I did make a few minor changes to this pattern to make it fit my preference. First, since this is for full figures, I enlarged the pattern to a size that was a full 6 sizes lower than my measurement. My first attempt was downright baggy but that could have been a feature of my fabric choice too. Once the size was right I wanted to cut the legs a little higher. I drew the curve for the top of the leg opening a half inch higher than suggested and then added a half inch to the top hem all around the pattern. I didn't want the sides to end up like string bikinis. There was a little tweaking of the back leg shape too but the curves were pretty close from the start.
 
   There is a suggestion for cutting a crotch lining for these undies and I would agree they need one. I actually cut my pattern apart at this marking to make a 2 piece front. It's marked on the pattern diagram that I included in the next section. In my opinion this made it easier to attach the lining and keep all the seam allowances tucked in and neat.  
 
Fabric Used/Suggested:
  These were all made from remnants of past projects but they are all cotton knits. The 2 way stretch knits fit better when I cut a smaller seam allowance but the elastic lengths worked the same for every pair. Once you get those figured out you can line up several pairs of panties to sew in a production line. If you're going to try more than one type of elastic (picot, clear, fold over etc.) it's probably best to do that in the initial "muslin" phase so you can see how each type affects the fit. I would keep all your fabric choices similar to each other so there are no surprises after applying the elastic. 
 
   The elastic I ended up using for most of my panties was 3/8" clear elastic for the legs and 5/8" picot elastic for the waistband. I was equally pleased with picot elastic on the legs and clear elastic on the waist but I was at least trying to match colors so they're an assortment of fabrics and finishes. My elastic measurements ended up about 3/4 of the length of the fabric they were gathered to. For example: If the waist of my panties measures 32 inches then I would use 24 inches of elastic. The same goes for the leg holes. Turn your measuring tape on its side to get an accurate measurement.
 
   If you search there are plenty of sites on the internet that will explain the different applications for each type of elastic. What's a little harder to find is an explanation of how specifically to apply it to the legs of panties. I've included a diagram below to demonstrate where I applied my elastic at a 1:1 ratio and where I stretched the elastic to fit better on the buttocks.                                                                    
   The pink line on the outside is where I sewed on my elastic with little to no stretching. The area of the panties that gets gathered the most is all in the back leg. You'll need to stretch your elastic quite a bit to attach all the fabric to the elastic in this area. The pink arrow is pointing to the edge of the lining where I cut my pattern to make a third piece as I mentioned in Design Changes above. After a little experimenting I found I preferred to serge the elastic to the inside of the fabric, turn and then topstitch down from the outside with a stretch stitch. Your preferred method may be different depending on your type of elastic.
 
Closing Hints:
   For such a small project that seemed like a lot of explaining. I assure you, once you work out the shape and the elastic measurements, these really are a quick sew. I don't know that I would go to the trouble if I only needed one pair but when you make them assembly line style they come together in a snap. You also have the benefit of having a pattern to use in the future that can help use up those scraps you couldn't part with.
 
Here's to using up our stash and finishing those projects in the new year!
Until next time, happy sewing everyone,
 
Ann in Calif.

Friday, December 1, 2023

Some Lutterloh Gifts

 Children's Collection 3
Special Edition 39 
Pajamas and nightshirt for my son's niece

    Hello again Lutterloh enthusiasts. I thought I would get a jump on some sewing for the holidays. Sewing for children can be so rewarding and Lutterloh makes it easier with their customizable sizing. 
 
Pattern Hints:    
     This pattern is from the most recent Special Edition for children but it also appears in Supplement #319 from 2020. Unlike many recent Lutterloh patterns the neckline on this pattern is not actually as wide as the drawing makes it look. I made the nightshirt first and decided to make the ribbed neck binding a little longer for the pajamas. 
 
Design Changes:
    Since the sleeves are interchangeable for these patterns I ended up with long sleeves on the nightshirt and shorter ones on the pajamas. This had more to do with a shortage of fabric than any real design decision. I was just trying to make the items look cohesive with the fabric that I had on hand. 
 
Fabric Used/Suggested:
    As the symbol indicates this pattern is intended for knit or stretch fabric. The nightshirt is a lovely cotton interlock from Fabric Worm and the pajamas are made from a mystery fabric from a rummage sale. One of the nice aspects of sewing children's clothes is that it doesn't take much fabric. I still didn't have quite enough thus the contrasting sleeves. 
 
Closing Hints:
    Somehow I thought I was getting a head start to my holiday sewing but there is just so much more to do! At least kids pajamas are a fast project and ultimately satisfying because they always turn out so cute. 
 
Here's hoping you get all your holiday sewing done in time. I sure hope I do anyway.
 
Happy sewing everyone,
Ann in Calif.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Lutterloh Patterns Come Alive!

 Supplement 330 - Model#161
 Knit dress with short, kimono sleeves and side slits
 
    Hi there folks. It seems like Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I thought I should make a dress that won't have me roasting in the hot kitchen along with the turkey. This cap sleeved, knit dress looked like just the ticket. The high, round neckline is not the most flattering for me so I changed it to a draped, cowl neckline. 

Pattern Hints:  
    This pattern was a breeze to enlarge to my size. It is rather long though so make sure you have a nice long table to work on. The short sleeved view of this pattern is comprised of just two pattern pieces, front and back with neck facings from the same pattern pieces. The self belt is a suggested length rectangle. I was surprised to find that despite the apparent shaping at the waist this dress really does turn out as shapeless as the line drawing for the back suggests.

Design Changes:  
    The one major design change I made was to convert this pattern to a draped, cowl neckline. I used the instructions outlined in this article by Threads magazine. Since my figure is curvier than the model pictured I knew I would skip the self belt worn at the hips. I also had to cut my pattern at the waist and make separate bodice and skirt pieces. Besides making it easier to adjust for the cowl neckline it also made it possible to cut this altered pattern out of just 1.75 yards of 58 inch wide fabric. Since my belt sits at the waist it completely hides the seam there.
 
Fabric Used/Suggested:
    This pattern is designed for a knit fabric and without a closure of some kind that's exactly the type of fabric needed to get the dress over your head and shoulders. My fabric is a lovely, soft cotton print from Fabric Worm with 5% Lycra added. I was fortunate enough to have stopped by their retail store in Paso Robles, CA on a trip to see a friend in Ventura, CA. I'm sure this simple pattern would lend itself to many different knit fabrics. I may change the neckline to a "V" shape to use up some sweater knit.
 
Closing Hints:
    The longer length with high side slits on this dress makes it feel just a little fancier than a standard T-shirt type dress. The top of the slits, at the suggested 30cm, hit a little above the knee on me. I am finding I prefer the shorter, kimono type sleeve to a separate set in style. I feel like it gives me just a little more room at the bust when making an otherwise close fitting bodice. Now that I have this altered for a cowl neck I will likely use the pattern at the shorter, top length for #162 to make a shell for under jackets. Cooler weather is upon us.
 
Make sure to take some time for yourself this busy season. We all deserve it.
 
Happy sewing everyone,
Ann in Calif. 

Friday, September 29, 2023

Lutterloh Patterns Come Alive!

 Supplement 325 - Model #26 
Loose fitting elastic waist pants
 
    Hello there, Lutterloh enthusiasts. Now that the weather is finally cooling I thought I would wear pants to an upcoming birthday party for a neighbor. This pattern seemed like a good start for something that could be dressed up a little. The review for the top I'm wearing can be found here. 

Pattern Hints:
    Usually I steer clear of the full figure pants patterns because the crotch length is so long for me. This time I thought I might use this to my advantage. Instead of using a number on the Lutterloh scale that was lower than my actual measurement I just enlarged this pattern to my actual body measurement. From past experience I knew this would give me a pattern that was larger than I needed. Because of the semi sheer fabric I was using I wanted pants that would flow around my figure with no clinging. This strategy seemed to work for this pattern anyway. I ended up with a pattern with very loose fitting legs but extra length at the top that needed to be chopped off.
    Here are the pattern pieces for model #26. It's a fairly basic straight leg pant with front pockets. All the length that I subtracted from the top I ended up adding to the length of the legs but this is a normal alteration for me anyway. Fortunately the slit for the pockets was deep enough that I can still fit my hand.
 
Design Changes:
    It doesn't feel like making the pattern extra large was a design change although it did result in a looser fitting pant. The only real design change I made was to line these pants with another layer of the same crepe fabric. To do this I did need to combine the pocket pattern with the front leg pattern. It was easy enough to lay one pattern piece over the other to draw a plain front leg piece with no pocket. My elastic waistband is also 1.5" wide instead of the suggested 6cm folded in half.
 
Fabric Used/Suggested:   
    To make these pants dressier I used a polyester crepe fabric that was just a little sheer. I'm sure they would work just as well in many other woven fabrics. For a more casual look, like in the fashion drawing, I might use linen or even a heavy gauze fabric. Some dressier fabrics like velvet or satin could work too.
 
Closing Hints:   
     This pattern will prove to be versatile in the future for both casual and dressy pants, I'm sure. You can hardly go wrong with a loose straight leg pant with pockets. 
 
Until next time then, happy sewing everyone!
 
Ann in Calif.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Lutterloh Patterns FASHION FLASHBACK

 Supplement 94 - Model #316 (1964)
 
Vintage style nightgown
 
    Hi there folks. This Summer has been pretty hot in California so I find myself in need of some easy, breezy sleepwear. My go to nightgowns are usually from Eileen West but they are pretty darn expensive. I knew as long as I could find the right fabric that they could be duplicated. This is my simplified version.
 
Pattern Hints:
     This 1964 pattern draws out just as easily as any other Lutterloh pattern. I was able to use my modern Lutterloh scale because all the numbers end in either a whole number or a .5 decimal. Some of the older patterns require a vintage scale due to the numbers ending in a decimal other than a half centimeter.
 
    Because I knew I would use a wide eyelet trim for the strap I did need to combine the front and back strap into one pattern piece. The nightgown I was copying had a fairly long strap so I did add one inch between the pattern pieces. The pictures below demonstrate how the pattern pieces look once combined.
    The back yoke includes the back strap so the red line shows where it was cut to create a rectangular back yoke and separate back strap pattern piece. This way I could use the eyelet edge on both the yoke pieces and the inside edge of the straps. I did need to fiddle a little to get a straight line on the inside of the strap piece and the proper curve for the outside edge but the exercise was well worth it. Below is a photo of the finished strap with bias trim on the outside edge.
Design Changes:  
   Other than the obvious sleeveless alteration I did make a few more changes. I only had two yards of fabric so had to shorten my nightgown by almost four inches. Mine also has a one piece front instead of a seam down the center. My front yoke has a center seam instead of being cut on the fold. This allowed me to cut the yoke with the lace edge at the top. Both the front and back yoke seemed a little wide to me so I removed about 3/8 of an inch from the pattern pieces at center front and back.
 
Fabric Used/Suggested:
    Just like the inspiration Eileen West gown, I used a cotton lawn fabric and cotton eyelet lace trim. Cotton lawn makes for a cool wearing nightgown but batiste or perhaps voile or broadcloth might work too as long as the fabric wasn't too crisp. I wish cotton quilting fabric would work for this because of the variety in prints but it usually stands away from the body too much and ends up looking like a tent. A thin knit might work too if it weren't too sheer. It's entirely up to the wearer I suppose if you don't mind a see through nightgown.
 
Closing Hints:
    If you're a fan of Eileen West nightgowns this pattern is a perfect starting point. It would be easy enough to add the typical button placket in the front but I never use it so this simplified version is even easier. Now that I have the yoke and straps worked out for the eyelet trim I will definitely be making at least one more like this. All I need now is the right fabric in a pretty print. 
 
Hopefully you're managing to stay cool this Summer. I'm certainly looking forward to cooler weather. Until next time then.......
 
Happy sewing everyone,
Ann in Calif.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Lutterloh Patterns Come Alive!

Supplement 329 - Model #54 
Romper for woven fabrics
 
   Yay! Summer is here! This romper just looked like the perfect Summer outfit for a backyard BBQ. It even has pockets! There is another view, #53, for this pattern but I liked the button front for ease of use. I will talk more about model #53 a little later in the post.
 
Pattern Hints:
    The pattern for this romper is pretty straight forward and I didn't encounter any problems with this view. I made all my usual alterations and ended up with a pattern that went together like a breeze. The other view, #53, is another story however. Below is a pic of the fashion drawing for model #53 with the pattern pieces beside it. I have only erased the numbers for enlarging the pattern but no other symbols or marks.
    If you look closely
you'll see that the front bodice of view #53 is cut on the fold and the back bodice indicates a keyhole opening of just 10cm at the center back neck. The shorts for both views have an elastic waist but no opening for a zipper or buttons. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't know how you're supposed to get into this outfit with just an opening at the neck! I believe that there should be a center back zipper for view #53 just so you can step into it. I might even extend that zipper into the shorts just a little to make it easier to get it on. If I have missed something about this pattern I would really like to know. This is probably just a typo and I'm glad to have noticed it.
 
Design Changes:
   I made only minor design changes to this pattern. My romper has four buttons instead of three and I used bias binding at the arm holes instead of facings. Lutterloh pockets always seem inadequate to me so I used a standard pocket pattern that is much deeper. Lastly, I left off the waist tie altogether since I knew I would wear a belt with this romper.
 
Fabric Used/Suggested:
   For my romper I used a super soft rayon challis. It is a dream to wear when the weather heats up in Summer. This pattern is designed for woven fabrics but you could probably use a knit if it wasn't very stretchy. Whatever fabric you choose I would suggest something with a good drape to it. A stiffer fabric will stand away from the body and cause the sleeves to stick out too. If I were to make another romper I might try a soft chambray or perhaps a limp cotton quilting fabric. Someone very thin might even get away with a very lightweight denim or twill.
 
Closing Hints:
   Other than the glaring issue with a missing opening for this pattern it really is well drafted. It would probably be easier to put on if there was a side zipper that extended below the waist but it is not absolutely essential. That would be just one more step to add to this otherwise easy, breezy pattern. All in all this pattern seems just about perfect to me and I should get lots of wear out of my new romper.
 
I hope your Summer is shaping up to be an enjoyable one.
Happy sewing everyone,
 
Ann in Calif. 

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Can I use a slim fit Lutterloh pattern?

 Supplement 328 - Model #111

 Slim Fit top pattern

    Hello again from California. Hey, have you tried any of the Lutterloh patterns designed for slim figures? They're designated by a dress form outline next to the fashion drawing. These patterns are typically suggested for people with a bust measurement of 90cm or less. I wanted to see if I could make them work for my curvier figure. Similar to "shrinking" the full figure patterns by using a lower number, I used a number 3 dots higher on the Lutterloh scale from my true bust and hip measurements. The good news is that I was able to make it work but the bad news is that it took quite a bit of adjusting. 
 
Modifications: 
   The very first adjustment this pattern needed was at the neckline. Although the fashion drawing shows what appears to be a scoop neck I needed to lower my pattern neckline by two inches to get the shape you see here. The next problem I noticed was that the armholes were going to be too small for me. This is not an adjustment that I usually need to make. I do however typically lengthen my patterns by one inch at the standard cross mark on the pattern. Because this top is a kimono style sleeve I was able to lengthen my pattern above the cross mark and achieve two adjustments at once.
Splitting the pattern at this point allowed me to lengthen the pattern and enlarge the armhole in one operation. This alteration wouldn't work for a set in sleeve so I was glad for this particular style.
 
    The rest of the modifications stemmed from this pattern having very little shaping at the waist. They are intended, after all, for figures that are very slim, not hour glass. I should have tried this on more as I was sewing but it was just an experiment, sooooooo...
Once the darts were sewn and the zipper was installed in the side seam I basted the last seam and realized this still fit like a sack. I took each dart in a little more but it just wasn't enough! Out of desperation I took all the slack out in the back center seam. Since my neckline was lower in the front it turns out I didn't need the button opening suggested for the back neck anyway. This top was not shaping up to be anything I wanted to repeat so I didn't bother with the front belt either. 
 
Fabric Choice:    
    Although my top is certainly comfy to wear I don't think it's what was intended for this pattern. Mine is a rayon nylon blend with some sort of smocking texture built in. If it was intended to be a knit it's definitely the least stretchy knit I have ever worked with. A better fabric choice for this top might be a lightweight shirting, batiste or challis fabric. The fabric needs some drape to it but limp fabric just contributes to it's shapelessness. 
 
Conclusion:  
    As you may have surmised, this is not one of my favorite makes for this year. I'm glad I completed the experiment but I won't be trying any more slim fit patterns anytime soon. It seems they really are designed for the truly slim figures, certainly not hourglass shapes anyway. I would say more likely for rectangle or perhaps more athletic figures. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a similar pattern in the standard range. Until then, there are just so many other patterns to consider...................
 
Happy sewing everyone,
Ann in Calif. 

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Lutterloh Patterns Come Alive!

Supplement 328 - Model #103
Off Center V neck knit dress
 
   Hello my fellow Lutterloh enthusiasts. It seemed like warmer weather was right around the corner but perhaps I was mistaken. This dress may be a little premature but when I saw the pattern I knew exactly which fabric I could use from the stash.
 
Pattern Hints:
   Because of the off center V neckline on this pattern, you need to draw out the entire front pattern piece rather than just half of a pattern cut on a fold. The center front is indicated on the pattern so it's easy to fold on this line to be sure the two side seams match. I only needed to do a little adjusting to get them the same. Unlike other recent patterns, this neckline seems a little higher than the fashion drawing indicates. After enlarging the pattern to the longer length version I found I needed to cut the pattern in between the two suggested lengths to suit my preference.

Design Changes:
    In addition to lengthening this pattern I also opted to leave off the external casings for the sleeve ties and belt. I find dangling sleeve ties sort of annoying and the waistline belt casing just felt like it would add bulk where I didn't need it. This dress certainly needed some definition at the waist though. The photo below shows how truly roomy it is. I may add elastic at the waist just so a belt is not absolutely necessary. 
   The pattern indicates that the smaller front shoulder piece should be cut on the straight of grain like the rest of the front. However, I cut three different shoulder fronts, one in solid black, just to test out the different looks. I decided on the piece cut on the cross grain just for a little pizazz. This dress is a fairly simple shape so I thought it needed a contrast. As much as I like pockets in a dress I decided to skip those too. This fabric just didn't feel like it would support them without distorting the side seams.

Fabric Used/Suggested:
   This pattern is designed for knits but a stretch woven might work if it had the right drape to it. My striped fabric is a poly/rayon knit with stretch in both directions. I don't know if it's the lightweight nature or the stretchiness of this fabric but it curled at the edges like crazy! This was one of the reasons I decided to skip the casings at the waist and sleeves. I was so tired of wrestling with matching the seams that I just wanted to be done with it. I do love the final result though and may even make another one once I find the right weight knit to use.
 
 Closing Hints:
   Even after all the trouble I had with the fabric I would still like to try this dress again. The neckline is fun and it's a pretty easy project once you get done with the facing. I might even try a ribbing finish at the neck for a more sporty look. The front shoulder piece lends itself to color blocking and even the belt and sleeve casings could be in a contrast fabric. Overall, I'm calling this pattern a keeper for a nice, pullover, knit dress.
 
I have my fingers crossed for some warmer weather ahead so I can wear this dress. Until then...
 
Happy sewing everyone,
Ann in Calif.