Thursday, February 19, 2009

Burda 7761 Knit Jumper

I decided to listen to you. Probably it looks just fine the way it is. I did, of course, have to rip it out two other times and re-attach the pleats in different ways before deciding that it was okay. It's kind of a dark eggplant-y purple. The tiny horizontal stripes are grey/white.


Here is a close-up of the bodice. You can kind of see the fabric here.


This is the view that I don't like at all. Oh well, I guess I don't see that side very often. It does bug me though. I think that this is a design feature. There is no way this could be fitted through there with those loose hanging pleats.



This was one of the ways I tried it. Hee, hee. When my husband took this picture he said, "You're not gonna liiiiiike it." When he says something like that, it's gotta be bad. And it was.


This is the current (and final) version. We are done. Done. Man, I need to run some miles. In all fairness though, I think that this style may not be best on a pear-shaped woman. It makes my shoulders look narrow and my hips look large. When you're a pear you don't need to emphasize that. Your body does it all by itself. But, I like the jumper anyway.

Her's the review:
Pattern Description: A sassy jumper/pinafore dress in the style of the sixties. Radiating pleats form an intriguing accent while the high band is an authentic detail. When worn solo, the deep V-neck reveals an enticing glimpse of lace.
This is also in the 09/2007 BWOF magazine. It's pattern #121.
Pattern Sizing: 32-42. I made a straight 34.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it looks very similar to dark grey version on the pattern envelope. I wish I could see the back of the pattern on a model. I can see the line drawing but I want to see it on the model to see how it fits her butt. That's the only place I had some issues.
Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions from the pattern envelope were top notch and illustrated!!! They were much easier than I imagine the BWOF directions were to understand.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the bodice and the hip pleats. It's a cute pattern that needs to be worn with something underneath. I dislike the ballooning bottom section but I think it's just me and my swayback.
Fabric Used: This is a wool/blend knit from one of Ressy's coops. It's a dark eggplant with grey/white striped on it. In the pictures it looks like a heathered brown.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I did nothing to the top except for my normal 1/2" petite alteration. The back section gave me fits where it attaches to the empire band. I did several rip-out and re-attach sessions before I got it okay. I changed it from two large pleats to four smaller pleats. I'm still not perfectly happy with the back but I think that this pattern just has that as a design feature. That is why I would really like to see the model's butt. Well, the dress covering her butt, I guess.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may sew it again. I love jumpers and this one will be perfect for spring and fall. It might work for winter but I'll have to wear a slip if I want to wear tights. Otherwise we are going to have some serious creepage going on.
Conclusion: It's cute. It's certainly not a 10 because of the butt area but I give it pretty high marks.

13 comments:

Meg said...

You look great! LOL I love the fabric.

Lori said...

The jumper looks great, I like the way you pleated the front.

Kat said...

I really like that jumper but... Oh. My. Gosh! When I was working on my recent redesign of my Santa Monica Tee to the Newport News tunic I liked, I got the SAME issue in the back. I drafted the pattern for a back horizontal seam with gathers below it. It wasn't flattering from the side. I thought, "Maybe turn it into tucks?" Did that. My bum looked huge in the back then too! It was just a muslin so it didn't matter. I redrafted the pattern back for princess seams LOL.

A simple redraft of the lower portion on your jumper would really work it for your figure. It looks good! But we know your figure to be stellar and a little pattern tweaking would show it off as it was meant to be.

I was just mentioning to Keely yesterday that I appreciate people being critical of fit and style on me. Not easily offended on my end, and if something looks like shit on me or not the most flattering look, I WANT to know. Ya know...an honest opinion. Don't mind how brutal it is LOL.

Unknown said...

Super cute jumper! Look at you, tan and posing in sandals... good thing I like you!!!

Rachel said...

That looks really nice on you. I love the style.

Reethi said...

I had the same issue with this - I didn't like the back pleats at all! If I do remake it, I think I'll just eliminate it entirely. Your version looks great, btw.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous piece! I only have one thought about the back - I wonder if a swayback adjustment would've made it hang straighter back there? It seems as though we could open that bodice seam and pull some of the skirt section up and release some of that puddling? It's still beautiful as is, and way better fitting than RTW any day! I've seen so many girls with the most beautiful figures like yours needing this adjustment. Nice work!!

SherryV

Vicki said...

Well, you are right - it is not the best style for you, but it does still look good! Love the front.

cidell said...

I'm pear shaped and I ADORE mine. Yes, it's not slimming in the lower parts, but I don't think it adds either. I love yours and if you don't want it I believe we are both in the 38 range :)

Sue said...

I have recently bought this pattern so I am pleased to see your review of it. I think it is really cute, pear or not!

angie.a said...

Isn't the front bodice just the cutest though?? Yours is adorable. And I just love mine. I've worn it several times this winter, which is saying alot cause I"m cold natured and typically stick to pants in the winter!

On the back...I never could get the pleats to work on my bum. And I'm no 34 like you!! I ended up stitching the pleats permanently down (topstitching them about 1/8" away from edge). They look like topstitched darts now, but it looks MUCH better in the backend of things. Actually...I think I ended up doing the same to the front too because I wanted it to be consistent. In any case, I wear it all the time now and the back is much better! (I should take a pic, huh?)

loopylulu said...

The dress really does look great and I don't notice any wonkiness in the bum. You look great too, looks like you got some Vitamin D in Hawaii.

Anonymous said...

You look cute in that jumper. I like the fabric.