Tuesday, October 22, 2013

KS 3408 - Wrap Dress Dud

You guys know I’m a wrap dress addict. Or, if you don’t, you haven’t been reading my blog long enough. I saw this KwikSew pattern on sale at my favorite sewing store and thought I would buy it. I really like the older KwikSew patterns (not the tissue paper ones that are all crafty from the present time). I think it’s an okay pattern with good lines (good-ish, there were bust issues) but I don’t like this fabric with it. At first, I was all like, “Oh, THIS will be an awesome dress. Border print with a wrap dress! Sqqqquuuueeeeeeeeeeee.” Even as I was cutting and assembling, I was sqqquuueeeee-like. When I put the sleeves in and looked at it as a unit, I was like sqqquuuuueeeeeeeeeeeee-NOT.

There are 13 positive reviews on PatternReview.com so maybe it’s just me.

Why do I dislike it so much? I’m not sure. The sleeves are too loose. I could make them tighter. I like the slightly flared skirt. Mostly. The bodice fits okay but not great. I used a small which is my usual size in KwikSew. It’s not hemmed.
ks_3408_1

 

The back of the bodice fits great. I think I have the right size. The more I worked with the fabric, the more I disliked the yellow and green on it.
ks_3408_2

 

Here are the bust wrinkles. Maybe I had the ties pulled too tight so it pulled the entire bodice over? I really don’t like how the paisley fabric met in the middle and made me paisley-boob-woman. I really don’t like the sleeves.
ks_3408_4

 

This is sort of my overall feeling about it. I’m not loving the fabric and/or the pattern. Look! Boob-paisley-woman!
ks_3408_3

 

I have another dress that is an almost-dud. I think I need to work some issues out with it. I’ll post about that tomorrow or the next day. I’ve been a busy monkey with work stuff, legal stuff, and home stuff.

17 comments:

sandy said...

I don't think it's that bad. I like the fabric and I like the style of the dress on you. I think the problem is with how much the fabric pattern is broken up. Even the "paisley boob" bit isn't so bad, I like the solid black at the top of the bodice and the patterned sleeves look good. If the skirt only had the border along the bottom and the rest was solid black it might read better.

Christiana said...

Overall, I think it's cute. I'd remove tie belt and go for one with a buckle and I'd also make it sleeveless or shorten the sleeves to a small cap sleeves.
Christiana
sewamusing.blogspot.com

Ingrid said...

Hi Dawn, I didn't think 'paisley boobs' when I saw it. Maybe change the slees a little if you don't like it but otherwise it's quite a lovely dress. I had the same experience recently and then wore the dress to work. I got so many compliments I wear once a week now.

inkstain said...

It's not that bad, but the fabric choice is maybe just one notch too far in the Mexican tablecloth direction for winter, and would look better in summer with a bit of a tan. I agree about the sleeves, but they would look cute rolled up 'muscle style' or tightened. Maybe try a safari tab to pull the upper side to the shoulder with a loop and button?

Debbie Cook said...

I like it, but I also understand when something looks better in the pics than how you feel about it. But maybe it can "age" in the magic wardrobe before you toss it? I'm amazed by the magic it produces sometimes. :-) Legal stuff? Ooo boy. :-( Good luck with all of that.

kathyh said...

Magic closet.
I liked it from the pics.

Rena said...

I think it's the print! I love it from the back though and I love the print:)

Sofie M said...

I think the sleeves are too long and maybe the shoulders are a bit too wide. Otherwise I like it. I didn't see "paisley boob woman" either. Actually I love that fabric.

Cocos Loft said...

You are so funny! and I admit, I'm flustered by border prints. They look so pretty on the bolt, but I just don't know what to do with them. At least you tried! and the fabric is really pretty taken on its own.

Jewels said...

I think the fabric is pretty but I see your point.
I would take the top off and make a wrap skirt, it would look great with some boots.

byyzantinegrl said...

The fabric is very pretty - perhaps it's just too much print?? Would/could you consider a solid black obi sash and solid black sleeves? The fit is very flattering. BTW, congrats on the pattern review win - you were my vote because you deserved it!

Jessica Marks said...

I think the dress looks great on you, and if I didn't know I was on a sewing blog would have thought it was store bought. Maybe you are used to better than store bought by now :)

Becky said...

I think this dress is pretty, and it looks good on you with your coloring. I think it needs a solid black sash to break up the pattern on the front. I don't see paisley boob at all, but the patterned sash confuses the print for me. Make the sleeves tighter. They look fine, but if they bother you, you'll never like them. A jet necklace with a drop would move the eye up to your lovely face. I don't see you wear too many things that are this loose in the skirt, so is that what's bothering you? Stop looking at it for a while. If you still decide you don't like it, make it into a top with a flouce, wear it with a pencil skirt. It's too pretty on you to turn it into a wadder without time and thought. I know, way more advice than you asked for!

Janice McCombs said...

I like it. Granted, it is not at all like what you usually wear but I think if you changed the self-sash for a good-looking black belt you could really kick it up a notch. As for the fitting issues, you are much too critical. Who would notice any of those but you?

Karen Ishihara said...

It's not at all bad, but I totally agree- ditch the sash. The rest is not bad, the fit is flattering.

AmyLou said...

Ditch the sash and exchange it for a black sash or belt, and I think you have a winner!

Lesia Lesia said...

Seems like it is small in chest that's why u have wrinkles in front. Or maybe you have tightened it too much. I would recommend to make sleeves shorter and without print as possible.