Pattern Review: BWOF 11-2007-107B

This dress was supposed to be for an office holiday party, but I didn't finish it in time. Then, I thought I would finish it for New Year's, but that didn't happen either. I did manage to finish in time for my Birthday!

Pattern Description: From the Burda Web site: You've got a formal invitation? We've got the right dress for you, with costly brocade fabric shimmering in metallic shades and the hemline fluttering flatter-ingly about the knees.

Pattern Sizing: Burda sizes 36-44. I made a 38.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Um, well, hit and miss. This is BWOF after all... I didn't really use them, until I got to the side-seam pockets. Not that pockets are difficult, but I needed a little refresher. And let's just say that I ended up not putting the pockets in the dress. But, that was mostly because I was rushed for time and generally being a little lazy.

I ended up doing a lot of hand-sewing in this garment. I whip stitched all the way around the bottom of the facing at the neckline, pick-stitched the facing (instead of stitching-in-the-ditch with my machine), and hand-sewed the hem. The fact that I underlined with silk organza made all of this very easy and invisible to the front of the dress. I'm happy with the result -- the hand sewing was fun and relaxing to do.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that this dress was cute and simple enough to showcase the brocade fabric I found. Not to mention the fact that I started this dress only a few days before the office holiday party with the intention of wearing it to the party. Even though that didn't exactly happen, in theory, the dress was simple enough to be done for that event. One dislike is the facings instead of a self-lined bodice. If I were to make this dress again, I would line the bodice and eliminate the facings. I'm not entirely sure why I didn't do this in the first place -- I think it had something to do with the fact I was in a hurry!

Fabric Used: 100% silk brocade in dark chocolate brown. It has a swirling/paisley design all over it in a similar tone to the rest of the fabric. I also underlined the dress with silk organza.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Almost none, except for the elimination of the side-seam pockets at the last minute.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably won't sew it again, as this dress is going to languish in the back of my closet unworn until next holiday season. But, I would definitetly recommend the pattern to others.

Conclusion: Cute pattern! I plan to wear it with brown tights, brown shoes, a blue cardigan sweater, and gold jewlery for a cute, slightly dressed up look. Great for office parties and the like.