Style ARC Ashley dress pattern review

Pattern Description: 

ASHLEY DRESS: This dress can be made with a ruched designer skirt or, if you prefer a plain pencil skirt. The new interesting sleeve treatment gives the dress style and comfort. Gathers from the neckband and the front side seams allow a gentle shape over the bust. If you choose to use the ruched skirt you will find it very flattering whilst hiding any lumps & bumps. This new length dress can be made fully lined or unlined, the choice is yours.

Based on size 10 pattern measurements:

Bust: 95cm or 37 1/5"

Waist: 76cm or 30"

Hip: 99cm or 38 1/2"

Centre back length: 98cm or 38"

Hem circ: 94cm or 37"

FABRIC SUGGESTION & DESCRIPTION: Stretch silk, stretch crepe or a suitable knit.

Pattern Sizing:

I made the 12

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

Yes, even if I didnt use the recommended fabric

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I didnt understand the split at the back, but am working on my interpretation skills and am sure next time I will. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

The rushing, the VB reference, the seaming, the ruching. everything!

Fabric Used:

A missoni type of poly knit that I bought at the markets in Holland for steal. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Change the fabric, left out the zipper, lengthen the skirt, omit the back vent. I also needed to take out a lot of width on the skirt with my change in fabric. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes I will, in a stretch crepe from my stash that already has this patterns name on it. I just need to figure out the vent thing 

Conclusion: 

Another fab dress form Style Arc. This dress is very flattering on, and can be made with or without the ruched skirt for a simpler version. 

Style ARC Marita pattern review

Pattern Description: 
This easy fit stylish cowl dress with interesting twist effect at the waist has a high back collar that hugs the neck and falls into a soft cowl at the front. The twist pleat at the waist makes this dress a fashion garment.
Centre back length 100cm / 39”

Pattern Sizing:
I made the 12

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?
This dress looks like hard work but it is not. Instructions were very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The drape, And the 1 hour sew promise.

Fabric Used:
Acrylic knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I sure will.

Conclusion: 
This is the dress to make when pressured into sewing for other as it it requires very little effort and looks impressive.

Style Arc Georgia Peplum Top

I hardly ever make tops and had been hunting for fabric and the perfect pattern to make a peplum for AGES. Style Arc's version did not have many reviews of it floating around but I trusted int heir great fit and went for it. 
   

After receiving the pattern I still didn't have the right fabric but this came pretty soon when? I happened to pass through Surry Hills and suddenly found myself in the Fabric Store.  A silk remnant 'just'  long enough to make the top with short sleeves was the perfect match and I made the top the very same day. 

Most work went into laying out the fabric on the small amount I had and making the most of the tassle border print. I'm glad I did because my first layout would have me put the seaming right through the knots right at the front.   

I have worn the top a few times now - making it a complete Style Arc ensemble with the April Pant. I haven't reviewed them and the pictures of the pants aren't great, but I recommend this pant also. Easy to put together, and the paneling is very flattering on pear shapes. I made mine using a combination of Ponte 'n Pleather.  rock 'n roll. 

Showing off the Jetson- effect!

Back exposed separating zipper. Maybe I need to take some excess fabric out of the back?


Pattern Description: 
Our peplum top is stylised with interesting dart detail which allows it to be more figure flattering. Make it with or without sleeves. 

Pattern Sizing:
I made the 12

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?
They were fine. I didn't really use them ;-)

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I was on the hunt for a peplum pattern and the stylearc version won from the very popular vogue peplum based on Style Arcs reputation of making great fitting patterns. And for the interesting darts. Shame these darts disappeared in the print, but I looove the fit.

Fabric Used:
A silk remnant from the fabric store in surry hills. A bargain and with a great border detail that was a complete surprise to me when I unwrapped the folded fabric.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I used French seams and omitted the centre front seam. I also used an exposed and separating zipper in the back.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Absolutely! More in print and definitely one in a plain fabric. And I may even amend this to be a dress!

Conclusion: 
Highly recommend this top

JESSICA - Style Arc

JESSICA - Style Arc

I have worn this dress sooo much over Summer and am looking forward to warmer weather so I can wear this one again, and others that I am planning to make. Fun, easy and oh so stylish.

Love the twist / knot detail at the front. And the drape underneath.

Also the back is a fantastic fit - without the need for a swayback adjustment. Not even on the Red Vixen!

Pattern Description: 
Great easy to wear pull on knit jersey dress with up to the minute twist front feature that is flattering and eye catching.
This dress can be worn to the office then add a piece of your favourite jewelry then you're ready to party!

Pattern Sizing:
Spot on!

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Sure did. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I had to redo and reread the bit about the gathering to get the waist twist right, but in the end it wasn't that hard and just a result of me wanting to get it done to quickly. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The twist and the drape!

Fabric Used:
Some printed jersey that was on sale at the fabric store in surry hills. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None needed!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Oh yes!

Conclusion: 
Easy and quick so highly recommended

V1338 Anne Klein Dress

V1338 AKA ORIGAMI DRESS

After seeing Up Sew Lates fantastic black version and read her review, I knew I needed to make this dress for the upcoming Oz winter. I love the simple lines and the fold over 'origami'  effect of the dress. It took me an afternoon, using fabric form my stash (yeah!) that was purchased at the end of winter sale last year (yeah!) at the Fabric Store in Surry Hills.

Pattern Description:
Dress has loose-fitting bodice (overlapped neckline) cut-in-one with longer than regular length, elasticized sleeves, fitted skirt, invisible side zipper, and optional thread loops. Dress is cut on crosswise grain. Note: no provisions provided for above waist adjustment. Purchased belt.

I call it my 'origami dress'

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did. Apart from me not requiring/adding a belt.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Getting the piece cut out was a challenge due to its size. I folded the piece in half and after cutting I marked the different marks on the left and right side of the collar. Then it took me ages to find out how the fold was supposed to go. Not sure if that is because of me or because of the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The interesting origami fold over neckline and the fact this was an easy to make and wear long sleeved dress for winter that is suited to pear shapes.

Fabric Used:
Merino jersey

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made
No zip and no elastic in the waist. Not needed and just a waste of time and money! Also, as per my usual changes, I made the dress 2 sizes smaller then what I should according to the size chart and made it in my regular RTW dress size without needing any other alterations. Maybe I added a bit of length but I dont remember.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Probably. Maybe a lighter weight jersey or a print!

Conclusion:
Great easy and pretty quick dress to put together. Especially if you omit the zip and elastic waist casing.

Style Arc Sandra jeans

I made myself these awesome Sandra Jeans by Style Arc and I could not be prouder. So here they are, in my very first blog post!

The fabric is an old piece of black jean fabric I have had lying around since for-evar that was a gift form a friend that had purchased it for another purpose then making jeans, but never used. Anyway, I never used it before because of my fear of sewing anything with zipper or requiring fitting. I have now faced my fears and learned to deal with it and am pretty proud of the results!

I pre-washed the fabric as one of my major issues with of the rack jeans is that the length is never long enough and I wanted to avoid shrinkage after washing. This meant that the jeans expanded a bit whilst wearing and I have taken them in a bit by putting them on inside out, and pinning along my legs. Took more then 2cm on each leg out, making these jeans a bit skinnier then the pattern intended me thinks.

I used Sandra Betzina's method to create the zip fly and I have to admit that I couldnt have overcome my fear without seeing this video. Thank you Sandra for showing me and no doubt plenty of others the way.

I buried the zip ends into the waistband, hoping that is the correct way to do it. Its looks fine, that's for sure.

I didn't embellish the pockets, but will do so for my next pair of jeans, blue this time. I have some embroidery thread that I picked up when I bought my cutting table on Gumtree and my machine has some lovely embroidery settings that I have never used.

I  used a hook and eye device for the closure. Not sure how I'd manage a jeans press stud and a normal button definitely didn't seem right. Tips are welcome here!