And I should have known better too, because my latest dress is one I've made twice before a long time ago and didn't like how it turned out. In fact the only time I liked how these two dresses looked was when I was pregnant - since I'm not pregnant anymore that should have been a major hint to me. I made New Look 6429 which is a faux wrap dress with a full skirt:
and I used a green and blue floral knit that I purchased only a few short months ago to make this:
I chose this dress because I knew it would be functional as a nursing friendly dress. To make sure the neckline would stretch far enough to pull it down for access I sewed some clear elastic around the neckline instead of iron on stabiliser which is what I usually do for knits. Doing this also had the added advantage of hugging the neckline in to my chest so that nothing untoward is on display.
Loads of people have positively reviewed this pattern (which now seems to be OOP), but I just find it rather frumpy on me. Perhaps it's because I raised the neckline, or it's just because I like structured dresses in woven fabrics that feel like they are holding me in, but this is the main issue I have with this dress:
The side profile is horrible! Those gathers across the stomach area under the bust that other ladies who have made this dress seem to love just look poufy on me making my mummy tummy look worse than it is. It looks ok from the back though, with the skirt falling in nice ripples:
It is simple and easy to make, and took hardly any time at all which are not good reasons to make something but at least are a consolation prize when things don't turn out as well as you want. But since this dress works and is functional, and I always seem to have a baby hanging off my hip which distracts from how the dress looks on me anyway I've still worn this a few times in the last week. So it's not a complete failure I guess!
I know when you don't feel good in something it doesn't matter what anyone else says, but I just wanted to say I think you look lovely in this! Really fresh and relaxed, and not frumpy at all.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. Enjoy parenting it goes in the blink of an eye!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely, and the side profile looks a bit loose (maybe this makes it nursing friendly). Try it with a belt like on the pattern envelope? Love your blog
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress. The colour is lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely on you, the colour is flattering and the back and front views just right. It would also look great with a lower neckline. As for the side view, it isn't as pretty as the other two, but how many people are going to see you from that low angle anyway? I bet if you photographed the side view from head height or slightly above, which is the angle most people will see, it would be much more flattering.
ReplyDeleteI also think that this dress looks really lovely. Maybe you generally prefer different type of dresses and that's why you are so critical. Or maybe it's the color, or the print? I think it suits you very well
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the first photo, I thought that it looked really nice, but it's true that it looks strange from the side! The fabric is really nice though and it must be extremely comfortable..
ReplyDeletethat side vieuw is just too bad, since the rest of the dress is so pretty and looks very good on you! Maybe there is a way you can take in the gathering a bit to make it better?
ReplyDeleteI can't see anything wrong with this dress at all. It is well sewn and I like the colour and fit. I think we home sewers/designers are way too critical of what we make sometimes. I know I am much more forgiving of clothes that I buy.
ReplyDeleteHave to say I am not seeing the negative side view......in fact my first thought on seeing that picture was what a flat tum for a new mum! And the color is great. As someone says above I wonder if it is the low angle of the side photo (toddler eye view?) that is distorting it?
ReplyDeleteCecilia
I think this is a pattern that needs to be really snug to be flattering. It's too big on you through the ribcage. The back looks fine, so perhaps you could take only the front in a few inches. Otherwise, I think the skirt is soft and floaty and the color looks great with your skin.
ReplyDeleteOh I agree with Amanda it just needs to be a bit tighter around the ribcage. Otherwise I think it looks great; actually to tell the truth I immediately thought wow Kristy has lost all baby weight - so there you go. And I think that blue/green colour scheme looks fantastic on you. I love your new banner too. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteOh you know what else .. just having another look... I don't think those maternity bras do anyone a favour (except when you need the milk bar).
ReplyDeleteI think the color is very pretty on you.
ReplyDeleteI agree the waist looks a bit too big. I also think if you hem the dress to just above the knee it wont look so dowdy.
ReplyDeleteI think you are being a little too critical of yourself! The dress is fine, and you look nice in it.
ReplyDeleteI think that a little tweaking (take it is a bit and take the hem up about 1.5 inches) would make you feel differently. BTW - it is not a bad looking dress on you. I made this dress several years ago an thought it kind of blah on me. Oddly enough, everytime I wear it much younger men compliment me in it. Not sure what that means, but I kept the dress!
ReplyDeleteKristen
Yup, I see what you mean about the side view but like some of the others have said, maybe it just needs to be taken in a bit? Front and back look great!
ReplyDeleteOkay, so am I the only one that noticed the flower bullseye on your right to me - probably left to you breast? Jumped out at me way more than your Mommy Tummy - cute name btw! And I know what you mean about knit dresses...I have a few but I prefer woven ones.
ReplyDeleteI think the skirt is too long for you, if you shorten it to just above the knee it might feel more youthful. A more casual shoe could help too.
ReplyDeleteI really like this dress on you.
We're our own worst critics! I think the dress looks great on you & not at all frumpy. It's a great color on you, too.
ReplyDeleteThis dress is too pretty not to get some good wear out of it.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a light jacket or cardi to wear with it, the side view (which isn't bad) would be covered to make you feel comfortable.
The print and colour are stunning on you, BTW
maybe a belt will solve your problem?
ReplyDeleteI agree the the hem is a tiny bit longer than what is needed.
O.K. so all I can say is "DITTO TO EVERYONE ELSE'S COMMENTS".
ReplyDeleteCan't say much of anything else... except put my vote in for
it looks great!
Hang in there mom... you look fantastic!
Jean C.
Oops.... forgot to say... I like the new blog banner too! Cute!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks faboo. Also, you're likely to be holding a kid most of the time and babies make great camouflage. At least this is what I tell myself and I thank everyone not to remove me from my delusions.
ReplyDeleteBut really, the dress turned out great and I love it. However, I'd done something recently with a wrap knit dress and I hate the damned thing so much that I refuse to wear it even with spanx despite everyone telling me how great it is. So I feel your pain.
it look lovely and comfy and the mummy tummy gets smaller as time goes on (at least mine did) :-)
ReplyDeleteI like your dress, and hey, there is always Spanx if you are unhappy with your tummy!
ReplyDeleteI like your dress and as someone else suggested I think it's just a bit loose across your middle is all. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marina, it's probably a matter of taste and style. From the front and back it looks very nice. I have the same issue as you with extra volume around the tummy area. It makes you look like you have more volume than you actually do. Since you are very slim at the waist you are probably not used to see yourself with all that extra volume (especially after your son is born). I am pretty sure that if you removed the extra fabric at the tummy you would like this dress. I also agree that we need to follow our instincts and go with what we like most
ReplyDeleteIt's not a bad dress. Just add a thin belt, some heels or even wedge heels, and maybe a necklace or a cropped jacket. That should balance everything out! Or for a more casual look, wear it with some cute sandals. It will definitely look less frumpy if you try one of these. : )
ReplyDeleteI think the side view looks really good - the gathers actually hide any tummy - at least they do in this picture because I can't see any tum at all! Love the dress and it looks comfortable. Gotta remember that clothes often look better when we are moving about in them, not in a static photo, but I think not frumpy at all,and has a beautiful shape.
ReplyDeleteHey! I usually am quite the lurker/not commenter because I use google reader on my phone to read blogs...but I've been following your blog for a very long time! Also, I just nominated you for The Versatile Blogger award! Here is the original link:
ReplyDeletehttp://amityoriginals.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-award.html
Hi Kristy, imagine my surprise when I was blog hopping to http://allisoncsewinggallery.blogspot.com/2008/04/summer-sewing-begins-new-look-6429.html
ReplyDeletelook at the dress she was sewing up.... yep... in 2008!
Jean
djcogdill@q.com
Alas, this pattern didn't work for me either, just all around too big. New Looks seem to be cut large (at least in the past, I haven't found that with more recent patterns). The color is great on you and the rear view is really nice.
ReplyDeleteI have this pattern too and I'm fairly confident that I will have the same problem (I seem to have it with a lot of patterns) ........ dang it! I tend to agree with taking it in a bit at the sides for a quick fix because it does look nice front and back.
ReplyDeleteHi! I love your blog! You may solve your discomfort by adding a belt and sandals - your dress is lovely! xoxo, Carina
ReplyDeleteHey, I like your re-tooling of your blog theme! Very nice and family. Nursing friendly, but not showing off the mummy tummy (funny): we have the same issues. It's true, you have a nice functional dress, lovely with your colouring, and a baby on the hips hides mummy tummy perfectly. I have this pattern and everyone else raved about it, I stopped due to the FBA challenge of making two accurate ones on different pattern pieces. It's on the ice indefinitely...
ReplyDelete