Pattern Review - Burda 3477 Dress

Pattern Description: From the Burda website, "Close-fitting dress in two lengths, with generous neckline. The section seams narrow slightly towards the hem which has small hem slits, either at the end of the section seams or in the back centre seam." I made View B, the longer of the two versions.

Sizing: 36 to 46. I made a Size 40

Did it look like the photo or drawing when you got through? Yes, though the photo I took doesn't show the details (black dresses, don't you know)

How were the instructions? I didn't use them. This is a pretty straightforward princess seam dress. If you have made one in the past, this will go together very quickly.

Fabric Used: Italian Modal Doubleknit from Gorgeous Fabrics. I also used a new interfacing, Pro Sheer Interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply. I can't say enough good things about this interfacing. It's my new fave-rave. If you don't have some, get it! NAYY, but this is great stuff.

Construction Notes: I didn't line the dress.  Because of this, I finished all seam allowances with my serger:


I used facings (from the pattern for the neckline, self-drafted for the armholes) to finish the edges. Because the original pattern has the neckline facings attached to, and therefore held in place by, the lining, I needed to tack the neckline facings to the dress.
You could get around this by topstitching the neckline about 5/8" from the edge, but I didn't like that look. Besides, this keeps them in place more neatly.

I used an invisible zipper on my dress. Here are a couple of construction tips for you when inserting invisible zippers. First, fuse a length of lightweight interfacing (see above) cut the length of the zipper opening by 5/8" to both seam allowances for your zipper. I place the interfacing so that it extends into the garment about 1/8" beyond the seamline. Since it's lightweight, that won't affect your garment, but it will stabilize the zipper and give you a smooth finish.

Next, I use a contrast thread and baste right at the seam on each side of the center back:
This takes all the guesswork out of placement of the zipper, so I get a perfect application. Just lay the teeth of the zipper right along the basting. I then hand baste the zipper in place using a long running stitch. Stitch the zipper in place with an invisible zipper foot, remove all basting (and don't whine to me about the amount of basting - it's worth it) and ta daa! A perfect invisible zip. No muss, no fuss, no ripping and resewing.

For the best tutorial on invisible zips, check out Els' Post at The Sewing Divas.

Likes/Dislikes: This is a classic LBD, which I desperately needed. I only had a cotton piqué one, which was coming up on 10 years old and showing every bit of it. This pattern is extremely well drafted. It's a princess line, so it's easy to fit. It's classic, it is comfortable, and it's an all-around great dress!

Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? Yes and yes!

Conclusion: Get it. Make it. Wear it. Love it!

Here's a picture on Shelley. Note that she is a RTW 6 Wolf dress form. I'm not. It fits me much better. It also sits lower on the neckline (but not too low) than what you see here. I'll try to get DH to take a picture of me in it this weekend. I'll also try to get it taken in better light and play with the contrast so you can see more detail.

Happy sewing!