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entered by Anna's classmates:

"mr k is osoom!"
"mr k I love our discoe prdeese"
"mr k I love you"

"my mom is osoom"

McCall's 5835

Pattern Description: Tops A, C or below mid-knee dresses B, D have lined yoke with or without armhole ruffles and thread loop or button closing at back; top A, dress D have lower ruffle; dress B, top C have contrast yoke; dress B has self and contrast tiered ruffles; top C has fabric flower; dress D has purchased appliques; shorts E or above ankle capri pants F have elastic waist; all garments are narrow hemmed.

Pattern Sizing: Sizes available are Toddler sizes 1 - 4. I made a size 1.

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? Very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This was a pretty straightforward pattern and very easy and likeable. The only complaints with the pattern have to do with my personal aversion to hand sewing - you have to slipstitch the yoke facing into place. Also, I slimmed down the bodice of the dress as its REALLY wide. I know there are a lot of wide babies out there, but not this wide!

Fabric Used: I used a quilting fabric designed by Heather Bailey.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Slimmed down the bodice.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might sew it again because its very cute and worth the slipstitching. (I'm still waiting for a sewing machine that does slipstiching)

Conclusion: Great pattern, great dress, lots of handsewing and its important to slim down the bodice.

Vogue 8184

Pattern Description: Dress has fitted bodice with princess seams, back zipper, bodice self-lining with boning and skirt variations. A, B, C: 2" below knee length with slightly flared skirt.

Pattern Sizing:I sewed an 8 but cut wider for the skirt, probably a 10.

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? Very!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Despite being super easy, the end result was elegant and structured. The boning was fun and different and flatters any figure.

Fabric Used: I used a lightweight cotton from Exquisite Fabrics in DC, I believe it was a men's shirting cotton.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The only change I made was using an invisible zipper instead of a regular one.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and Yes! I already have another cotton fabric ready for this pattern again.

Conclusion: Impressive looking dress with low effort!

McCalls 6109

Pattern Description: Above, mid-knee length sleeveless dresses A, B, C with midriff and pocket variations dresses A, C have contrast pockets; dress A has contrast midriff.

Pattern Sizing: 4 - 20 available. I sewed a 6.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? It didn't because I made a lot of modifications.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This was my second time making this dress - the first time I made it, I thought that I had chosen too heavy of a knit, resulting in the weight of the skirt (lots of gathering) pulling down the top of the dress. I tried it again in a lighter weight knit and I had the same problem. So, I got rid of a lot of the gathers and made the skirt a bit more slimming. That did the trick - it no longer pulled the waistband and top south.

Fabric Used: A knit by Anna Sui that I found at Exquisite Fabrics in Georgetown DC.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: In addition to slimming down the skirt, I raised the bottom of the underarm, which was cut very low.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I loved sewing this and am super happy with the outcome. I would definitely recommend it to others. I've done it twice so I'll take a breather for now.

Conclusion: The neck is not low cut but you have to be very careful when leaning forward, the cowl neck can be very revealing at some angles. I enjoyed making this dress a lot and it is super comfy to wear. Oh, I would have made the waist band a different color to make it stand out if I were to sew it again.

Simplicity 3882

My inspirational seamstress Mimi Goodwin (myraida.blogspot.com) made this dress in 45 minutes and made it sound like a breeze. It was a good dress for a beginner like myself but it took a bit longer than 45 minutes (hu hum three hours). The back piece was too long, I had to shorten in by a few inches. Otherwise, the pattern was perfect. I used a rayon/poly blend with two way stretch that I bought from Fabric.com and made a size 8. I am making an ankle length version of this now, will update when complete.

Simplicity 5695

I've made a few of these dresses now, I love this pattern for little girls, its so easy and versatile. It is almost a guaranteed fit too because the neckline and sleeves are made of elastic. The only change I would make on this one would be to shorten the neck elastic by a few inches so it isn't so baggy. Eva is wearing an undershirt to adjust for the bagginess. It would be an easy fix though.

Butterick 4842

This was my first dress ever, made out of a lightweight red cordoroy. This dress is full of mistakes but Anna makes it look adorable. Pleats were challenging and the dress is lined, which is also not the easiest. If I were to do this one again, I would do a stretch cordoroy or try another fabric, maybe even a lightweight denim. I also hadn't invested in pinking shears yet so this dress is a thread monster.