Lolita Pattern Review: McCall 5094
I have stolen Patternreview.com's format, as it is a good one. Mine is a little more Lolita-specific, I hope!
Pictures of front close-up:
Back:
And sleeve trim detail:
Pattern Description: Fitted midriff, knee-length sundress with lined bodice. I used view D.
Pattern Sizing: 4-10, 12-18. For reference, I am 5'3" with a 25" waist, and I cut a 10. Small sizes = WIN.
Were the instructions easy to follow? They were excellent to follow. It was the first time I had ever lined a garment, and it was explained in enough detail for even me to get it right straight away.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the clean simple design - perfect for Classic, and the sleeves are similar to one of my favourite ever MM dresses. Oh, and the yardage is minimal (2.5 yards) compared to the 1950s fabric-eaters I am used to!
Fabric Used: Lilac with white polkadot cotton, lined with yellow cotton, and eyelet lace and rayon daisy lace trims.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I had to trim about 2 inches off at the back to eliminate gapage, but as far as Mccall patterns go, this one wasn't as HUEG as usual. Next time, I am going to line the skirt as well as just the bodice, but since I have a petticoat made of the same yellow fabric as the lining, it wasn't necessary this time around.
Lolita modifications: Shortened the skirt (to the length on view F minus the contrast hem), then added a large bottom ruffle that was the length of the contrast hem given in view F, and 3 x hem width. Added ruffled eyelet lace to the sleeves, apron style, and above the hem ruffle. I added rayon daisy lace above the eyelet, and to the top and bottom of the midriff band as in view E. I also added bows to the bottom of the straps both front and back (mostly to cover my pencil marks that didn't come off XD), and added waist ties right at the end to cover up a couple of flaws in the fabric at the back that I only noticed at the last minute!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. Yes. Yes. This is one of my favourite patterns already! This version was a trial run - albiet a very detailed, wearable one, and I am going to make it in black velveteen (with minimal trimming), and in red velveteen with cream tulle lace and red velvet ribbon trimming. Unfortunately it is summer now, so I may wait until it gets a bit cooler so that I can actually wear them once I've made them.
Conclusion: I freakin' love this pattern so much. It is easy, but looks great. I would really recommend this to a beginner looking to build their sewing confidence - it goes together so easily (just make sure you check the straps for fit BEFORE you attach them permanently!) and the finished result looks gorgeous and much more complex than it really is. Even my male flatmates were impressed! (then told me to add moar bows - Lolita is getting to them, mwahahahaha). It is such a vesatile design that would look cute dripping with lace and bows, or simple and minimal in a rich fabric (I'm thinking of making one in silk too...), and for a more sweet silhouette a cupcake shaped skirt gathered into the waistband would contrast well with the sleek bodice. And it doesn't eat up yardage, so you can use all kinds of delicious (expensive!) fabrics. LOVE IT!
Hope that was the slightest bit helpful for any of you who are looking for loliable commercial patterns. I promise a post of me wearing it on d_l in the near future :)