Sunday, November 19, 2017

Cashmerette's Rivermont Dress


Let me state up front that I was a tester for the Rivermont Dress pattern. Because I've had such great success testing Jenny's patterns, I used a beautiful piece of border print ponte for my test version. 


So of course, it didn't work for me. Now if this hadn't been a test garment I would have immediately gone to work fixing it to make it work...because it's made from my good border print ponte. But it was a test dress so I had to wait for the revised pattern.

When I made my first one it was the middle of summer and I could see wearing this dress into fall...still in my dress wearing calendar.  However, when I started working on my revised version, it was early November. Of course that meant my idea for how I wanted to wear this dress changed. I've been wanting some fall maxidresses and when I looked at the dress with new eyes, I realized it would make a great fall maxi.


Fabric Choice ~
The pattern suggests you use a ponte knit to make the dress. I used a dark floral Liverpool knit from LA Finch Fabrics for my version. The Liverpool is a stable knit and similar to a lightweight ponte.


Construction Information ~
1. I cut a straight size 24 for the bodice and the waistline for the dress. 

2. But I cut a 26 from the pocket area to the floor for the skirt of the dress. 

3. I also raised the neckline 1/2" because I liked the neckline that was on the original dress. I made sure that I changed the facing piece also.

4. Then I added 15" to lengthen/shorten line on the pattern and 2" to the hemline to maximize the skirt.

5. I used a 1/2" hem on the bottom of the dress. I wanted the maxi dress to hit at my ankles and not drag the ground. 

6. My sleeves are cut 3/4 length instead of full length, just because.

A few pictures of the dress ~



This is how I plan on wearing the maxi - with my RTW Jean Jacket



Conclusion ~
I will wear this dress but I don't love this dress.  And it's totally me...I still have a thing about waistline seams and it's so ingrained into my style psyche that if I don't love it when I put it on...it gets relegated to the back of the closet.

Now this says nothing about Jenny's pattern. All of the pattern pieces go together well. It's an easy sew and has a lot of potential for the right curvy, plus-size woman. I'm just not sure I'm that curvy woman. If this is your style, I highly recommend you purchase this pattern.

One more thing, like I said earlier, I was a tester of this pattern so received it for free.  However all of the opinions are mine.


...as always more later!


  

18 comments:

  1. I have a thing about waistline seams too, they just don't suit me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The dress really looks nice on you. The back is perfect a d I love how it looks made into a maxi. Very nice looking.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love it Carolyn and it looks great on you. Very slenderizing and waist defining the way you styled it. You said "I'm just not sure I'm that curvy woman". Yes you are my sister. Take an objective look at the last couple of photos you posted. In this instance, seeing is believing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Robin - At this point, my daughter and I can photograph anything to look good...to me it's in the wearing now. If I'm not comfortable when I wear it...it's a no go! I keep thinking that if this dress had a fuller skirt it would be PERFECT!

      Delete
    2. I totally agree. I love the shape of this dress on you. Sometimes it's good to expand our minds to accept things we initially want to reject. Our eyes and minds get used to seeing things a certain way, though. Maybe in time this silhouette will feel right for you.

      Delete
  4. The dress looks phenomenal on you. Seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  5. When I saw you in this dress I thought you had lost another bunch of lbs! Seriously it makes you look much slimmer, very flattering on you. Those Cashmerette designers really know how to do it. Don't put this dress in the back of the closet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connie - honestly I've already promised the dress to another blogger...just gotta mail it to her. Though I do agree with you that the Cashmerette line is amazing and worth every penny paid for it!

      Delete
  6. I love this fabric! I think your dress looks good; like it with the denim jacket!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm sorry you weren't comfortable in the dress because you look fantastic in it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree that the dress looks really nice on you but I also understand that it has to feel comfortable and effortless to wear. I always believe the best clothes are ones that you are not aware of once on. I too am not overly keen on waisted dresses and had looked at the pattern and wondered so thank you for your honesty. I do enjoy your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know you don't love it, but it looks absolutely fabulous on you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I get what you say about waistline seams. The dress however looks very nice. I wonder if you removed the tie in the back bowed belt and just used a plain belt or even one made of self fabric it might suit you better. I'm not a fan of belts that tie in the back so maybe it's just me.....

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lose the belt - the silhouette is great on you, and I love it with the jean jacket.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very nice dress on you! Too bad it’s not comfortable to wear. When I “maxi” a dress, I extend the side seams to the length I want instead of using the lengthen/shorten lines. This seems to give me a better fit around the ankles! Or, i’ll put in a long kick pleat for more walking ease. Glad to see your dress has already found a new home!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This dress looks lovely on you! I like how you will wear it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This dress compliments your figure very well.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This dress suits you well and complements your figure. In this you are definitely curvy, in a good way, and the defined waist is wonderful. Beautiful print, great fit!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It is so appreciated!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails