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Sewing For Adults
Women's Patterns
Diving Into Dolmans Week 2: Create Kids Couture Donna's Dolman
8:00 AMI'm so excited to be bringing you another edition of Diving Into Dolmans!
This week I've got my co-hosts and 2 guest bloggers! They've got some awesome Dolmans to share with you too, so be sure to go check them out. AND some even have coupon codes for you, but I won't spoil the surprise. ;) And of course, if you missed last week, go check out my post here and then click through for the other reviews too!
Diving Into Dolmans Week 1- Sew Much Ado Seafarer
So today for you I've got the Create Kids Couture Donna's Womens Knit Dolman. Now I have to admit, there isn't a lot you can do with a dolman to make it unique, but CKC definitely put their own spin on it. Let me share the details first and then we'll get down to my take on this pattern.
Sizes
| XS-XL, (bust 32-44) |
Printable pattern pages/copy shop version
| 28 for all views. |
Skill Level
| Beginner to advanced beginner for v-back |
Measurements for Rectangle Pieces
| Yes (neck, arm and hem bands) |
Line Drawings
| No |
Size made
| Size small. Removed 1/2" length from high bust and 1" from waist. Used Fabric with 75% stretch |
Options chosen
| Regular neck, turned under neck and sleeves, banded hem and v-back |
Fabric Requirement for your size
| 1 3/4 Yards |
Measurement Chart
| Includes Bust and Hips. |
Cutting Instructions
| Yes |
Pattern Printing Layout
| No |
Cutting Layout
| No |
Suggested Fabrics
| Says to size down for knit with 75% or greater stretch |
Layer Printing Option
| No |
Neck Line Options
| Regular, Wide, banded or hemmed |
Sleeve Options
| Short, 3/4 and long |
Hem Options
| Banded or Straight Hemmed |
Color Blocking
| V-neck, wide OR narrow |
Seam Allowance
| 3/8" |
Hem Allowance
| 1" |
Separate add-on pack
| No |
Fit
| Very Loose |
Easy to read instructions
| Yes |
Drawing or photograph instructions
| Photographs |
Ok, so I can't get started without saying how amazingly sexy this lace back looks! So much LOVE. Alright, now that I got that out of the way, on to the actual review.
At first as I was looking at the pattern, I had a hard time figuring out which pieces went with which. So just keep in mind there are 2 different v-back cut outs, wide and narrow. if you are doing the v-back, you will have to cut out a separate back or front pattern piece for that.
I did not follow the pattern exactly. The hem band that comes with the pattern is intended to be looser fit and thinner. I know that I like a nice thick band that hugs my hips, so I went with the measurements for the band from another pattern.
I am not 100% happy with this pattern on my body shape. That isn't the patterns fault. It is a mismatch of a couple of features, but all things that could be easily fixed. That isn't going to stop me from wearing it though. It falls into my "good enough" pile and that says something since i just purged a bunch of clothes that were absolutely NOT good enough.
#1- lower the neckline. No matter how many times I sew up a pattern, I'm always playing with the neckline. The less fabric between your bust and your neck, the smaller your bust will look. I'm not trying to flash anyone, I just need a lower, scooped neckline than this one.
#2- Shorten the sleeves. Ending your sleeves at or immediately below your bust will make your bust look bigger/wider. I don't need my shoulders or my bust to look bigger or wider. If I shorten the sleeves, the overall look will be so much better for my inverted triangle body shape. There is a fairly good chance that this has more to do with my own stature than the pattern drafting. I normally wear only full length long sleeves or itty bitty cap sleeves. Since I'm 5'1", I probably should shorten some of the longer sleeves but I don't because I'm lazy.
To my knowledge, NONE of the other patterns have this fun v cut out. And I LOVE it. You can be sure I'll be using this cut out again. Maybe not on another dolman (after this series, I'll be all dolman'ed out), but definitely on another top. That alone makes the pattern worth the investment. CKC has put the Donna Dolman in ALL SIZES on sale for 30% off. Be sure to grab your copy!
Sewing By Ti- Create Kids Couture Donna's Dolman
Creative Counselor- Blue Dot Patterns Georgia
Sew Sophie Lynn- EYMM Kymy's Dolman
Made By Melli- Love Notions La Bella Donna
Guest bloggers: Rebel and Malice- Kzjo Poppy
Adventures with Bubba and Bug- Little Kiwi's Closet Take Flight Dolman
3 comments
I love the fabric you chose for this top. I used ITY knit and it had such lovely drape!
ReplyDeleteITY would have amazing drape. My fabric is cotton/lycra from Purple Seamstress. I'm such a fan of the wearing ease of cotton/lycra.
DeleteThat back is so fun. That would even be great to play with the front detail for the saucier sewistas. That print is so fun and wild.
ReplyDelete