I’m looking for some feedback on the Hot Patterns group of patterns. They are now being sold through the McCalls and Butterick websites, and also by Hancock Fabrics. I’m lusting after the HP108 Geisha Girl jacket – here’s a link to it: http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/HP108.htm
View Image And the picture for HP 108
I like the collar line and the EZ sew aspect, but prefer full length hemmed sleeves, which is easy enough to do. I found 2 brocades that I really like – one is B/W leaves on a reversible rayon/acetate from Fashion Fabric Club (#Q868) and the other is a med brown bamboo leaf poly brocade from JoAnn’s. (Hmmm – must have a leaf thing going….) My DH and I are going on an early November cruise, so I want something nice for dinner/evenings in a fall color.
My problem is, the regular price is $11.95, and Hancock’s won’t sell them for less when they have McCalls or Butterick patterns on sale for $1-$2. I just looked at the McCalls website, and it says something about 40% off and free shipping – I need to check out those details! (OK, so I’m cheap and see no reason to pay full price for patterns, especially when they are on sale so often!!) Before I invest in this pattern, I’d like to have other’s opinions on any good or bad experiences with this line of patterns. Why waste $, time and great fabric on a disaster????
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
Sunshine
Replies
The lovely illustrations make this pattern look much more "designed" than it is; it's a very slightly shaped wrap jacket with a deep facing. You can probably find an identical fit in either the new kimono top patterns or even in the bathrobe section of regular pattern books and buy the exact pattern on sale! (Never pay full price!)Completely unfitted kimono tops (rectangles for front, back, and sleeves) are also very flattering out of beautiful fabrics with a nice drape, and they are very easy to drape using old sheets or lengths of fabric.
I hated the fit of the Hot Patterns and since then I have been turned off. I admit I have not tried a McCalls Hot Pattern, so maybe they upgraded the fit to McCalls' standards.
I've sewn a few of the early Hot Patterns, they were badly drafted, but the styles are very fashion forward. From what I can make out the patterns have improved vastly, although I haven't given them a try. I live in New Zealand and they are too expensive and take too long to get here to really get into them.
For more information on them check out http://www.patternreview.com, there are lots of reviews of their various styles.
You can also buy them directly from Hot Patterns at http://www.hotpatterns.com.
Edited 7/2/2007 5:18 am ET by berniejh
Last year, I ordered an expensive handbag pattern from Hot Patterns, and it was badly drafted with worthless instructions.
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