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I am getting married this summer and would like to have my dress made by a friend-seamstress. However, I cannot find ANY patterns similar to the dress I would like: a simple A-line silhouette, bateau neckline with empire or natural waistline. I have looked through patterns by Simplicity, Vogue, McCall’s, and Butterick. Any other places to look which I am missing. (I have intermediate sewing ability, but this is over-the-top for me).
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Karen,
Congratulations! Have you tried Style and New Look patterns? If you can't find them locally, you'll find them on simplicity's web site. Have you looked at casual dresses as well as formal - they could be adapted. Also, there are many small pattern companies now, i.e., sewing workshop. Look in the back of Threads for adds. Lastly, burda patterns are wonderful for style and fit. Try glpnews.com or do a search for burda patterns. I would also check retro patterns for the line and neckline. Good luck, dawn
*Karen, what Dawn told you is right on the money. But also keep an open mind - you may find a pattern that is pretty close to what you want, but the neckline isn't right, or it has long sleeves and you wanted short - these are easy changes to make to the pattern to make it perfect for you. Also be aware that to a certain extent you can mix and match patterns within pattern companies. Say you saw one pattern that has the perfect top, another one has the skirt you want. If the patterns are of the same general silouette, you may be able to take the top from one and the skirt from another and put them together. Your seamstress friend should know how to do all this, you might want to have her come along with you on the pattern search.
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