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.
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Fabric Choice ~
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.
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!