Maybe I need to shorten it to a blouse length instead of a tunic. Maybe it's just a little too full yet. Maybe it's just a little too smock-y for women--especially women with curves (which I, admittedly, do not have, but I still don't like how it looks on me). I know it might help if I wasn't wearing it with a full skirt in these photos, too. It just doesn't seem like the most flattering cut for most women.
So I think it really does work better for children.
(I enlarged the pattern while we were in Vermont. I didn't enlarge it the way it should be done, or the way I would do it if I were going to professionally develop the pattern for women. I just sort of eyeballed the grading and we made muslins before cutting our real fabric. Again, it's ok. But I'm not sold on the idea. More on Vermont sewing here and here.)
What about putting a belt around your middle to cinch it in? Maybe that will make it look less smock-y :)
ReplyDeleteRegardless, it's still pretty cute!
Michelle
I agree with you that it would look better at a shorter length.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like a curvier tester drop me a line! I love the dress, and would love to spend the summer in a grown-up ice cream dress!!
ReplyDeleteI think that making it shorter and introducing much more of a curve at the hem could make it work.
ReplyDeleteYou're right though...it's never going to look quite as adorable on us, but that may be the lack of adorable chubby dimpled knees on display, rather than the pattern not being right.
Maybe I'm weird, but I would really love to see the school photo dress in adult sizes.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very cute and would be very comfortable for those of us that are at home with our kiddos all day. It would also be super cute as a dress that is around knee length or as a shortened shirt to around hip level.
ReplyDeleteI think you would have a lot of people interested, so keep playing, I think it looks great!
it's a cute design but i would definitely shorten it and style it so it has a bit of a hippie-boho look? as is, it kind of looks like a nightgown (sorry!)
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely on you - but I agree, a woman with more curvature might look wrong in it.
ReplyDeleteHave you had requests for making the 2+2 blouse in women sizes? If not consider this one.
Blouse length. Definitely blouse length. I think it would be cute if it were shorter - it looks good through the shoulders and chest, but then it just sort of hangs. Making it shorter might help. I still like the idea of an adult-size ice cream.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah I am so excited to see this!
ReplyDeleteI made the ice cream dress for my daughter last week (love that pattern) and was daydreaming of the blouse version for myself.
I think either a belted tunic (as said above) or a shorter blouse that hits the top of the hip bone.
good luck and thanks for sharing!
The yoke and neckline are so pretty that I do think it is doable. But I would go either shorter for a top, or to just above the knee for a dress.
ReplyDeleteI think that the length you have it currently is maybe what is throwing you, and yes, with the full skirt.
But imagine it shorter, with jeans, or a straight short (not too short) jeans skirt. It would be darling!
Also, maybe put little vents at the hem on the sides.
I still haven't tried this pattern for my little one but plan to do so.
Yeah, I don't see it working either but then, I have curves to spare and KNOW that this would look like a sack on me. Now that 2+2 blouse, on the other hand... Nice of you to try though.
ReplyDeleteThis chubby girl would wear it! I would lengthen the sleeves and shorten the bodice length, but I think it's pretty cute!
ReplyDeleteWow! I really disagree! I think it looks great and want one of my own! Give me the pattern, will ya?
ReplyDeleteI'm very curvy and a straight tunic like this would ride up like crazy. Blouse length might work.
ReplyDeleteIt's not my favourite in its current form. I have made similar tops that I like, but they have a shaped yoke, usually dipping down in the centre front. Also, they have not distributed the gathers evenly across the front...either centred gathers, or an inverted pleat at the centre, or 2 lots of gathers over the bust region. I am very pear shaped, and I like there to be enough width in the pleats and gathers to accomodate my hips. You could always offer 2 length options, I like shorter, but plenty of people look cute wearing a longer length over leggings.
ReplyDeleteI agree - shorter length would be much better. But also - I think the yoke should be a little bigger than it is. That said, I have to admit I would never, ever make it for myself. I'm sure it could look great on some women, but not me.
ReplyDeleteyes.i am totally with fawnbrooke. i love it and would never shorten it and want the pattern just as is ! c'mon, sample on us !
ReplyDeletei'm only a small wee thing and i actually appreciate the bigger longer boxy look - it is very japanese in style and causes flatter to those who lack the extra meat ! xx
Anything you put on is flattering (seriously), but perhaps shorter with a flair at the hem - I just LOVE the idea of making a blouse in two pieces!
ReplyDeleteExcited for whatever you do!
I'll add one more vote to shorten to blouse length. I'm with knottygnome and would strike for a more bohemian vibe with the adult version.
ReplyDeleteI love the longer length, it would look great with leggings, a cardigan and boots for fall...I'm a curvy gal myself, maybe some more gathers in the back to show off the waist?!
ReplyDeleteHi Liesl!
ReplyDeleteI HAVE to put my two cents in, of course.
I think this looks great: I am chubby and I would love to wear something like this, tweaked a bit for my height and shape, but the same none-the-less.
I would love to see this idea come to fruition some day soon...
But of course you realize if you give us an inch we will take a mile: the other patterns will be next!
XO,
Rhea
I agree that it would be hard for a curvier woman to pull it off. Then again, it falls in the general style of the loose tunics with gathers at the bust that have been popular these past few years, and the general lack-of-flattering-ness of the style overall doesn't seem to have deterred a good portion of the female population from getting on board with the trend, so I think you'd have takers, regardless.
ReplyDeletei also think this would be wonderful as a dress or top! i love the shape and am curvy- this shape hides my tummy and is so comfortable! i would snap it up as an adult pattern!!
ReplyDeletei think it's great. would look cute shorter or this length with a belt and jeans.
ReplyDeleteLiesl - I think you're right to shorten it. Then you can put a little bit of that treasured fabric to task with another project. I'm having a similar issue with my Nani Iro tunic twisted bias tunic - now that it's out of Blueberry Hill it is looking very nightgown-y. Breaking my heart so I won't finish it!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be adorable a little shorter and paired with jeans or something more fitted on the bottom. I think I might love it that way.
ReplyDeleteI actually think it's really cute. Especially for a woman with my kind of curves! I am large chested with a puchy belly and skinny legs. A tunic like this, perhaps even a bit longer, nice and crisp at the top and loose at the midriff paired with some leggings would be flattering.
ReplyDeleteI think it might work as an adult dress if it were made in a stiffer fabric, such as linen or linen/cotton, and without the pockets. Don't remember the length for the child version, but on an adult, the hem should end at the knee, or just above.
ReplyDeleteI'm pear shaped, but not really overweight. I think it would be wearable so long as the fabric had enough body to skim the curves of an adult woman.
You know what else?? I think I'd make the yolk a little longer too - if it was fitted a little lower (to just above bust line, rather than being so high), I think it would show a little more shape, without revealing bumpy bits that are down lower. Maybe worth a try!
ReplyDelete2+2 definitely sounds good though - I've made several child sized ones and modified it for a dolly, and just love it!
Usually I just lurk here but I had to chime in because just today I saw a pattern on PatternReview that looked just like the Ice Cream Dress but for women. It was New Look 6775 and you can see it made up in a nice voile here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48940032@N07/5162827939/
ReplyDeleteLooks very close, no?