Public Service Announcement!

[DancingMommy]

For those of you who sew your own ballgowns, TOMORROW, Jo-Ann fabrics is having a huge sale. All Simplicity patterns (excluding Burda and Easy to sew and one other kind) will be on sale for a whopping $1.99. Limit ten per customer.

What does this have to do with ballroom dancing you might ask? PLENTY!

See these:

Simplicity #4044
http://www.simplicity.com/assets/4744/4744.jpg

and

Simplicity 4312

http://www.simplicity.com/assets/4312/4312.jpg

I guess we can thank DWTS & SYTYCD for this, eh? It's nice to see this kind of thing in the mainstream! List prioce for these are ~$17 EACH so getting them for less than two bucks is a STEAL!

[SPratt74]

I actually have those two patterns that I bought from Wal-Mart on my dresser. I'm just now learning how to make stuff like that though. It's actually a lot of fun! ;) But those aren't dresses that I would wear for competition though. I would for showcases and things like that. ;)

[SuzieQ]

Just a word of warning---the #4044 pattern is a mess. I made it a year or so ago and the pattern and directions are all mixed up, unless they have corrected it. I call it my dress from hell. Actually turned out OK but even my mother who's been sewing for 60+ years couldn't figure it out, so I know it wasn't just me. I had to improvise a lot.
The other one looks interesting though!

[SPratt74]

Just a word of warning---the #4044 pattern is a mess. I made it a year or so ago and the pattern and directions are all mixed up, unless they have corrected it. I call it my dress from hell. Actually turned out OK but even my mother who's been sewing for 60+ years couldn't figure it out, so I know it wasn't just me. I had to improvise a lot.
The other one looks interesting though!

I could let you see both of them if you want! I haven't touched them yet. I'll keep them on hand with me and show you the next time we are at the studio together. ;)

[DancingJools]

Jo-Ann regularly has these sales on their patterns. They do that in my area, and I think it's a nation-wide thing. When you shop there, you fill out a form to be on their mailing list, and they will send you the flyer for their sales (which are ongoing, just different items every time). Patterns sales occur every two months, more or less. The best sale price on Vogue patterns (my favorite) is 75% off. Other brands will go for $0.99 - 1.99. However, as some posters already noted, these patterns aren't the best for ballroom. You're better off with patterns made for activewear/dancewear by specialty companies.

One downside with Jo-Ann is that you need to bring in that mailing label from the most recent flyer in order to remain on their mailing list. I found that policy extremely annoying, which is why I am no longer on their mailing list. I just go there when I feel like it, and I pick up a flyer.
However, flyers mailed to homes also include coupons not found on the flyers available in-store, and these coupons can be quite valuable, for the sewing addict.

So, enjoy.

[Joe]

Patterns, schmatterns. ;)

[delamusica]

I like the red in 4312 - but I would make the ruffling only half as long, so it hit just above the knee instead of just below. And probably I'd cut out most of the back of the dress . . . THEN I'd stone it like crazy. :)

Mmm . . . I need a partner so I have an excuse to make a new dress!

[DancingMommy]

These dresses are designed for dancing - it says so in the pattern book.

Frankly, the name "Simplicity" is an oxymoron. I usuall get out the pattern pieces, cut and then decide the order I'll assemble them. Haven't had a mess yet.

Vogue - which is reputed to be the most complicated are actually better than Simplicity for instructions (although crappy in their own right).

Real women don't read the directions.

[SuzieQ]

Real women don't read the directions.

That's what my mother would say, and I would agree to some extent. When you've been sewing for a while, you sometimes learn to do things differently.

But, the problems I was talking about were mis-marked pattern pieces and---there is no mention on the pattern envelope about the dress having sewn-in dance pants---and the pattern pieces do not reflect that--but the directions are given for sewing that part.
I had to attach the bottom of a leotard pattern to the top, then figure out how to attach the skirt to the non-existent waistline that was displayed in the directions.I ended up making the skirt separate and attaching it at the sides. I'm not a beginner sewer, so it's not just a problem following directions. My mom went to the store and looked at it along with the store clerk and agreed that they were all messed up. I'm just sayin'--

[SPratt74]

These dresses are designed for dancing - it says so in the pattern book.


Sure they are made for dancing, but they aren't made for competitions lol. I'd wear them for showcases or what have you, but not competitions. ;)

[Alexander7]

Pictures look like dance dresses, but I don't think that it was built as dance dresses patterns.
Always better to use especialy built for you close fitted basic pattern. And after you can develope it to different styles.

[pygmalion]

These dresses are designed for dancing - it says so in the pattern book.

Frankly, the name "Simplicity" is an oxymoron. I usuall get out the pattern pieces, cut and then decide the order I'll assemble them. Haven't had a mess yet.

Vogue - which is reputed to be the most complicated are actually better than Simplicity for instructions (although crappy in their own right).

Real women don't read the directions.


I hate, hate trying to make Simplicity patterns by the directions!!!

My faves? Butterick pretty much anything and Vogue Average difficulty patterns. Not necessarily in that order. Well designed clothes. Well designed patterns. Directions that make sense. Clothes that hang well, if you choose appropriate fabric. But yeah. I'll be over at Joann tomorrow. Annoying I can't deny. But I like to stay on the mailing list -- I enjoy the 40 and 50 percent off coupons. :)

[bjp22tango]

These dresses are designed for dancing - it says so in the pattern book.
:uplaugh:

Where's the "tongue in cheek" smilie when you need it?