Flower Princess Dress and Another Bootstrap Review

April showers did indeed bring May flowers, even though it took me a while to get pictures in this dress.  I initially made this dress to wear for Easter on a cruise back in April.  Yes, I did wear it on Easter, and I had all intentions of using the pictures taken on the ship for my blog post.  Well, that did not go over very well.  The photographer was lame, I mean terrible!!!  The next day, when I excitedly went to see my pictures on display... I was floored by such awful pictures.  My coloring was horrible, my hair looked like crap, and the neckline and armholes were disgustingly oversized and ill-fitted.  I had not done this beautiful cotton sateen justice.  When I downloaded the pattern from the Bootstrap, "Fashion Design WIZ Pro", I was supper happy to have something "fit" my chest.  But, totally forgot to take time to thoroughly analyze the fit in the most important areas, the armholes and neckline.

This dress was constructed in true---ready-to-wear fashion.  Meaning, I sewed the entire dress on the serger.  I used the regular sewing machine to complete 3/4" hem along with making the alterations for the neck and armholes.  The facings were included with the pattern in this case, since it is considered a "fashion" pattern.  If you recall the one I did for Jennifer...did not, because it was a sloper.  The fabric was purchased by me from Sew Much Fabric, the online "fine" fabrics store I deal with mostly for any of my "online" purchases.  I love working with the owner, Roz.  She is very interested in making sure I get what I need.  You all really should check her services out.  Occasionally, she will sponsor one of my post.  Which, can get blurred at times, since I purchase a large majority of my fabrics from her when I don't go out of town or to the only ONE fine fabrics store we have left here.

A little about why I have been using Bootstrap is in order.  You see, lately, I have been testing these patterns up against my Cameo Fashion Pattern Design software, by Wild Ginger (not sponsored) in an effort to determine which one produces the best pattern to give my students who take my fitting classes.  So, lets get one thing straight.  Bootstrap is THREE (3) systems in one!!  The "Fashion Design App"  and the "Made-to-Measure Sewing Patterns" and an industry marketplace.  (More on those in another post.)

They use a system created by an engineer based out of Russian using algorithms that can get some really good results, not withstanding plus-size.  The jury is still out on that one for me.  This system is the EXACT SAME AS "Lekala Sewing Patterns- Site" , and is no different, except for the website layout.  Bootstrap offers everything on one website, to be used copyright free, and royalty-free, in multiple ways, by designers, sewing enthusiasts, pattern makers, teachers, etc., all with the desired outcome of creating "custom-sized" patterns to your measurements.  All their systems will get you pretty close to a decently fitted pattern.  But, this part of their offerings, the Fashion Design app... right now, will not take up my time EVER!! AGAIN! I'm serious y'all.  It seems to have created the same problem I told you all about in my YouTube video on how to choose the right size pattern.  Check it out if you want.

Don't get it twisted, this dress fits "around" all the important places, but I had to work to get the dawn neckline and those armholes right.  Those armholes are still in need of some manipulation..(aaahhh, I didn't do a muslin...I was in a rush).  I'd rather start another dress.  Truth be told, we wear this kind of stuff all the time from the store with no concern.  It's when we sew it ourselves that we create big deals and hee-and haw over every little detail.  Those times when faced with sharing with the world our fashion fit-flaws, and risking telling the public and our "students" in my case, that we didn't get it right!!.  I am human y'all, and I am honest too.  Honestly, I am gonna wear the threads out of this dress this summer, fit issues and all, regardless of what I say here on this blog.

I think that considering so many are in desperate need of patterns that fit, this system can be a welcome change and a very good option for those who want to at least start with a "pretty" good pattern, less the major expense of a computer system such as Wild Ginger or PatternMaker.  Also, consider, this program gets you some pretty decent designs straight out the gate.  Whereas, with Wild Ginger, you are working with libraries of "plain" base pattern blocks, which require "vision" to conceptualize.  Most people are not at that point, or just would rather have designs already worked out on the front-end.  I can be that person at times when I "just" want to sew, not design...or worry about all the major fit issues presented with standard pre-packaged pre-sized patterns.

After all the alterations I did to get the neckline to fit, I will be going back to the pattern and redrawing all the lines to get my fit, albeit, it is a lot of work.  Work I really hate to do in circumstances like this.  I really despise having to redraw and redesign necklines for fit, even though I have done several videos explaining necklines to you how to get it done.  It's just a lot of work, you already know!!  This parting shot will show you that I really didn't concern myself with matching.  Oh well....shoot me.  I must have shifted that pattern a slight amount when I was cutting, because this is enough to drive your OCD tendencies up the wall and need medication.  So, when you are standing behind me, keep it to yourself, "Connie!! and Beckie."  LOL.  (I adore you ladies.!)

OOOH BTW...do you all want a tutorial on how I improved this neckline?