Simplicity 1800 amazing fit

[rowe1311]

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/353180795750431972/
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/291678513353310026/

Every time this crops up on pinterest I think, 'ooh I like that', but I have seen the reviews on pattern review which suggest that the instructions aren't great.  Does anyone know of any similar patterns with easy instructions? I especially like the pockets as I love and use pockets a lot. 

[DementedFairy]

It doesn't look complicated enough to warrant any instruction problems.  Have you looked on Pattern Review?

[Ellabella]

I was checking Pattern Review this afternoon for this very pattern for my DD and the reviews were fairly unenthusiastic.

I'm looking for a halter necked dress pattern  for a RTW size 18. There's not much on the Big 4, Style Arc doesn't have one.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

[DementedFairy]

The only halterneck I own is this one
https://sewing-online.com/butterick-retro-butterick-sewing-pattern-b5209-misses-dress.html?utm_source=google_shopping&m=Configurable&215=3256&aid=24777&gclid=CP3DnOWbrNMCFQ-3GwodTb0BOQ

Being vintage, it has a nice high back!

It is pretty easy to do an FBA on, as it's mostly shaped with gathers.

[Ellabella]

I've just messaged DD and she loves it.

Thanks DF, you're really coming up trumps for me today

Sorry for hijacking your thread Rowe

[Francesca]

I've sewn Amazing Fit patterns before and their instructions are incredibly verbose, so I'm surprised to hear they were troublesome.

[Efemera]

I've just bought this pattern..I looked on PR and I've come to the conclusion that the difficulty lies with the way they tell you to fit it.they say to tack it all together right side out, fit it then take it to bits and stitch it the right way.....what a palaver, I'll just make a toile.

[UttaRetch]

Actually, I don't think that is a bad way to go about it except that you need an assistant to help with the back.

[BrendaP]

I've sewn Amazing Fit patterns before and their instructions are incredibly verbose, so I'm surprised to hear they were troublesome.

Some people learn best from the written word, others do better with good diagrams and others need to be shown/watch videos - there's no 'one size fits all' when it comes to understanding instructions, just as there's no 'one size fits all' with clothes.

[Francesca]

Some people learn best from the written word, others do better with good diagrams and others need to be shown/watch videos - there's no 'one size fits all' when it comes to understanding instructions, just as there's no 'one size fits all' with clothes.

Yes I understand that. My point is that if many people found them to be poor that suggests that something about the way they were written was poor. Which is odd because they are essentially normal instructions + lots and lots of extra guidance.

[Efemera]

Maybe not so much poor as confusing....

[Francesca]

The problem I had with them is that they are so fundamentally different from how instructions are normally written that I think they will be better for someone who is totally new to garment sewing.

[DementedFairy]

Hmmm yes I think I've run across one of those lately- pages and pages and pages of instructions that just prolonged the process.  I'd rather see the fitting info completely separate to the assembly process, for clarity and convenience.

[rowe1311]

At the best of times I struggle with understanding patterns, so maybe if like Fran says they might be written differently to normal ones, as a newbie they might work for me.  Efemera, let me know how you get on? 

One of the first dresses I made was this http://sewliberated.com/products/ashland-dress.  I found the instructions really easy to understand, so maybe I should just try and alter the pockets so they are like the simplicity one instead, but not sure how well I could do that. 

[charlotte]

Yes, as others have said, the Amazing Fit patterns have instructions that are for fitting as you go. It depends whether you want to do that or not. As long as you are not brand new to sewing, it's fairly obvious how to leave out the fitting bit if you want to, but I do see how it could be confusing for those who like to follow the instructions line-by-line as it is not immediately clear why you are doing strange things like tacking the side seams wrong sides together.