Thank you for coming along with me on this bumpy ride. This pattern was quite a doozy! Here is the playlist to the rest of the Vintage vs. Reproduction series: ua-cam.com/play/PLaG2bBTXx7U6tf1DHulYw50VgYvJadnUP.html
I would have assumed that Butterick keep a copy of all their patterns they have printed. Hence they would have had the original and all the other file notes that went with it. Hence why would Butterick make a different pattern to their original walkaway dress pattern.
I would liked to have seen you sew a dress from the old and modern walkaway patterns. By making a dress from each pattern you can give a review based upon your own experience. I do not think long darts would look good on me, as I am 5'1'. I often have to shorten bodice patterns and a long dart would look horrible.
@@lizw5587 I was curious about the changes that were done to the pattern for the repro. I don’t think they’ve changed the actual final look of the dress, but I do think they’ve left less leeway for alterations. At least from what I gather in this video. It’s nice to hear that it can work, but I do assume that you really should do a mock-up and know what alterations you typically make to their brands in order for the fit to work.
I would love to see the comparison, too. I'm wondering if the changes were made to adjust for modern bras and/or girdles. Also, women are heavier today, so maybe that's a reason. I suppose it comes down to individuality. If the original fits you better, then you love that one; if the new one fits better, then you love that one. I guess the moral is to always make a mock-up and adjust that before using your fashion fabric.
I love that the modern patterns assume that it's your first pattern and you have no prior sewing knowledge whatsoever. It makes it far more likely that anyone can pick up a pattern with the rudiments of how to operate a sewing machine create a garment.
@@StephanieCanada I’m 61 and medically blind so I could use my phone to read the words of the instructions. Because I lost my sight 6 years I was already used to reading patterns so can follow words alone. Unfortunately as I can no longer see to cut the patterns independently I no longer make clothing unless someone else would cut the pieces out.
As a woman who constantly wants to get into sewing, gives it a good old college try, and fails each and every time, if they didn’t do this I’d never even try.
As a self-taught (advanced) beginner sewist (and non-native English speaker to beat), I am beyond thankful that modern pattern companies do include thorough instructions. I would most likely get completely lost without them, it gets tiring to have to google absolutely every small step and it can make one feel quite discouraged. Also, when I started I didn't know the names of any of the stitches, so the fact they actually mention what stitch to use at least gave me a way to look them up and learn. I don't think including the instructions really takes anything away from more experienced sewers either, they can just go by their intuition, as they probably mostly would anyway. :)
Thank you for making this video, though, this is super useful information! I love the look of vintage clothing, but have always been a bit hesitant to buy actual vintage patterns, thinking they wouldn't fit right, and rather going for the reproductions. Seems like it might be the other way around though! Also, love your dog and the editing, I'm glad to have just found your channel! 😊
Wow for a non-native English speaker, you have the language and proper usage down! I too do not sew, although I know enough to make a Rag Quilt. Keep going, it is a skill worth having. My mum knit, and I wish I had learned that too. I may still pick it up. I do counted cross stitching, but that’s the end of my skills with a needle.
Wow! I never realized repro patterns could differ so much. I've always assumed they were re-issues of originals. They seem to be more like movies inspired by beloved books, with authenticity varying wildly!
I have a repro that clearly states reprint. It's a vaguely shapeless poncho pattern. Even the yardage is listed in a different way than most modern patterns.
The walk-away repro my first "vintage" pattern after learning to sew from modern patterns at age 12. Catering to the lowest denomination of skill knowledge is a way to make sewing accessible to everyone. It does feel like pandering to those with higher skill levels but, as a 12 year old, I did not know a whole lot.
Gwynevieve, you make such a good point. I do tend to forget that I have an unnatural advantage since my mother started teaching me when I was 8. Thank you so much for sharing your outlook!
I didn't have anyone in my family to teach me anything, and started sewing long before the internet, but after home ec disappeared, so I liked the extra wordage. But glad to hear that the repro pattern is a hellscape, because I could not get that thing to fit. It put me back years in my confidence
For a person who has never sewn a garment breaking it down Barney style is a good thing. I have only been sewing for less than a year and had no clue what slip stitching was when I sewed my first pattern. I had to google it. Modern patterns that are harder don’t have as much detail because those are the patterns where you are expected to have general knowledge. Anything labeled “easy” should have that amount of detail.
I can see new sewists like me thinking this would be a good pattern to start with, so I get the new pattern having step-by-step instructions. Little did they realize they would be step-by-stepping into Pattern Hell.
That would be me! I have this pattern but haven’t used it yet. I just know for sure that I would have felt awful if I couldn’t make it look like the cover :( she is doing gods work!
I had a similar experience, different pattern, but also a vintage reproduction, the pattern was too long for my attention span. In an age where I can google stuff and have 10 videos explaining to my how to sew a waistband I don't need a confusing page of instructions breaking down everything into small details, I need an outline of all the steps like in the vintage pattern. All the ease in the pattern also made it so that the skirt that was made for a 30 inch waist was wide enough to turn it into a wrap skirt and I just abandoned the top.
I did enjoy seeing that there even a difference. Silly me, I automatically assumed they just used the "EXACT" same pattern. This is a big deal. So can we conclude the vintage patterns are not truly brought back the same. A game changer for sure. Thank you so much. And yes of course I did subscribe.
One thing about the directions this is a beginner vintage pattern so I say the more directions the better , the problem I had with this dress is the frumpy frumpy fit
Agreed! A lot of people who are new to sewing want to make something meaningful to start - not a pillowcase or something - but they need really complete instructions to be successful. I don't see the harm in including as much info as possible, given it's neatly organized.
Oh my gosh that is a total of 8 inches difference in length!! That was also the best time out I have ever seen. Lol I'm still laughing as I type this. 🤣
I knew what to expect, but didn't realize the differences would be so drastic for a 3-piece pattern. I've made the reproduction walkaway and mine was wearable but didn't look like the envelope. Thanks for posting this.
Here because RachelMaksy made this and I want one too, the come ts said you're the one to talk to about getting it to fit my 21st century knowledge and needs :)
Aww thank you!! I woke up to all these new comments and was wondering what happened. I am trying to help folks make the vintage from these videos. I hope I can help you too!
For this particular pattern (one a VERY NEW, much beginner might use) I think specifying a slipstitch and other minutia is a good thing. I also think explicit details are never a bad thing for patterns. Seasoned sewists might get irritated by it but the beginner will always be appreciative for that sort of thing. We didn’t have HomeEc or any sort of cooking, sewing, informational IRL classes in my high-school so until I started teaching myself I had no idea what a slipstitch even was and something like this would’ve been great as something from which to start. Anyway, just my two cents but I think that might be more helpful than aggravating. 😬
From my experience, beginners who are just starting to sew but want to make a full garment as a way of learning don't know the names of different stitches and don't know which stitches are best for certain areas on a garment or types of fabric. So in my opinion there is no harm in including MORE information and definitions especially in a pattern that is supposed to be very easy/beginner friendly. Adding a term like "slipstitch" to the instructions also allows beginners to look up how to do that from other resources. Now that's in their knowledge bank and next time they can breeze right over it in the pattern. Anyone with lots of sewing knowledge can (and likely will) skip over that information and use their own information to determine what's best for the finish they're going for and it hurts no one to include it. On the other hand, if you market something as easy enough for beginners and don't make it as beginner friendly as possible, it does hurt the early sewists who can feel lost and overwhelmed if there isn't a lot of guidance. (this is all ignoring the fact that this particular pattern is Bad because that's not the instructions or glossary's fault)
Like many others have commented, I would also like to see the comparison between the dresses as sewn. (I've made the reproduction Walkaway Dress, and it did not fit well.) It would be even more useful to make the dresses and see how they fit and drape differently, and maybe show how to fit the modern pattern better, since it looks like the vintage pattern might be hard to find. As for modern patterns having more in the way of instructions, I will never poo-poo that. I am an experienced sewist, but I always appreciate those extras (even if I don't always follow them!). I have recently started using indie patterns, which often give these extras for less experienced sewists. Yes, there are books with techniques, but if it's right in the pattern? Heck, include it.
Thankyou. I attempted to make this dress from the repro pattern, I never got past the toile, the whole thing has been in the attic for over 5 years jeering at me from it's lofty position. I consider myself to be a reasonable sewist so wasn't afraid when I started - that soon changed. After watching this I feel so much better about it all, I now know the reason I had to 'walk away' from it were butterick's hideous drafting not my own sewing skills. Thankyou so much for sharing.
As a sewist who started in the sixties I remember seeing this type of pattern. Reminds me of those 3 armhole wrap around dresses. Love to see that pattern again.
I saw Rachel Makes make this dress and fell in love with the lookout she got hosed with the reproduction. Thankfully a kind soul pointed us here. Now I know to hunt for the OG pattern.
Same! I got so excited when I saw Maksy's video, since I have this pattern from my grandmother and have been planning on making it, but I was so disappointed with the outcome - I found the same comment and was totally relieved that I can save the pattern!
I actually got done with tracing out the front and back piece (the skirt is literally 1/4 of a circle skirt) if you would like a copy just DM me on Instagram at BackroomFinds.
@@StephanieCanada That's so kind of you. Thank you. I actually found a vintage pattern, but it's a bust 30. And sister, I haven't been a bust 30 in at least 15 years. I've traced the pattern on paper and I'm going to upsize it now.
@@erinnmcnew9080 I made several dresses with several closure in the front but I believe the only trick at this dress is to add the bias-ribbon around. And this worked at my creations from the 1rst time.
For your slipstitch observation: I think its necessary because people are more likely to choose to learn to sew and are going to patterns versus texts to jump headfirst into it. As someone who learned at home, then went to school for apparel design - one of my biggest complaints during and post grad was that though they taught us to drape/patternmake and we were graded on sewing and construction, we were not properly taught how to finish garments. We were taught to serge all pertinent pieces, topstitch, understitch, etc, but once we got into making out own designs it was kind of jarring to know what to do next to take a custom garment from muslin to finished product. Do I do a horsehair hem? When do I use a lapped versus an invisible zip? Are there rules to this or do I just choose the finish I know how to do and make it work even if the dress has one shoulder and I've only worked on symmetrical garments with facings and full linings? I'm still not confident with many finishes which I feel inhibits my design style so I use patterns for new ideas and proper technique to enable me to create more of my own designs in the future. As far as the pattern difference from the perspective of darting, etc isn't surprising because busts are lifted differently in modern undergarments - I have no idea why they would make it 5in shorter aside from working off of a standard sheet of measurements instead of a proper fit model and/or the fact that Midlength/below the knee isn't as trendy and easier pattern layout on available fabric widths.
As someone who studies Dressmaking and making patterns from scratch from Bunka, I can positively say I like the vintage one better in terms on actually having shape (The arm holes have been curved for a softer shape, the skirt pattern would also be more aligned with the fabric grain, not just for good draping, it would be easier to cut and ensures a more consistent shape and the darts are larger for a slim effect in case anyone is curious). The reproduction was clearly designed to be "comfortable" and "easy". ( The skirt is clearly made by someone who wanted to make it easier but I have never seen a waist curve so....narrow.)
@@StephanieCanada Hahaha, Thanks! Based on the skirt pattern alone, it just reads as a regular full circle skirt but the waist area should be shaped as a half moon instead of "U" shaped where it might be hard for a beginner seamstress where the curve can drive anyone crazy. The Vintage one because of the extended line on waist curve would create the soft "pleat" in the front, as like the illustration.
So, I do feel like they dumb down the instructions in modern patterns, but I feel like they do that because most people who know what they're doing don't take the time to actually read all of the instructions (they just glace through for seam allowances). That being said, the patterns should NOT be THAT drastically different. The fit won't work and ultimately you're wearing a vintage inspired gown instead of a replication... They need to do better (the company, not the poor minimum wage worker)
Beginning Sewer here. These details are super helpful because I'm teaching myself. I was home schooled and my mother didn't want to teach me to machine sew and she didn't hand sew.
Oh no! 😱 I bought the replica! Did not make the dress for now, but now I know I’m going to watch your video over an over to adjust the pattern or maybe one day I will find the original 😍, I’ve bought some real vintage pattern on Etsy and oh how happy I am now after watching you! Love this video, I just discovered you today through a link on a SewRena video, love from the Netherlands.
Having plenty of instructions is super important for me personally. I can sew something simple, but I could never just figure out on my own what kind of stitch is the most appropriate in any given situation. So for me that is a huge plus. This pattern is mostly likely tailored (pun intended) for beginners and not for the advanced seamstress.
Completely agree! I have actually reviewed several more patterns since this video and acknowledged that I went too hard for the instructions in this one.
For the patterns on my list that are lesser known I will be making up toile's side by side, but for these super well know (and made ) ones, I am just doing the patterns. However, I DO plan on making up some as this series goes along.
Stephanie, I came across you via Kathy Bower....what a rabbit hole I have traveled. During the last 2 plus years I was looking for a way to be dressed without being in a "house dress" or pants. So I came across my pattern stash that I had purchased several vintage style patterns. I remember the older women in my family wearing the Walk Away dress in all material configurations from something to do laundry in to going to dinner in. I thought, when I bought the pattern what a fun dress to have.....how wrong I was! I have been sewing since I was 10 years old (at the knee of my seamstress great grandmother). So I thought I had gone absolutely crazy when I first made my reproduction and it didn't even come close to looking like the walkaway that I remembered. Then,, I thought I had made huge mistakes in altering the pattern....I was thinking old age and the pandemic had stripped me of all sewing abilities. Your video has renewed my self worth!!! With some of your comparisons I will be making a new pattern since the vintage is NOWHERE out there...or I don't want to pay the price. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your pattern.
Because of a UK sewing program called The Great Sewing Bee, you could find versions of these sewn up dresses at Charity shops around the UK. My mum made this dress up and the fit was terrible.
I made this pattern almost 30 years ago and I actually loved it. I made it from a denim print (bright white background with cherries all over it, I used matching red bias tape). I also did as I always have done and got lots of extra fabric and I measured the length of the pattern waist to hem and added plenty to be able to make it longer, thereby avoiding the length issue. What I found was that the waist ended up too small, although I was newly pregnant t with my second child, so was a bit puffy around the middle. I solved this by putting elastic at the back so I could hook the back bit together with comfortable elastic, which moved much better than I imagine the pattern would have. And then for the front waist, I used bias tape and added some loops which I threaded to make a corset style detail and I just used more bias tape sewn into a ribbon to tie it and it ended up making a pretty detail at the waist. I loved that dress so much, too. It really was a beautiful dress. I wonder if these changes made it so it was more wearable than the modern pattern would have been if I had made it in the correct size…
😂 It did have it coming, but I still had a full body wince watching a pattern get torn lol. I'm so happy you reviewed this one! I was anticipating it and you delivered! Thanks 💜
Honestly, I have never intentionally torn up a pattern before but this one earned it. Plus all my friends who have struggled with this pattern earned a well-deserved destruction scene.
I so loved the "it had it coming" so good!!. Though I do like having the suggested stitch to work on the garments/ projects. It's very helpful and then I can look up and learn more stitches.
😂😂😂 This is great! OMG! As a person who makes patterns, the modern versions drive me insane! BAD ARMHOLE SHAPES! BAD WAISTLINE SHAPES! BAD COLLAR ROLLS! 🤯🤯🤯 I swear I think there are executives sitting it the board rooms saying “we have to simplify, make it “easier”, fit everyone” and in the process nothing fits, shapes are crap, and it’s HARDER to sew something that looks good. Ugh! Ok, getting off the soap box to say thank you for a hilarious and truthful video. Great Job and I am glad I found your channel. 👍🏻
Preach it sister!!! I tried this pattern back in my infancy sewing days and it went all kinds of wrong, and now I see why. I thought it was because I didn't know how to do bust adjustments yet so it was fitting me wonky.
honestly, i appreciate them telling me which stitch tonuse because i would have no idea otherwise. i am still learning so lean heavily into the pattern's instructions.
I have now watched only two of your videos but you had me laughing non-stop. You are funny, great on camera personality.......you are binge-worthy!!!!!!
The dress is so beautiful on the cover! Why did they butcher it?? It seems like the original is very tricky to find. I wonder if it would be cheating if I bought the remake and did my best to use it and your video draft a more accurate pattern to the original. Thanks for showing us this!!
REALLY glad I watched this. Why even call it a reproduction at that point! I think I'll try my hand at patterning the thing myself from my block and see how I do rather than trying to make the modern one work.
OMG... This explains everything. I can't believe how drastic the difference is. I had to do a whole weird alteration in order for the dress to fit somewhat properly. Thank you so much for the validation.
Wow! I’ve been sewing clothing most of my life and when I made that reproduction pattern, I couldn’t understand where I was going wrong. I took it apart 3 times and ended up rolling it up and hiding it under a pile of fabric. This video is sooo validating! Thank-you😁
I'm about to make the modern repro for the 4th time, from novelty Halloween prints. I made the first two out of sheets from thrift stores (polka dot fronts, pink back/wrap skirt for one, yellow for the other. The third was my family tartan with a navy blue back/wrap skirt). A few things I've learned, but YMMV: I had to adjust the arm scythe so that my bra doesn't show on the sides, and basted in the darts to make sure I liked the way they fit, and really REALLY leaned on them for fit so that it didn't turn out frumpy. I also had to open up the waist, because that weird "U" shape doesn't exist anywhere on my body, so I can see why the vintage skirt pattern would be better. I also ended up making it longer, because I could tell just by holding the piece up to me that it was going to be shorter than my middle aged legs needed. In fairness, I've never sewn a Butterick pattern that wasn't hugely problematic from start to finish... but I end up with a slew of them when JoAnn waves them under my nose for .99 cents.
This was the first dress I ever tried making and ughhh. The differences in the bodice piece are INSANE. I wonder if it also has to do with the different shapewear women wore in the 50's? Conical bras and girdles/step-ins would have made pattern cutting very different to today. And yes, it's INFURIATING how repro patterns (and modern dress patterns in general) cut the waistline SO HIGH. I want a dress to sit at my actual waist, not up at my diaphragm. I've learned to just add an extra inch or so to the bottom of all bodice pieces.
Thank you for this video it cheered me up. I made this dress using the "modern" pattern , i had to remove the front center darts, add 8 extra inchs onto the bias binding to close it around the front and back and lengthen the skirt by 3 inchs to be acceptable, i also had to alter the skirt "waist" so it wasnt such a U shape for it to fit my frame better. i used the size 16-22 and used red and black polycotton with corrisponding cotton coloured bias tapes and found dispite having made multiple dresses using modern patterns that is "walk away dress" was a pain in the tush, i may need to burn it like you did yours if the next time i make it with my added notes of alterations doesnt work out.
I just started sewing during quarantine and I got the newer version of this 😅 I haven’t tried it yet but I’m exited to make it work somehow! This video helps a lot, thank you 💕
Marika from Enchanted Rose Costumes has a youtube tutorial for this dress pattern. It is awesome because she talks about, and shows all the alterations she had to do to make it work. Perhaps that will help you.
This blog post might help a little! This sewist altered hers to actually look like the cover drawing, just Google “how to make butterick 4790 look like the pattern cover” it’s by a blog called edelweiss patterns and on a different article she also does a sew along! I haven’t done it but I probably will eventually
My mom taught me to sew and we always went up at least one yard, or at least to the next yard mark if it says something like 1 1/8 yards, that way you have wiggle room and god forbid you do something wrong and need to recut a piece/want to fussy cut to match patterns or have the pattern go a certain way like I did with my rainbow dress. Also I've loved looking at and making my vintage patterns and they have fit SO much better, many of them I have found at my local thrift stores and they are so much easier for me to understand and so much easier to make in general.
absolutely EXCELLENT. This is what new sewists need to see. Being vintage myself. . .I have lived the originals. And I feel for all those who have bought the repros. You are doing a great service. Keep it up.
Thank you for an informative video. I have just found your channel and now I am going to binge this afternoon. I haven’t made this dress yet. I have a box of old(vintage) I am going to look for it now. I liked your cleansing fire, some things rate being turned into ash.
I made the reproduction one and had to make a brand new front because the underarm was so wonky. I am getting the vintage one (in any size) and will grade it up and make a proper one. Thanks for showing us the difference. IT's SO much!
thank you for this. i finally gave into the presure and just baught the reperduction. i have a similar shape to Stephanie except that i am only 5'1. my torso doesn't have room for the front thing.
I Absolutely Love this Dress! Since the original is not the current pattern being sold. Wondering if a PDF print out can be shared? What is the copyright time on a pattern which is no longer in print? Also like you, I am a slightly bigger gal and would love to be able to get pattern in "my" size. What do you think?
I mean the item that was under copyright was the cover image, since they were making a pattern to be used companies couldn't copyright the pattern itself. However, I have traced out the original, but I do not feel skilled enough in grading that I could scale up for others. If you want a paper copy of the front and back (the skirt was literally just 1/4 of a circle skirt) DM me on Instagram at Backroom Finds
@@StephanieCanada I had a dress I was going to make in December but anxiety finally went to start yesterday but it was so confusing even my mom didn’t understand and it said easy on the front! So no sewing I have picked 2 new patterns from my collection and am waiting for zips then I can start them, why do they make them so hard!?
Absolutely enjoyed this video. Especially after you made us all wait 2 WEEKS for it!!😤 No worries🤗, we all know you're back at work. Btw, it was worth the wait. I'll admit it, I squealed with delight and excitement when I saw it come up. Then watched it immediately. Thanks for such fun and informative content.
Im new sewer and appreciate more info on instructions. I’m self learning along with I watch you tube because no classes available Maybe some day I’ll need less written instructions. Your very funny
It's really nice to see exactly where the differences are on the patterns and holy crow those darts. I am now itching to make them both, because I've only made the repro.
I made this to wear to my daughter's wedding. Although it seemed to fit well enough during construction, by the time it was done, it was HUGE, and I felt like I was swimming in a sea of (admittedly beautiful) batik fabric.
Hi Stephanie I just discovered your channel. You are very funny. 😂I loved the review on this dress as I have the reproduction- not opened it yet , maybe now I won’t 😳.
Personally, I'm happy they are telling what stitches to use. I did take home ec, years ago and my teacher was a wonderful woman, but sewing was only a small part of the class..... and that was ages ago, now home ec does not even exist here.
Thank you for burning it ! I absolutely hate the new version, I made it, adjusted it so much I got tired of looking at it, it fits much better than before adjusting it but still doesn’t look like the picture on the envelope . So, I’m using the fabric for scraps now .. I can’t believe Butterick misrepresent their supposedly vintage patterns so much . Shame on them 😡
First time watching your vid. Came here from Jen’ sewing room. One of my favorite rubies. I have the reproduction and have been meaning to give it a go. I don’t think I will even give it a try. Def a pattern to donate. Thanks for saving me money and time.
This is the first of your videos that I've watch. It showed up in my UA-cam recommendations, so I watched it. Loved it! Immediately subscribed & I'll be binge watching the rest of your videos.
You're a hoot to watch!! And thanks sooooo much for the comparison. I am SHOCKED at how much patterns have changed. WHY!!!! I really dont understand why they made such horrendous errors?? What is the reasoning behind this? Who knows.....
Love your content!🥰 And snarky attitude. I have some modern retro patterns. I made the V8812 and had to tweak it 4 times to get the bodice right. It still isn’t perfect. I have B5920, V2962, V2961 and V2960. I’m wanting to make V2960 and watched a video Angela Clayton did on it and she had issues too. After watching your videos I have decided that a muslin mock up is the best way to go for these “modern retro” patterns if you can’t or don’t want to spend money on the originals. Do you agree that this would be a good step to do when using these?
I like you. The ripping and singing and burning made me laugh so much. Personally, I never took sewing in school so only have the basic knowledge - so them stating which stitch to use means I can search on UA-cam and find :) I'm hoping the overalls pattern (vintage but bought new, so likely reproduction) I got will turn out well.
Loved your video! This is probably a stupid question, but why can’t the vintage patterns simply be re-printed by the company just as they were? Why must they be “reproduced” (not actually reproduced though) and changed? Anyhow, thank you for the video. I’m a subscriber now and look forward to seeing more!
I actually do think you're incorrect, I was able to teach myself to sew using modern patterns. Having exact details of which stitch to use where was extremely helpful. Compare that to Victorian sewing instructions that say "finish in the usual way" and people not knowing what the usual way was 100+ years later.
I can completely see where you are coming from! Thank you! I do agree that "finish in the usual way" is the MOST irritating thing I read when I look at pattern instructions. I am actually very thankful that you pointed this out, because it shows me where the big 4 are stepping in to be a "home ec" teacher of sorts.
I'm new to your videos and loving them! I agreed with everything you said. The mention of instructions I French got me thinking, "What do Asian patterns look like?"
😄As a newbie sewer at age 47 (despite years of knitting/needlework and, oh, sewing on humans in my day job as a surgeon), I need all the help I can get! TG for my wonderful instructor at the local fabric store or I wouldn't even know how to read the patterns!
Thank you for this video. I have the pattern and I am figuring out where I need to add to the pattern to have it fit and have enough coverage for the side breast .
I love that modern patterns have every step detailed- i didnt even know what a baste or selvage was when I started (and im still a beginner). as for the actual pattern, i think that butterick could have done better. However it is rather depressing trying to look up tutorials for this dress and just having people scrap it. I really wanted to try and make it work!
I completely respect all levels of sewist. I do sometimes go overboard with my roasting and I have done my best to reel it in during the last couple I did. I don’t want to discourage anyone from sewing! I want everyone to sew. Now for the modern on, check out Enchanted Rose Costumes. She did an entire sew along for the modern one to help folks that want to make it work.
Hi! I actually kind of appreciate the “over explanation” of modern patterns, since I’m only a high school student teaching myself how to sew. We are not taught even basics about sewing in schools, so it’s helpful to know what to look up.
If you really want to learn good sewing techniques, find some of the old how to sew books in thrift stores. They are really useful. Also use resources like UA-cam and blogs to see how other people do it, and how they interpret instructions.
The "half the constructed layout"/"finished line drawing" on the modern pattern is called a "flat". It is pretty standard in the modern fashion industry. It is meant to be an exact drawing if you were to lay the finished garment flat. And yes they are kinda boring looking but are meant to be essentially a technical drawing of a finished garment, including all seaming, gathering, details, etc. These drawings are usually given to manufacturers and aid them in production of the garments as per the designer's original intentions. I would assume the intention of including the flat on modern patterns is to help show the buyer/sewer what the garment looks like, especially as photos and drawings of the finished product may not give a complete/accurate representation and it is much harder to conceptualize what all the pattern pieces look like when sewn together. BUT it is nice to include a picture of the pattern pieces somewhere on or in the pattern, which I believe most modern patterns do. I think having both the flat and pattern pieces picture is helpful as a sewer!
I rely on the drawing to know if the back view is something I want to wear or if I would need to make it more modest to wear to work. Front of envelope does not always indicate how low the back goes.
As far as dumbed down/more meticulous instructions go, my poor little adhd brain that overheats when given two tasks simultaneously is very appreciative of modern patterns! Though sometimes it’s like yeah ok they could have said repeat step whatever instead of saying slipstitch 20 times
Completely agree! I have actually reviewed several more patterns since this video and acknowledged that I went too hard for the instructions in this one.
Hi Stephanie - thanks for this - I have the modern version and have been dying to make it - after watching this I will attempt to make it more "50's" before I go ahead. In the meantime - can you give us details on the gorgeous dress on the manican behind you? Love your channel 😍
So as someone who was thinking of doing this dress as my first ever pattern (on my own) and while using a machine basically on my own for the first time it having the slipstitch would be helpful, but also it probably didn't need to take up so much room on the pattern. Now seeing the vintage vs replica I don't know that I will do this dress as my first pattern because it seems like I won't actually get the dress I want unless I can find the vintage pattern.
I am so sorry. I know it can be such a bummer to desire to make something only to find out it won't work out. But I have traced off the original front and back pieces (the skirt is just 1/4 of a circle skirt). If you would like a copy please DM me on Instagram at BackroomFinds.
I have seen some questions on sewing forums that lead me to believe that many people REALLY need to have their hand held the whole way and probably wouldn't know to slip stitch unless told to do so. Specially for a pattern labeled as easy.
I will weigh in on the wordy instructions, I found they were very useful when I was learning to sew and taught me a lot of sewing techniques. I don’t use many purchased patterns but the strange dart is weird. Makes you wonder if they even made this before going into production.
I’ve been sewing since the fifties and used so many patterns. I cannot find a pattern now that remotely fits my actual size. I just tried to make a dress and it was as bad as the one you just described. I thought I was the problem. Thank you for this video. I threw my project away, now I wish I had burned it 😂
Thank you for coming along with me on this bumpy ride. This pattern was quite a doozy! Here is the playlist to the rest of the Vintage vs. Reproduction series: ua-cam.com/play/PLaG2bBTXx7U6tf1DHulYw50VgYvJadnUP.html
This video was great. That pattern deserved to be destroyed.
It would be great one day to see the vintage made, & the modern made. Then compare the actual garments side by side.
That was really funny when you set fire to it. :-))
I would have assumed that Butterick keep a copy of all their patterns they have printed. Hence they would have had the original and all the other file notes that went with it.
Hence why would Butterick make a different pattern to their original walkaway dress pattern.
I would liked to have seen you sew a dress from the old and modern walkaway patterns. By making a dress from each pattern you can give a review based upon your own experience.
I do not think long darts would look good on me, as I am 5'1'. I often have to shorten bodice patterns and a long dart would look horrible.
I think it would be really interesting to see both garments constructed and compared side by side.
Yes! I was hoping to see that in this video.
Yes please!
I thought we were going to see that to! I really want someone to do this!
@@lizw5587 I was curious about the changes that were done to the pattern for the repro. I don’t think they’ve changed the actual final look of the dress, but I do think they’ve left less leeway for alterations. At least from what I gather in this video. It’s nice to hear that it can work, but I do assume that you really should do a mock-up and know what alterations you typically make to their brands in order for the fit to work.
I would love to see the comparison, too. I'm wondering if the changes were made to adjust for modern bras and/or girdles. Also, women are heavier today, so maybe that's a reason. I suppose it comes down to individuality. If the original fits you better, then you love that one; if the new one fits better, then you love that one. I guess the moral is to always make a mock-up and adjust that before using your fashion fabric.
I love that the modern patterns assume that it's your first pattern and you have no prior sewing knowledge whatsoever. It makes it far more likely that anyone can pick up a pattern with the rudiments of how to operate a sewing machine create a garment.
You are so right! I occasionally forget the privilege I have with a mother who taught me from a young age how to sew. Thank you for sharing.
@@StephanieCanada I’m 61 and medically blind so I could use my phone to read the words of the instructions. Because I lost my sight 6 years I was already used to reading patterns so can follow words alone. Unfortunately as I can no longer see to cut the patterns independently I no longer make clothing unless someone else would cut the pieces out.
As a woman who constantly wants to get into sewing, gives it a good old college try, and fails each and every time, if they didn’t do this I’d never even try.
@@lynnenicholson6968 I wish I knew you in real life so I could cut out all of the things for you.
As a self-taught (advanced) beginner sewist (and non-native English speaker to beat), I am beyond thankful that modern pattern companies do include thorough instructions. I would most likely get completely lost without them, it gets tiring to have to google absolutely every small step and it can make one feel quite discouraged. Also, when I started I didn't know the names of any of the stitches, so the fact they actually mention what stitch to use at least gave me a way to look them up and learn. I don't think including the instructions really takes anything away from more experienced sewers either, they can just go by their intuition, as they probably mostly would anyway. :)
And that is a completely fair and valid point! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you for making this video, though, this is super useful information! I love the look of vintage clothing, but have always been a bit hesitant to buy actual vintage patterns, thinking they wouldn't fit right, and rather going for the reproductions. Seems like it might be the other way around though! Also, love your dog and the editing, I'm glad to have just found your channel! 😊
I agree. What Home Economics?
You're so sweet!
Oh, the saying is, 'non-native speaker to boot'
Wow for a non-native English speaker, you have the language and proper usage down! I too do not sew, although I know enough to make a Rag Quilt. Keep going, it is a skill worth having. My mum knit, and I wish I had learned that too. I may still pick it up. I do counted cross stitching, but that’s the end of my skills with a needle.
Wow! I never realized repro patterns could differ so much. I've always assumed they were re-issues of originals. They seem to be more like movies inspired by beloved books, with authenticity varying wildly!
I have a repro that clearly states reprint. It's a vaguely shapeless poncho pattern. Even the yardage is listed in a different way than most modern patterns.
The walk-away repro my first "vintage" pattern after learning to sew from modern patterns at age 12.
Catering to the lowest denomination of skill knowledge is a way to make sewing accessible to everyone. It does feel like pandering to those with higher skill levels but, as a 12 year old, I did not know a whole lot.
Gwynevieve, you make such a good point. I do tend to forget that I have an unnatural advantage since my mother started teaching me when I was 8. Thank you so much for sharing your outlook!
@@StephanieCanada keep up the great videos! I really like this series
I didn't have anyone in my family to teach me anything, and started sewing long before the internet, but after home ec disappeared, so I liked the extra wordage. But glad to hear that the repro pattern is a hellscape, because I could not get that thing to fit. It put me back years in my confidence
The repro pattern it's still a walk away dress, in the sense that you walk away from the pattern as fast as you can.
Nice Chicago adaptation btw 👌
For a person who has never sewn a garment breaking it down Barney style is a good thing. I have only been sewing for less than a year and had no clue what slip stitching was when I sewed my first pattern. I had to google it. Modern patterns that are harder don’t have as much detail because those are the patterns where you are expected to have general knowledge. Anything labeled “easy” should have that amount of detail.
I can see new sewists like me thinking this would be a good pattern to start with, so I get the new pattern having step-by-step instructions. Little did they realize they would be step-by-stepping into Pattern Hell.
Good way to drive away customers. Well played Corporate.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
That would be me! I have this pattern but haven’t used it yet. I just know for sure that I would have felt awful if I couldn’t make it look like the cover :( she is doing gods work!
🤣 step-by-stepping into Pattern Hell!! Love it!
The repro pattern was my first ever sewing project. Let’s just say the fit was terrible, and I had no idea how to fix it at the time.
I had a similar experience, different pattern, but also a vintage reproduction, the pattern was too long for my attention span.
In an age where I can google stuff and have 10 videos explaining to my how to sew a waistband I don't need a confusing page of instructions breaking down everything into small details, I need an outline of all the steps like in the vintage pattern.
All the ease in the pattern also made it so that the skirt that was made for a 30 inch waist was wide enough to turn it into a wrap skirt and I just abandoned the top.
I did enjoy seeing that there even a difference. Silly me, I automatically assumed they just used the "EXACT" same pattern. This is a big deal. So can we conclude the vintage patterns are not truly brought back the same. A game changer for sure. Thank you so much. And yes of course I did subscribe.
One thing about the directions this is a beginner vintage pattern so I say the more directions the better , the problem I had with this dress is the frumpy frumpy fit
Fair point! I guess I assume too much in some cases. Thank you for pointing out that some folks really are starting from 0.
@@StephanieCanada I bought this pattern years ago when I’d only ever sewn pajama pants so there ya go 😀
@@Dizzyknitsandcurls it made the boobs look like granny's 😃
@@snookiedoo 😀😂😂
Agreed! A lot of people who are new to sewing want to make something meaningful to start - not a pillowcase or something - but they need really complete instructions to be successful. I don't see the harm in including as much info as possible, given it's neatly organized.
Oh my gosh that is a total of 8 inches difference in length!! That was also the best time out I have ever seen. Lol I'm still laughing as I type this. 🤣
It is just plain insanity! “These dresses are so much shorter”, well they ain’t supposed to be. 🤣🤣🤣
If they wanted a shorter skirt they could have added it as an optional cutting/adjustment line inside the original. But first do no harm, you know?
I knew what to expect, but didn't realize the differences would be so drastic for a 3-piece pattern. I've made the reproduction walkaway and mine was wearable but didn't look like the envelope. Thanks for posting this.
Here because RachelMaksy made this and I want one too, the come ts said you're the one to talk to about getting it to fit my 21st century knowledge and needs :)
Aww thank you!! I woke up to all these new comments and was wondering what happened. I am trying to help folks make the vintage from these videos. I hope I can help you too!
For this particular pattern (one a VERY NEW, much beginner might use) I think specifying a slipstitch and other minutia is a good thing. I also think explicit details are never a bad thing for patterns. Seasoned sewists might get irritated by it but the beginner will always be appreciative for that sort of thing.
We didn’t have HomeEc or any sort of cooking, sewing, informational IRL classes in my high-school so until I started teaching myself I had no idea what a slipstitch even was and something like this would’ve been great as something from which to start.
Anyway, just my two cents but I think that might be more helpful than aggravating. 😬
From my experience, beginners who are just starting to sew but want to make a full garment as a way of learning don't know the names of different stitches and don't know which stitches are best for certain areas on a garment or types of fabric. So in my opinion there is no harm in including MORE information and definitions especially in a pattern that is supposed to be very easy/beginner friendly. Adding a term like "slipstitch" to the instructions also allows beginners to look up how to do that from other resources. Now that's in their knowledge bank and next time they can breeze right over it in the pattern.
Anyone with lots of sewing knowledge can (and likely will) skip over that information and use their own information to determine what's best for the finish they're going for and it hurts no one to include it. On the other hand, if you market something as easy enough for beginners and don't make it as beginner friendly as possible, it does hurt the early sewists who can feel lost and overwhelmed if there isn't a lot of guidance.
(this is all ignoring the fact that this particular pattern is Bad because that's not the instructions or glossary's fault)
Like many others have commented, I would also like to see the comparison between the dresses as sewn. (I've made the reproduction Walkaway Dress, and it did not fit well.) It would be even more useful to make the dresses and see how they fit and drape differently, and maybe show how to fit the modern pattern better, since it looks like the vintage pattern might be hard to find. As for modern patterns having more in the way of instructions, I will never poo-poo that. I am an experienced sewist, but I always appreciate those extras (even if I don't always follow them!). I have recently started using indie patterns, which often give these extras for less experienced sewists. Yes, there are books with techniques, but if it's right in the pattern? Heck, include it.
Thankyou. I attempted to make this dress from the repro pattern, I never got past the toile, the whole thing has been in the attic for over 5 years jeering at me from it's lofty position. I consider myself to be a reasonable sewist so wasn't afraid when I started - that soon changed. After watching this I feel so much better about it all, I now know the reason I had to 'walk away' from it were butterick's hideous drafting not my own sewing skills. Thankyou so much for sharing.
I am so glad I was able to help!
As a sewist who started in the sixties I remember seeing this type of pattern. Reminds me of those 3 armhole wrap around dresses. Love to see that pattern again.
I saw Rachel Makes make this dress and fell in love with the lookout she got hosed with the reproduction. Thankfully a kind soul pointed us here. Now I know to hunt for the OG pattern.
Same! I got so excited when I saw Maksy's video, since I have this pattern from my grandmother and have been planning on making it, but I was so disappointed with the outcome - I found the same comment and was totally relieved that I can save the pattern!
I actually got done with tracing out the front and back piece (the skirt is literally 1/4 of a circle skirt) if you would like a copy just DM me on Instagram at BackroomFinds.
@@StephanieCanada That's so kind of you. Thank you. I actually found a vintage pattern, but it's a bust 30. And sister, I haven't been a bust 30 in at least 15 years. I've traced the pattern on paper and I'm going to upsize it now.
@@amandawilliams5079 AMAZING! I believe in you! You can do it! If you are on Instagram tag me when you are done, I would love to see it!
@@erinnmcnew9080 I made several dresses with several closure in the front but I believe the only trick at this dress is to add the bias-ribbon around. And this worked at my creations from the 1rst time.
For your slipstitch observation: I think its necessary because people are more likely to choose to learn to sew and are going to patterns versus texts to jump headfirst into it. As someone who learned at home, then went to school for apparel design - one of my biggest complaints during and post grad was that though they taught us to drape/patternmake and we were graded on sewing and construction, we were not properly taught how to finish garments. We were taught to serge all pertinent pieces, topstitch, understitch, etc, but once we got into making out own designs it was kind of jarring to know what to do next to take a custom garment from muslin to finished product. Do I do a horsehair hem? When do I use a lapped versus an invisible zip? Are there rules to this or do I just choose the finish I know how to do and make it work even if the dress has one shoulder and I've only worked on symmetrical garments with facings and full linings? I'm still not confident with many finishes which I feel inhibits my design style so I use patterns for new ideas and proper technique to enable me to create more of my own designs in the future.
As far as the pattern difference from the perspective of darting, etc isn't surprising because busts are lifted differently in modern undergarments - I have no idea why they would make it 5in shorter aside from working off of a standard sheet of measurements instead of a proper fit model and/or the fact that Midlength/below the knee isn't as trendy and easier pattern layout on available fabric widths.
As someone who studies Dressmaking and making patterns from scratch from Bunka, I can positively say I like the vintage one better in terms on actually having shape (The arm holes have been curved for a softer shape, the skirt pattern would also be more aligned with the fabric grain, not just for good draping, it would be easier to cut and ensures a more consistent shape and the darts are larger for a slim effect in case anyone is curious). The reproduction was clearly designed to be "comfortable" and "easy". ( The skirt is clearly made by someone who wanted to make it easier but I have never seen a waist curve so....narrow.)
* never have seen a waist curve * - THIS is THE comment of the entire video.
@@StephanieCanada Hahaha, Thanks! Based on the skirt pattern alone, it just reads as a regular full circle skirt but the waist area should be shaped as a half moon instead of "U" shaped where it might be hard for a beginner seamstress where the curve can drive anyone crazy. The Vintage one because of the extended line on waist curve would create the soft "pleat" in the front, as like the illustration.
So, I do feel like they dumb down the instructions in modern patterns, but I feel like they do that because most people who know what they're doing don't take the time to actually read all of the instructions (they just glace through for seam allowances). That being said, the patterns should NOT be THAT drastically different. The fit won't work and ultimately you're wearing a vintage inspired gown instead of a replication... They need to do better (the company, not the poor minimum wage worker)
The lack of reading may also be a part of it for sure. And agreed , even if changing fit for “modern” undergarments, it shouldn’t be THAT different.
Beginning Sewer here. These details are super helpful because I'm teaching myself. I was home schooled and my mother didn't want to teach me to machine sew and she didn't hand sew.
Oh no! 😱 I bought the replica! Did not make the dress for now, but now I know I’m going to watch your video over an over to adjust the pattern or maybe one day I will find the original 😍, I’ve bought some real vintage pattern on Etsy and oh how happy I am now after watching you! Love this video, I just discovered you today through a link on a SewRena video, love from the Netherlands.
My first SuperThanks! Jesus what a difference in pattern. Thank you for your insight, wisdom, experience, and brilliant examples! ❤
Having plenty of instructions is super important for me personally. I can sew something simple, but I could never just figure out on my own what kind of stitch is the most appropriate in any given situation. So for me that is a huge plus. This pattern is mostly likely tailored (pun intended) for beginners and not for the advanced seamstress.
Completely agree! I have actually reviewed several more patterns since this video and acknowledged that I went too hard for the instructions in this one.
@@StephanieCanada oh that sounds great, I'll check out more of your vids for sure!
WOW! What a difference. All though it would've added insult to your injury, I would've like to see the 2 sewn up side by side.
For the patterns on my list that are lesser known I will be making up toile's side by side, but for these super well know (and made ) ones, I am just doing the patterns. However, I DO plan on making up some as this series goes along.
Stephanie, I came across you via Kathy Bower....what a rabbit hole I have traveled. During the last 2 plus years I was looking for a way to be dressed without being in a "house dress" or pants. So I came across my pattern stash that I had purchased several vintage style patterns. I remember the older women in my family wearing the Walk Away dress in all material configurations from something to do laundry in to going to dinner in. I thought, when I bought the pattern what a fun dress to have.....how wrong I was! I have been sewing since I was 10 years old (at the knee of my seamstress great grandmother). So I thought I had gone absolutely crazy when I first made my reproduction and it didn't even come close to looking like the walkaway that I remembered. Then,, I thought I had made huge mistakes in altering the pattern....I was thinking old age and the pandemic had stripped me of all sewing abilities. Your video has renewed my self worth!!! With some of your comparisons I will be making a new pattern since the vintage is NOWHERE out there...or I don't want to pay the price. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your pattern.
Because of a UK sewing program called The Great Sewing Bee, you could find versions of these sewn up dresses at Charity shops around the UK. My mum made this dress up and the fit was terrible.
I got this pattern after watching it on Sewing Bee 🙈
I made this pattern almost 30 years ago and I actually loved it. I made it from a denim print (bright white background with cherries all over it, I used matching red bias tape). I also did as I always have done and got lots of extra fabric and I measured the length of the pattern waist to hem and added plenty to be able to make it longer, thereby avoiding the length issue. What I found was that the waist ended up too small, although I was newly pregnant t with my second child, so was a bit puffy around the middle. I solved this by putting elastic at the back so I could hook the back bit together with comfortable elastic, which moved much better than I imagine the pattern would have. And then for the front waist, I used bias tape and added some loops which I threaded to make a corset style detail and I just used more bias tape sewn into a ribbon to tie it and it ended up making a pretty detail at the waist.
I loved that dress so much, too. It really was a beautiful dress. I wonder if these changes made it so it was more wearable than the modern pattern would have been if I had made it in the correct size…
😂 It did have it coming, but I still had a full body wince watching a pattern get torn lol. I'm so happy you reviewed this one! I was anticipating it and you delivered! Thanks 💜
Honestly, I have never intentionally torn up a pattern before but this one earned it. Plus all my friends who have struggled with this pattern earned a well-deserved destruction scene.
LOVE roasting the crap out of it, I am here for that. THX Stephanie
I so loved the "it had it coming" so good!!. Though I do like having the suggested stitch to work on the garments/ projects. It's very helpful and then I can look up and learn more stitches.
I am glad that the extra instructions are helpful for some. Occasionally I do forget that some folks need these.
😂😂😂 This is great! OMG! As a person who makes patterns, the modern versions drive me insane! BAD ARMHOLE SHAPES! BAD WAISTLINE SHAPES! BAD COLLAR ROLLS! 🤯🤯🤯 I swear I think there are executives sitting it the board rooms saying “we have to simplify, make it “easier”, fit everyone” and in the process nothing fits, shapes are crap, and it’s HARDER to sew something that looks good. Ugh! Ok, getting off the soap box to say thank you for a hilarious and truthful video. Great Job and I am glad I found your channel. 👍🏻
Preach it sister!!! I tried this pattern back in my infancy sewing days and it went all kinds of wrong, and now I see why. I thought it was because I didn't know how to do bust adjustments yet so it was fitting me wonky.
I love how you presented this video. Your humor reminded me of my daughter making comparisons.
Thank you, i had a wonderful giggle this evening.
Absolutely love the video. I am flabbergasted at the difference between the two patterns. The insertion of the song from Chicago was perfect.
Thank you so much! I really did have a blast with this one, whilst being flabbergasted at the difference.
Watching this video makes me feel sooo much better about the struggles I had making the dress from the reproduction pattern.
Thank you for watching Paula! I am happy to help clear up some of the frustrations and place them back on Butterick....
Out of curiosity, have you ever sewn the two different patterns (vintage & modern) and is there a difference between the two with fit or appearance?
I plan to in the future, but this one didn’t merit it as so much has been said about the reproduction and the original.
Wow, I’m amazed at the differences between these. Thanks for showing that.
I appreciate your analysis. It illustrates to me the value of working with actual vintage patterns.
This GD retro pattern maded me quit sewing and start drinking again. So glad to hear that I wasn't alone in my frustrations!
honestly, i appreciate them telling me which stitch tonuse because i would have no idea otherwise. i am still learning so lean heavily into the pattern's instructions.
And that is something I have changed in future videos. Because I want to encourage everyone to sew, not just those who already know how.
I have now watched only two of your videos but you had me laughing non-stop. You are funny, great on camera personality.......you are binge-worthy!!!!!!
The dress is so beautiful on the cover! Why did they butcher it?? It seems like the original is very tricky to find. I wonder if it would be cheating if I bought the remake and did my best to use it and your video draft a more accurate pattern to the original. Thanks for showing us this!!
Right?! I feel like they went too far into the “modernization” of the reproduction. I am happy to help where I can.
REALLY glad I watched this. Why even call it a reproduction at that point! I think I'll try my hand at patterning the thing myself from my block and see how I do rather than trying to make the modern one work.
So fun, only just found you. so going to watch your other ones. You have made me smile as i go off to work.. :D
Aww thank you! Welcome to my tiny corner of the internet. I am so glad I made you smile!
OMG... This explains everything. I can't believe how drastic the difference is. I had to do a whole weird alteration in order for the dress to fit somewhat properly. Thank you so much for the validation.
Wow! I’ve been sewing clothing most of my life and when I made that reproduction pattern, I couldn’t understand where I was going wrong. I took it apart 3 times and ended up rolling it up and hiding it under a pile of fabric. This video is sooo validating! Thank-you😁
I was surprised at the difference between the patterns. Thanks for the comparison. That opened my eyes.
I'm about to make the modern repro for the 4th time, from novelty Halloween prints. I made the first two out of sheets from thrift stores (polka dot fronts, pink back/wrap skirt for one, yellow for the other. The third was my family tartan with a navy blue back/wrap skirt).
A few things I've learned, but YMMV: I had to adjust the arm scythe so that my bra doesn't show on the sides, and basted in the darts to make sure I liked the way they fit, and really REALLY leaned on them for fit so that it didn't turn out frumpy. I also had to open up the waist, because that weird "U" shape doesn't exist anywhere on my body, so I can see why the vintage skirt pattern would be better. I also ended up making it longer, because I could tell just by holding the piece up to me that it was going to be shorter than my middle aged legs needed.
In fairness, I've never sewn a Butterick pattern that wasn't hugely problematic from start to finish... but I end up with a slew of them when JoAnn waves them under my nose for .99 cents.
I can’t plug in a sewing machine, but I love watching you!🤣🤣🤣🤣
This was the first dress I ever tried making and ughhh. The differences in the bodice piece are INSANE. I wonder if it also has to do with the different shapewear women wore in the 50's? Conical bras and girdles/step-ins would have made pattern cutting very different to today. And yes, it's INFURIATING how repro patterns (and modern dress patterns in general) cut the waistline SO HIGH. I want a dress to sit at my actual waist, not up at my diaphragm. I've learned to just add an extra inch or so to the bottom of all bodice pieces.
Thank you for this video it cheered me up.
I made this dress using the "modern" pattern , i had to remove the front center darts, add 8 extra inchs onto the bias binding to close it around the front and back and lengthen the skirt by 3 inchs to be acceptable, i also had to alter the skirt "waist" so it wasnt such a U shape for it to fit my frame better. i used the size 16-22 and used red and black polycotton with corrisponding cotton coloured bias tapes and found dispite having made multiple dresses using modern patterns that is "walk away dress" was a pain in the tush, i may need to burn it like you did yours if the next time i make it with my added notes of alterations doesnt work out.
Oh my goodness! It sounds like you went through QUITE the ordeal! I hope it ended up working up in the finished look for you.
I just started sewing during quarantine and I got the newer version of this 😅 I haven’t tried it yet but I’m exited to make it work somehow! This video helps a lot, thank you 💕
I do supremely hope it does help (ok, maybe not the ending), but the measurements.
Marika from Enchanted Rose Costumes has a youtube tutorial for this dress pattern. It is awesome because she talks about, and shows all the alterations she had to do to make it work. Perhaps that will help you.
This blog post might help a little! This sewist altered hers to actually look like the cover drawing, just Google “how to make butterick 4790 look like the pattern cover” it’s by a blog called edelweiss patterns and on a different article she also does a sew along! I haven’t done it but I probably will eventually
@@thetimelesscostumemaker1266 thanks a lot! I’ll be sure to watch it!
@@AnastasiaR thank you! I really appreciate the recommendations, I will need all the help I can get😁 💕
My mom taught me to sew and we always went up at least one yard, or at least to the next yard mark if it says something like 1 1/8 yards, that way you have wiggle room and god forbid you do something wrong and need to recut a piece/want to fussy cut to match patterns or have the pattern go a certain way like I did with my rainbow dress.
Also I've loved looking at and making my vintage patterns and they have fit SO much better, many of them I have found at my local thrift stores and they are so much easier for me to understand and so much easier to make in general.
absolutely EXCELLENT. This is what new sewists need to see. Being vintage myself. . .I have lived the originals. And I feel for all those who have bought the repros. You are doing a great service. Keep it up.
Thank you so much! I am trying to keep a level head when I do these, but I fear the more I do the angrier I will get at the big 4.
Thank you for an informative video. I have just found your channel and now I am going to binge this afternoon. I haven’t made this dress yet. I have a box of old(vintage) I am going to look for it now. I liked your cleansing fire, some things rate being turned into ash.
I made the reproduction one and had to make a brand new front because the underarm was so wonky. I am getting the vintage one (in any size) and will grade it up and make a proper one. Thanks for showing us the difference. IT's SO much!
It really was!
thank you for this. i finally gave into the presure and just baught the reperduction. i have a similar shape to Stephanie except that i am only 5'1. my torso doesn't have room for the front thing.
I Absolutely Love this Dress! Since the original is not the current pattern being sold. Wondering if a PDF print out can be shared? What is the copyright time on a pattern which is no longer in print? Also like you, I am a slightly bigger gal and would love to be able to get pattern in "my" size. What do you think?
I mean the item that was under copyright was the cover image, since they were making a pattern to be used companies couldn't copyright the pattern itself. However, I have traced out the original, but I do not feel skilled enough in grading that I could scale up for others. If you want a paper copy of the front and back (the skirt was literally just 1/4 of a circle skirt) DM me on Instagram at Backroom Finds
This video was awesome! Also it’s surprising how much I learn about patterns from these videos xx
That is my goal! Not only showing Simplicity what they could do better, but also to show others how the patterns work.
@@StephanieCanada I had a dress I was going to make in December but anxiety finally went to start yesterday but it was so confusing even my mom didn’t understand and it said easy on the front! So no sewing I have picked 2 new patterns from my collection and am waiting for zips then I can start them, why do they make them so hard!?
Absolutely enjoyed this video. Especially after you made us all wait 2 WEEKS for it!!😤 No worries🤗, we all know you're back at work. Btw, it was worth the wait. I'll admit it, I squealed with delight and excitement when I saw it come up. Then watched it immediately. Thanks for such fun and informative content.
Im new sewer and appreciate more info on instructions. I’m self learning along with I watch you tube because no classes available Maybe some day I’ll need less written instructions. Your very funny
It's really nice to see exactly where the differences are on the patterns and holy crow those darts. I am now itching to make them both, because I've only made the repro.
I made this to wear to my daughter's wedding. Although it seemed to fit well enough during construction, by the time it was done, it was HUGE, and I felt like I was swimming in a sea of (admittedly beautiful) batik fabric.
Hi Stephanie I just discovered your channel. You are very funny. 😂I loved the review on this dress as I have the reproduction- not opened it yet , maybe now I won’t 😳.
Wow - crazy!!! I never realized they could be so different - what a great video!
Personally, I'm happy they are telling what stitches to use. I did take home ec, years ago and my teacher was a wonderful woman, but sewing was only a small part of the class..... and that was ages ago, now home ec does not even exist here.
Yeah, my exact thoughts on this issue.
Oh no I have the reproduction pattern 😭 is there anything I can do to make it better if I make it? Besides just rebuying the vintage
Thank you for burning it ! I absolutely hate the new version, I made it, adjusted it so much I got tired of looking at it, it fits much better than before adjusting it but still doesn’t look like the picture on the envelope . So, I’m using the fabric for scraps now .. I can’t believe Butterick misrepresent their supposedly vintage patterns so much . Shame on them 😡
First time watching your vid. Came here from Jen’ sewing room. One of my favorite rubies. I have the reproduction and have been meaning to give it a go. I don’t think I will even give it a try. Def a pattern to donate. Thanks for saving me money and time.
I often get a little more fabric than called for too. I'm also plus sized, & want to make sure I'm covered both ways.
That ending totally got me! I've hard horror stories about this dress- super happy to finally understand the differences!
I am happy to have provided some answers for everyone! And the ending was just as fun for me.
This is the first of your videos that I've watch. It showed up in my UA-cam recommendations, so I watched it. Loved it! Immediately subscribed & I'll be binge watching the rest of your videos.
It’s good to have all the detailed instruction. I’m totally self taught: no family sewists and no school course. No UA-cam when I started either. Lol
You're a hoot to watch!! And thanks sooooo much for the comparison. I am SHOCKED at how much patterns have changed. WHY!!!! I really dont understand why they made such horrendous errors?? What is the reasoning behind this? Who knows.....
Love your content!🥰 And snarky attitude. I have some modern retro patterns. I made the V8812 and had to tweak it 4 times to get the bodice right. It still isn’t perfect. I have B5920, V2962, V2961 and V2960. I’m wanting to make V2960 and watched a video Angela Clayton did on it and she had issues too. After watching your videos I have decided that a muslin mock up is the best way to go for these “modern retro” patterns if you can’t or don’t want to spend money on the originals. Do you agree that this would be a good step to do when using these?
Butterick is one pattern company I check the pattern pieces and look for mistakes 1st. Usually they're there.🤦♀️
I love this. And I love the purple dress behind you. What’s that one? I just ran across your channel and I need I watch more of your videos.
Wow, what a difference! Love your channel!
I like you. The ripping and singing and burning made me laugh so much. Personally, I never took sewing in school so only have the basic knowledge - so them stating which stitch to use means I can search on UA-cam and find :)
I'm hoping the overalls pattern (vintage but bought new, so likely reproduction) I got will turn out well.
I love your videos, your personality is so much fun, and the videos are so informative!
Loved your video! This is probably a stupid question, but why can’t the vintage patterns simply be re-printed by the company just as they were? Why must they be “reproduced” (not actually reproduced though) and changed? Anyhow, thank you for the video. I’m a subscriber now and look forward to seeing more!
I actually do think you're incorrect, I was able to teach myself to sew using modern patterns. Having exact details of which stitch to use where was extremely helpful. Compare that to Victorian sewing instructions that say "finish in the usual way" and people not knowing what the usual way was 100+ years later.
I can completely see where you are coming from! Thank you! I do agree that "finish in the usual way" is the MOST irritating thing I read when I look at pattern instructions. I am actually very thankful that you pointed this out, because it shows me where the big 4 are stepping in to be a "home ec" teacher of sorts.
I'm new to your videos and loving them! I agreed with everything you said. The mention of instructions I French got me thinking, "What do Asian patterns look like?"
😄As a newbie sewer at age 47 (despite years of knitting/needlework and, oh, sewing on humans in my day job as a surgeon), I need all the help I can get! TG for my wonderful instructor at the local fabric store or I wouldn't even know how to read the patterns!
I always struggle with the armscye/bust shaping in Butterick and some other modern patterns. After seeing this comparison, NOW I know why.
Thank you for this video. I have the pattern and I am figuring out where I need to add to the pattern to have it fit and have enough coverage for the side breast .
I love that modern patterns have every step detailed- i didnt even know what a baste or selvage was when I started (and im still a beginner). as for the actual pattern, i think that butterick could have done better. However it is rather depressing trying to look up tutorials for this dress and just having people scrap it. I really wanted to try and make it work!
I completely respect all levels of sewist. I do sometimes go overboard with my roasting and I have done my best to reel it in during the last couple I did. I don’t want to discourage anyone from sewing! I want everyone to sew. Now for the modern on, check out Enchanted Rose Costumes. She did an entire sew along for the modern one to help folks that want to make it work.
Hi! I actually kind of appreciate the “over explanation” of modern patterns, since I’m only a high school student teaching myself how to sew. We are not taught even basics about sewing in schools, so it’s helpful to know what to look up.
If you really want to learn good sewing techniques, find some of the old how to sew books in thrift stores. They are really useful. Also use resources like UA-cam and blogs to see how other people do it, and how they interpret instructions.
Thank You!!!!! I thought it was me! I feel so much better now!!!
The "half the constructed layout"/"finished line drawing" on the modern pattern is called a "flat". It is pretty standard in the modern fashion industry. It is meant to be an exact drawing if you were to lay the finished garment flat. And yes they are kinda boring looking but are meant to be essentially a technical drawing of a finished garment, including all seaming, gathering, details, etc. These drawings are usually given to manufacturers and aid them in production of the garments as per the designer's original intentions. I would assume the intention of including the flat on modern patterns is to help show the buyer/sewer what the garment looks like, especially as photos and drawings of the finished product may not give a complete/accurate representation and it is much harder to conceptualize what all the pattern pieces look like when sewn together. BUT it is nice to include a picture of the pattern pieces somewhere on or in the pattern, which I believe most modern patterns do. I think having both the flat and pattern pieces picture is helpful as a sewer!
I rely on the drawing to know if the back view is something I want to wear or if I would need to make it more modest to wear to work. Front of envelope does not always indicate how low the back goes.
Anna, thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate the insight you provided.
Thank you, Stephanie!
As far as dumbed down/more meticulous instructions go, my poor little adhd brain that overheats when given two tasks simultaneously is very appreciative of modern patterns! Though sometimes it’s like yeah ok they could have said repeat step whatever instead of saying slipstitch 20 times
Completely agree! I have actually reviewed several more patterns since this video and acknowledged that I went too hard for the instructions in this one.
Hi Stephanie - thanks for this - I have the modern version and have been dying to make it - after watching this I will attempt to make it more "50's" before I go ahead. In the meantime - can you give us details on the gorgeous dress on the manican behind you? Love your channel 😍
So as someone who was thinking of doing this dress as my first ever pattern (on my own) and while using a machine basically on my own for the first time it having the slipstitch would be helpful, but also it probably didn't need to take up so much room on the pattern.
Now seeing the vintage vs replica I don't know that I will do this dress as my first pattern because it seems like I won't actually get the dress I want unless I can find the vintage pattern.
I am so sorry. I know it can be such a bummer to desire to make something only to find out it won't work out. But I have traced off the original front and back pieces (the skirt is just 1/4 of a circle skirt). If you would like a copy please DM me on Instagram at BackroomFinds.
I have seen some questions on sewing forums that lead me to believe that many people REALLY need to have their hand held the whole way and probably wouldn't know to slip stitch unless told to do so. Specially for a pattern labeled as easy.
So many people learn to see from the pattern guide or UA-cam today. In my case,
I’m re-learning to sew and I appreciate the step-by-step.
Yes, a lot of people are trying to teach themselves and you gotta start somewhere!
I will weigh in on the wordy instructions, I found they were very useful when I was learning to sew and taught me a lot of sewing techniques. I don’t use many purchased patterns but the strange dart is weird. Makes you wonder if they even made this before going into production.
I’ve been sewing since the fifties and used so many patterns. I cannot find a pattern now that remotely fits my actual size. I just tried to make a dress and it was as bad as the one you just described. I thought I was the problem. Thank you for this video. I threw my project away, now I wish I had burned it 😂