Rate the Dress: 1880s cut velvet
The bold patterning is balanced both by the muted colours, and by a very severe, fitted silhouette, which bursts out into typical 1880s extravagance only at the hem, cuffs, and in the draping of the bustle.
The bold patterning is balanced both by the muted colours, and by a very severe, fitted silhouette, which bursts out into typical 1880s extravagance only at the hem, cuffs, and in the draping of the bustle.
While my ratafia recipe isn’t quite the same as the one used at the famous Pot and Pineapple confectionary shop on Berkeley Square, there must be some of the magic of that noted shop in it, as the reviews from the many friends I have tested these on say they are so good that a nightingale will indeed sing as you eat them!
It’s the absolute best part of a pattern launch: time to show off the tester makes! Pattern testers are super fabulous from our end, because they help us ensure we deliver you the best possible pattern. They ask about instructions that are confusing. They provide feedback on the fit on a whole range of bodies. Based on their input we’re able to smooth off any final rough corners, and adjust the fit to make sure it will work for as many people as possible straight out of the packet – and that we have good fit and alteration guidance for when it doesn’t. Pattern testers are super fabulous for you because their photos show what the pattern looks like styled in a whole range of different ways, on a whole range of bodies, in different fabrics. There are always testers who do gorgeous things with the pattern that never even occurred to me! So inspirational! 💛 So we are so very, very grateful to the people who are willing to pattern test, because their input …