[Deborah]

The center front facing of the Birthday Party dress is wider than the dress. I am making a size 5 and have basted the box pleats. The facing is 3 inches wider than the dress. Any suggestions?

[Deborah]

The facing measures exactly the same width of the inset before pleating. This seems odd??

[Liesl Gibson]

Hi Deborah,

I’m not in the studio today, but if I recall correctly you need to sew the facing to the dress BEFORE pleating it, don’t you? I don’t have the instructions in front of me to check this, but I’m fairly certain this is the case. That may account for the issue.

If I’m not understanding, can you provide a more in-depth description of the problem or attach a photo? It’s difficult to imagine what’s going on without seeing it.

There are photos and more details of how to complete this step here. Seeing the photos may help you see what the difference is between what you have and what the garment should look like at this step:

https://oliverands.com/forums/topic.php?id=47&page=2#post-166

This comment may also give you some help:

https://oliverands.com/forums/topic.php?id=47&page=2#post-1649

I hope that helps.

Cheers,

Liesl

[Deborah]

Thanks for responding especially since you are not in the studio today. It looks like the only way to account for the extra width of the facing is to sew it to the dress and then do the pleating. It just seemed to me that putting the facing in *after* the pleats would hold the pleats in place better. Thanks

[jaimielaura]

I am also having difficulty with the facing. The facing center piece that goes over the dress center piece is about one inch wider than it should be. Why?

[Mama_Knowles]

I am not sure of hand what happened with yours but I have made the size 5 with no problems. The facings were the correct size. Maybe perhaps the pleats are the wrong size? If they are off the facings will off too.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mama_knowles03/14230488172/in/set-72157644353915449

[Sarvi]

Can you tell us what size you’re making? I have both ranges for this pattern, I think, and I can have a peek.

[Nicole]

Do make sure you read back through all the topics on this pattern.

The facing and bodice sort of ‘wrap around’ itself to make a back placket. You are definitely not the first person to get a wee bit confused with this.