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Annelaine Patterns Kids Firecracker Dress - Pattern Review

About a year ago, Annelaine patterns had a going out of business sale. It makes me sad when patterns companies close up! Though I will admit I hadn't purchased from them before they were going out of business, I bought a bunch of their patterns in their closing sale, after all it was my last chance! Though it does seem like they are still around, their website is still up? Not sure what is going on as I received many emails telling me I had to download the patterns by a specific date. If you want this pattern act fast!

So far the only pattern I have actually made from this pattern buying frenzy, is the kids Firecracker Dress. I really love the cute cross back of this pattern! I would 100% have bought this in my size if they had it and made it for myself.


Directions

I am a fairly experienced sewist and a lot of times I can put a pattern together without paying much attention to the directions. However, make sure you read the directions and I would even say to read all of them before you start as the attachment of the bands and back straps is quite complicated.

I made two of these dresses last year and this year, I made a third for another niece. Not only did I put it together wrong last year but I did it again this year (after sewing it wrong, I remembered I did it wrong the exact same way last year).

The directions could be a little better, you sew the bands on but are supposed to leave a gap at the end to later sew the bands together. Each time I have sewn them all the way to the end because I didn't read the following lines telling me not to do that. Usually I read a line, do it, then read the next line.

Also the directions on the elastic in the back is a little confusing. There is one telling you to "open dress up and place back piece face down" that wasn't very clear that the front should be upside down and right side down and the photo wasn't easy to distinguish as it was too close up to see how the dress was really positioned.

All in all, the directions could be a little better in my opinion but you can probably figure it out if you have some experience with patterns.


I keep trying to think of a better way to attach the bands, after the dress is fully constructed but I haven't come up with anything. If you have an idea please comment!


Sizing

I have made the size 3 twice and the size 6. They run a little bigger than RTW in the same kid's sizes in my experience. I picked the sizes for the first two I made based on measurements but this new one, well, this niece lives 1,000 miles away so...she is currently in a 3T so I made a 3T. Hopefully it will fit her.

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