egl_archive

Yes yet another F+F review, but this is my first post and I just got a large order in (what I call large anyways), so I thought it would be appropriate. I hope i do this right!!

The items included in this post are:

"Bookish Beauty" Classic Lolita:Steel Boned High Waist Open Back Skirt
"Princess Portrait": Classical Lolita High Waist Steel Boned Corset 2pcs Skirt Set
Classical Gothic Lolita:Bustle Tiered Cotton Skirt
Dolly Sweet Lolita: Tiered flared skirt
"Time Traveler" Steampunk Lolita Coattail Double-Layer Skirt
Classical Lolita Pleated Lapel Smooth Cotton Blouse
Elegant Gothic Unisex Stripe Cotton Blouse & Jabot
Gothic Lolita Stand Collar Cotton Shirt with Coattail

so here's my first review!! I'll try to be succinct, I fine toothed combed these items to the best of my sewing knowledge :D

Shipping. On time. All of the items I ordered where under the "instant shipping" category, bar one. so of course this meant that, that one item took the full 3 weeks to be completed. this doesn't bother me so much, but to those who think that this would make the process quicker, it doesn't. never the less, the items where shipped of within the "making time" of three weeks, and arrived at my door on the 5th day after being labeled as shipped. so definitely on time.

What they arrived in shocked me a little, all 9 of my items came in a grey plastic postal package. I don't know how they managed to get everything in there, but they did!! I probably would have preferred them to be in a bag a little less squashier because it took quite some time to iron out all the creases. the package was not damaged in anyway on arrival.

all items came in the normal fan plus friend bags. individually wrapped apart from the one item which was a two piece set.

Communication: Excellent. It took maybe 3 days on average for them to respond but where very helpful and answered my questions well. I typed my e-mail address in wrong when I placed the order, and was a bit frightened when I couldn't log on to check the status of my order, and wasn't receiving any e-mails. I got in contact with them, and they found my error for me. all fixed up. Then later I made a second order before the first was shipped, and shortly after i received an e-mail asking me if i wanted to combine the order. Shortly after I agreed I was refunded the excess postage costs.

"Bookish Beauty" Classic Lolita:Steel Boned High Waist Open Back Skirt

first of all I was very excited about this item and, but over all I was very disappointed. Here are the notes that I made on this item when I un-packaged it. Disclaimer for un-experienced buyers, (this was me, since this was my first loli order) a "detachable bow-knot ribbon" is not a head bow. live and learn hey.

not a very nice suedette, very thin.
all edges are over locked.
embroidery is beautiful bit is not gold metallic, its a matte lemon or 'old gold' colour (this was the main sticking point with me, I was expecting gold, and that's what I wanted)
lace is average but it is passable, it still looks good and suits the style, but isn't the best quality.
cording is like corset lacing, I will replace it with ribbon.
polyester lining. Black.
boning is inserted neatly. but the bones themselves are not rounded at the edge so I don't see this skirt surviving long before they start poking through the very thin suedette.
detachable ribbon firmly attached to pin, pin appears to be structurally good, very sturdy. doesn't leave pin holes in suedette.
lacing keepers are firmly and neatly inserted.
very creased.
button holes neat.
pleats are neat and quite even.
correct sizing

now some piccies, the last one is a stock photo.

packaged

stock photo- notice the lovely gold colour?

overall thoughts:

Price:3/5
$48, not worth it. even though this is cheap by loli standard. nup. i could deal with thin suedette if the embroidery was actually gold.
Quality: 2.5/5

"Princess Portrait": Classical Lolita High Waist Steel Boned Corset 2pcs Skirt Set

over skirt:

over and under skirt where packaged together
Bodice lined with blue/purple cotton
tucks on bodice where not perfect
ties inserted well
eyelets inserted well
invisible zip inserted well.
corseting cord used as ties, acceptable for this style
boning inserted neatly, but note thread boning is not placed on the side of the zip, but zip seems to replace the boning well, doesn't appear to cause an uneven silhouette.
stitching attaching bodice to skirt is messy. although not reflected on visible sides.
lace is "crocheted lace"
scallops are neatly executed and even.
over locker lower hemline, inside skirt, very wide, nice.
nice heavy fabric
sizing tag not included. but sizing was correct

piccies

packages

Quality: 4/5

underskirt:

packaged with over skirt as mentioned above.
described as a "dolly sweet tiered skirt" but it is much shorter.
similar in all other ways excluding fabric, it is much coarser and stiffer that the black one i received. not sure if that only applies to the grey fabric.
unlined.
matching thread colour is used throughout the garment
not really grey/blue as described, just light grey. still complements the over skirt nicely. although the shortness means it needs to be pulled down lower than the waist to achieve the look in the stock image.
correct sizing

stock image underskirt

overall thoughts:

Quality: 4/5
price: 5/5 $75 for the set,i believe this to be a very reasonable price

Classical Gothic Lolita:Bustle Tiered Cotton Skirt

firstly, I absolutely loved this skirt it was quite perfect.

all edges over locked neatly
colour is stunning, and matches the stock photo perfectly
ribbon colour matches the fabric so it doesn't look out of place
corset lacing used in the back also matching and the ends are finished.
keepers inserted neatly and firmly.
a light iron on interfacing is used in the waist band area.
there is two layers of skirt each with a double layer of ruffles
lined with a maroon polyester lining. this is nice quality, it might even be a taffeta, im not sure, because it doesn't cling like polyester.
the fabric of the main skirt is a beautiful cotton blend,it is very soft and lovely to touch. I say it is a cotton blend not out of certainty, but from observing its characteristics. its very breathable and doesn't crease easily, i went on a holiday, took it out of the suitcase, hung it up and all the wrinkles fell out.
bustles very neatly and evenly, very eye catching and have received many complements.
correct sizing

packaged

overall thoughts:
Quality: 5/5
price: 5/5 $60 is an incredible price to pay for something so beautifull

Dolly Sweet Lolita: Tiered flared skirt

all edges overlocked very neatly
polyester or taffeta lining, doesn't cling.
fabric is quite nice to touch, it is the same as the fabric described in the "Classical Gothic Lolita:Bustle Tiered Cotton Skirt"
correct sizing
couple of loose threads, but not structurally compromising
creases fell out after a day of hanging, or so.
correct sizing.

package

overall thoughts

quality: 5/5
price: 5/5

"Time Traveler" Steampunk Lolita Coattail Double-Layer Skirt

colour of the fabric matches or is represented well in stock phot
edges are all over locked
ruffles, all overlocked and applied neatly and evenly
over skirt does not restrict the spread of the skirt
no extra buttons included, button colour not a 100% match, but matches ivory of underskirt.(these are the buttons that attach the waist ties, not the decorative ones)
invisible zip inserted well
matching thread used
button colour and chain on front is a bit bleh but still looks good
underskirt is attached at the top of waist. no skimping on fabric there.
shirring at back neat but not perfect, stitches are not entirely straight.
top skirt and underskirt are not of the same fabric type, but they are both of cotton origon. top layer is a heavier fabric, almost like a drill, and the lower is more like a poplin. the tail is central and symmetrical. the two different fabric types complement each other well.
sizing correct

i wore this skirt with the matching top to a steam fest in Ipswich recently, and received many complements. this is one of my favorite outfits.

packaged

overall thoughts:

quality: 5/5
price: 5/5 $57, some skirts that are entirely less complex are more expensive than that!

Classical Lolita Pleated Lapel Smooth Cotton Blouse

pleats are all in the right direction, neatly attaches, over locked edges
thread used for the over locked edges is a cream not a white, not noticeable form a far, but is up close
ribbon is detachable, one side is velvet
not brilliant lace but i think it works very well
cuffs are interfaced
pearl heart buttons match on both blouse and cuffs
lace continues on back, but this lace is a cream colour once again, hardly noticeable ( this is the lace that is matched on the front as well)
darts are symmetrical
lace continues on edge cover when done up
marking lines for button placement still visible. will come out with a wash.
spare button included
when wearing the collar will flip up almost constantly with the slightest breeze, as it is so light weight, incredibly annoying for taking photos outdoors -.-
correct sizing

packaged

overall thoughts:

Quality: 4/5 that cream thread, could have been a perfect score. sorry F+F!
price: 5/5

Elegant Gothic Unisex Stripe Cotton Blouse & Jabot

not much to write on this one, (thank goodness everyone says)

interfacing in collar and cuffs. not sure about buttoned area, but the fabric there seems to be very stable
extra button included.
jabot not double sided,and is tied around the neck with a long piece of fabric made into a tie. the fabric is the same as the shirt.
ruffles are overlocked, places and attached neatly and evenly
buttons are uniform.
correct sizing.

I thought that I could share this shirt with my boy friend, so I purchased it in the mens size, thinking that there would be a different cut to it or something, for men. But lets just say any man would have to be quite slim to fit in to the sizing provided, so if you have any sort of a belly, or not quite straight up and down, make sure you custom size it, or get it in a larger size. no way my man was getting into that! fitted me lovely though hahaha more for me!!

i didn't add a picture of the back of the shirt, cause well, it just looked like anyback of a shirt you had ever seen.

package

overall thoughts:

quality: 5/5
price: 5/5 (i love it when the cheap things are my favorites :D)

Gothic Lolita Stand Collar Cotton Shirt with Coattail

last one!

collar, cuffs buttoned area are interfaced
ruffles are over locked, ruffles on front moderately asymmetrical
buttons match throughout
spare button included
coat tail is hemmed and overlocked
gathered neatly and evenly throughout garment
darts are symmetrical
satin ribbon for tie, edges are finished
tie keepers inserted neatly and sturdily

this was once again a very lovely item, and it was in the sale bin! what a treat! all I can say other than giving it an excelent rating is that may family loved it, my partner loved it, I loved it and i will be buying more in different colours. a word of warning though, if you are quite a busty lady, deffineately get this one taiored, it is such a flattering garment that having those top buttons gaping can really ruin this (as with all tops i know, but the bust measurement said it would fit, but it still strains alittle, doesn't matter, cause im laying off the ice-cream anyways.)

i also added an extra pic of this blouse on my own manikin, just to show you how similar the stock image is to the item received, Im applying for fashion school so it made a lovely complementary item to go with one of the skirts I made :)

blouse with a skirt