Pattern Description: Misses' dress with bodice and sleeve variations and a tie belt. The variations are for a shirt style bodice or a wrap, both with the same flared skirt.
Pattern Sizing: 4 - 20. I made a 12.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The skirt has what I think is a grainline error resulting in wierd fabric pooling/folds at the centre front seam. A few who made this dress cut the skirt on the fold which shifts the grainline which I think is a better option as it eliminates the centre seam on the skirt. The way the skirt hung really bugged me so I ended up tapering it at centre front and back quite alot to remove the wierd fabric folds. Other than that its a good pattern with nice options.
Fabric Used: A cotton print that has a really nice drape and feel.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I ended up changing the skirt by taking 6" off the centre seam, tapering up to nothing at the waist, basically I sliced off a triangle piece, and now the skirt hangs much better. I also changed the sleeves from the cap style which I think didn't really work for me with the shirt style and replaced them with a shortened version of the 3/4 length sleeve. As I am small busted my button holes are not functional as I can get this easily over my head just with the side zipper. I bound the hem in a green bias tape rather than turning it under and hemming just as a design feature. I had to make a narrow shoulder adjustment and also a sway back adjustment.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may sew the wrap version of this dress. I would recommend it but I do think the skirt needs to be either cut on the fold, which shifts the grainline or otherwise adjusted. I do think its a nice shirt-style dress.
Conclusion: After I changed it, I am now happy with this dress. You can see more pics of the before and after of the changes I made to the skirt and about my other adjustments on my blog.
Christas said... You have sewn such a pretty and feminine dress. It looks so nice on you. Lovely sewing! 12/5/12 8:10 PM
AuntieShel said... This is just such a cute dress and you look lovely in it. I am looking for such a style and had not noticed this one. Quick question. When you say you took 6 inches off the center seam, is that 6 inches total or 6 inches on each side of the center seam for a total of 12 inches? Makes you wonder if Simplicity made up a muslin of this pattern. Your fix is fabulous!! 12/5/12 9:14 PM
ThreadsofFaith said... You did such a nice job fitting and adjusting this pattern. Love the dress and fabric! 12/5/12 9:46 PM
Renata said... I always admire people who go back and fix garments after they are finished. It certainly worked for you. You choose pretty fabrics and patterns. Love it. 12/6/12 2:51 AM
Amanda.Claire said... Great dress and fabric together! I like the sleeve change you did too. 12/6/12 10:49 AM
Legal.Dealer said... Your dress is super adorable. 12/6/12 11:37 AM
prostheticsgirl said... Looks great! You fabric is very fun. I think the changes you made are subtle but sensational 12/6/12 11:43 AM
MamaSewing said... I love the way your dress fits - it looks perfect now. Kudos for taking the time to fix the issues and not throwing it in heap! 12/6/12 3:07 PM
butterflyfly said... Very beautiful dress and looks so nice on you! 12/7/12 4:50 PM
Donel said... The dress looks great after all the changes. A very pretty dress with great fit. 2/8/13 8:13 AM
bakensewdi said... You're dress looks lovely! Thank you for mentioning the crazy hang to the skirt.....I agree, something wrong with the pattern....pattern itself is 1" longer in the middle than at the seams. I'm about to rip out zipper and take off the skirt to see how I can fix it....ugh....i may use your fix, but it's for my daughter and she like the fullness. if I can fix the skirt it will be a darling dress 3/14/13 10:58 AM
You have sewn such a pretty and feminine dress. It looks so nice on you. Lovely sewing!
12/5/12 8:10 PM
This is just such a cute dress and you look lovely in it. I am looking for such a style and had not noticed this one. Quick question. When you say you took 6 inches off the center seam, is that 6 inches total or 6 inches on each side of the center seam for a total of 12 inches? Makes you wonder if Simplicity made up a muslin of this pattern. Your fix is fabulous!!
12/5/12 9:14 PM
You did such a nice job fitting and adjusting this pattern. Love the dress and fabric!
12/5/12 9:46 PM
I always admire people who go back and fix garments after they are finished. It certainly worked for you. You choose pretty fabrics and patterns. Love it.
12/6/12 2:51 AM
Great dress and fabric together! I like the sleeve change you did too.
12/6/12 10:49 AM
Your dress is super adorable.
12/6/12 11:37 AM
Looks great! You fabric is very fun. I think the changes you made are subtle but sensational
12/6/12 11:43 AM
I love the way your dress fits - it looks perfect now. Kudos for taking the time to fix the issues and not throwing it in heap!
12/6/12 3:07 PM
Very beautiful dress and looks so nice on you!
12/7/12 4:50 PM
The dress looks great after all the changes. A very pretty dress with great fit.
2/8/13 8:13 AM
You're dress looks lovely! Thank you for mentioning the crazy hang to the skirt.....I agree, something wrong with the pattern....pattern itself is 1" longer in the middle than at the seams. I'm about to rip out zipper and take off the skirt to see how I can fix it....ugh....i may use your fix, but it's for my daughter and she like the fullness. if I can fix the skirt it will be a darling dress
3/14/13 10:58 AM