99% Awesome Dress

I really love this dress. Really, really love it. I'm not particularly vain, but I will admit that I have spent a fair amount of time looking at myself in this dress, and thinking how much I love it. I love the shape, the fit and the fabric - it's quite a win for something that was originally intended to be a wearable muslin.

The fabric was a duvet cover bought cheaply a few weeks ago to be used to make a muslin. I would normally have just made a bodice muslin for a new pattern, but the fabric pattern grew on me, so I thought I may a well just make the full thing.

The pattern was bought from Etsy a couple of months ago when I bought a different pattern from a seller, and thought I may as well see what else she had since I was paying for the postage from the US. Soon afterwards I wondered why I'd bought it, since it's fairly similar to the Peony dress. But, since I'd kind of fallen out with that pattern, I thought I'd give this a whirl.

The fabric pattern might not be to everyone's tastes but I really love it, especially paired with a red belt. But I think it's the fit that makes the dress. My work friend commented today that it looked like it was made exactly to fit me. And that's a great compliment to receive on an item you've made. After having spent that last 2 years making 36" bust patterns and then taking them in, I made a 34" bust pattern and adjusted for my wide shoulders. I don't know why it's taken so long to figure that one out. The shape of the skirt is also super flattering.

The final version isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. I also managed to put the pockets at the perfect height, and used a bias faced neckline for the first time, which I love.

 

Here's my review of the project:

Pattern Used
 

Simplicity 4903 from the 1960s. I made view 2, with short sleeves, but left off the little bows at the waist.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked the shape of the neckline and that it seemed like a classic style. 

Fabric & Notions
I used a duvet cover for the fabric plus an invisible zip.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made

I added pockets - of course! I put them 2.5" down from the waist. I added my customary 1" to the bodice and also made a wide shoulder adjustment.

Would you sew it again and do anything different next time?

I will be sewing it again as this was technically a muslin. Next time I am adding more room for shoulders and will also lower the armscye a little - during wear I noticed that it was a little high.

Did you use any new techniques?

Yes! Instead of facing at the neckline I used bias tape.

Er, why have I never used this technique before? It's amazing! It worked like a dream and looks lovely and neat. Every time I learn something new in sewing I think it's the best thing ever and that's just how I feel about this.

Would you recommend it to others?

Yes.

Cost

Duvet cover was 99p, zip about £1.50, pattern about £6, thread £1.45 so £9.94 in total.

Conclusion
You know how I feel about it, no need to repeat myself. This weekend I will be making it using this:

Lovely Michael Miller Eiffel Tower fabulousness. I've managed to cut the pattern out with the towers the right way up - phew for that, so am hoping I can just fix the wide shoulder adjustment to my satisfaction.

After reading Tilly's helpful guide on sewing with quilting cotton today, I am now a little wary about adding the sleeves. But forewarned is forearmed so I'm going to give it a go, and if it looks awful I'll make it sleeveless.

I'll leave you with a photo of me and Tilda celebrating the dress....

K x