Quick Update

Is anyone out there? I know I have a few followers and just in case you were wondering what I've been up to I wanted to proivde a quick update. It's prom/wedding season and as we speak my Sister's prom dress is getting ready to be cut out and stitched up. She selected Vogue 2847 to wear to her senior prom. She chose a beautiful turquoise satin fabric for the dress and is opting for black accessories as her escort is wearing a black tux. I found a perfect matching thread but the zipper was another story. Hopefully I will remember to post pics as I go along.

As soon as I am done whipping that dress up I will be tackling my first piece for a young child. A dear dear friend is getting married next month and as my gift to her I am making the flower girls dress. She said she trusted my judgetment and so to make whatever I felt like. I chose McCall's 5570. The dress will be ivory with a yellow sash. I selected a green netting for the ruffles/petticoat as I wanted to incorporate all of the wedding colors into the dress in some way. Alright that's what's going on in my world. So what are you up to?

So Yesterday

Really this was from last weekend but with the beautiful weather, family, and life in general I'm just now sitting down to post this review.

Pattern Description: Simplicity 2801 Misses Day or Evening Dress. I made view F which is full length and sleeveless with gathers in the center bodice

Pattern Sizing: Available in 6-20. I cut a 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Absolutely

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I really love how simple yet flattering this pattern is not to mention it didn't take very long to construct. I had cut it out a couple of weeks ago and started construction around 7pm Friday, worked for about 2 hours, then got up Saturday morning and was finished before 10am. In my opinion this pattern ran a little big as I cut a 14 and have plenty of room in the bodice and hips whereas I normally have to make adjustments for this.

Fabric Used: A lightweight jersey knit
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I omitted the zipper as the knit had enough stretch to it that a zipper was not necessary. I wasn't completely satisfied with how I finished the sleeves as the instructions suggest you tack down the sleeves with fusible web or some other means. Because of the material I chose, you could actually see where the web was used. I ended up only placing a few pieces under the arm and just hoping the ends didn't fly out until I found a more permanent solution I like. I will say that the sleeves stayed in place during the entire evening, including dancing, so I may just leave them as is. I didn't not make any design changes.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will not sew this again as one of this pattern is enough. I would recommend it if you are looking for a simple yet flattering dress.

Conclusion: Overall a decent pattern but lacks that wow factor. It was appropriate for a low key evening wedding which is what I made it for so it worked out well. I'm actually thinking of chopping several inches off the bottom and making it a short version (doesn't have a letter on the envelope) as I would probably get more wear out of it.

Bottom Line:
3 yds @ 1.95/yd =5.85
Notions: thread and facing from stash