The Assembly Line V-neck Dress

As with all Assembly Line patterns construction is beguilingly simple. I find it difficult to make dresses that don't drown me because I shy away from making more fitted dresses due to my amateurishness as a sewer as well as having a fear of fitted dresses. Besides, who doesn't want a comfortable dress with pockets? I am a size 12 but with **** that over the years have headed south and slightly sloped shoulders. I think the collar just makes it feel slightly more stylish than a simple V would do. I have tried this with a belt, but on me it just doesn't flatter. I tried this on before I put in the sleeves and can see that as a sleeveless/pinafore it will look great too, so that's my next project. Black corduroy.

My fabric choice was a happy fluke. It's from Mind The Maker Splash and just hangs beautifully. I'm thrilled with it. I've also got some fabulous viscose challis from Fabric Godmother and saw someone had made this dress into a robe by extending the interfacing all the way down. This will look great with jeans/leggings

A lovely-looking dress and really easy to wear for summer, and possibly beyond.

I'd never made an Assembly Line pattern, so this was all new to me.  Although the pattern is marked as an 'easy' make, it made a toile and was glad I did.  I'd never made a neckline using this technique, so a run-through was helpful. It was clear that careful marking up and cutting out would be crucial to getting the neckline to lie nicely - I'd think for newbie sewists it could be a bit challenging, so just be careful! It was a very straightforward make, thanks in part to the toile.

The sleeveless version will be good for the summer, and I think that it will be something I wear over the spring and autumn seasons with a t-shirt underneath.

Fabric is mid-weight 100% cotton from Stone Fabrics and very stable, so easy to get the precision cutting and sewing for that neckline.  It's perhaps less drapey than I had expected (I did get a sample) even after washing, but I suspect it will soften further in time. I love the pattern and it's small enough not to need pattern matching.

Things I did differently

* The seam allowance is only 1cm, so I didn't do all the pre-stitching overlocking suggested in the instructions: I thought it would be too easy to slice off random amonts of seam allowance!  The fabric is forgiving in this regard, so other makes may need a proper edge finish.

* I added half-ties (2 x 50cm) at the waistline.  The dress is quite full and having the option to pull in the back (or indeed, front) is good for my shape.  I'm quite petite, so it's easy to look overwhelmed in fabric.  The ties can also tuck into the pockets (yes, it has lovely pockets too!) when not in use.

* Overall fit was good. Following the body measurements on the pattern I cut a M at the top, tapering to S at the hip.  In retrospect, I could have possibly gone a little smaller with this firm-ish fabric.

I'll definitely be making this one again - perhaps shorter as a tunic top with sleeves and bringing the side-seams in for a slightly narrower fit. I may also play around with a different fabric for the neck facing, which might be fun.

I am in love with this pattern company. First up it satisfies my vanity because I buy size 12 ready made and I do feel put out that some pattern companies make me a size 16. It shouldn’t matter I know but with this company I cut out a size 12 and it fits! But mostly I love it because the pattern pieces are well made and the instructions are clear. I also think the simple Scandinavian lines suit my personal style. I have made three patterns , the wrap jacket, the cuff top and now this the v neck dress. All have turned out well .

This dress has a very nice and unusual shape. It's very flattering with the N-neck, simple but smart. The pattern pieces are of very good quality and include seam allowance. The pattern instructions are mostly very clear and there are some useful close up detailed drawings of what to do. Some things could be improved:
-it would have been useful to have a line indicating where the dress can be shortened/lengthened
-the instructions state that the seam along the side and pockets should be overlocked once the seam has been stitched, this leaves raw edges alongside the pocket openings. Ditto with the facing along the neckline. I would overlock all the pieces first to avoid such problems.
-there is no pattern piece for the interfacing for the neck pieces which means you have to trace the pattern pieces and remove a 1cm all around for the seam allowance otherwise the interfacing is too big. Same for the belt.
-the instructions

I fell in love with this pattern. I’m very satisfied with this A-line shape which is moderate and ideal.
2 of my friends tried on this, it looks very well on both of them.
With waistband it looks very elegant, on one hand it looks stylish without it.
The instruction is detailed with lots of illustration and easy to follow.
note:
I use 100% wool tropical(men’s suiting fabric) which makes good drape but little bit scratchy.
My height:158cm, selected size:xs