It’s growing on me…!

I really didn’t love this dress when I finished it, but it’s definitely growing on me! It’s a pretty straightforward sew and would suit any seamstress that has made a few garments and can insert an invisible zip.

I used some gorgeous petrol blue viscose with cute cream and mustard spots for my dress. This was a bargain bolt end, but I only had about 1.3m – by making the shorter sleeved version, omitting the pockets, piecing the casing and completely ignoring the suggested cutting layout – I just managed to squeeze it all in!

After trying on the gorgeous sheath dress that Patsy made in a straight size 2, which fitted me beautifully, I opted to make the same size. I don’t know where I went wrong, but when I came to try my dress on it barely fit around my hips. Luckily, by unpicking the side seams (which was not a good idea on a delicate viscose) and sewing them at 1/4″, my dress now accommodates my bottom!

The other change I made was to create a rouleau loop and button fastening at the neckline instead of inserting a zip. I can actually fit the dress on and off without undoing this, so there’s potential to leave out a fastening altogether.

The instructions were generally good, but I really didn’t like the way the casing was formed and the elastic was inserted. I’m absolutely not the kind of seamstress that makes the insides of my garments as pretty as the outsides, but the way the side seam ends up with the elastic poking out and the casing unfinished is just too untidy, even for me!

I definitely want to revisit this pattern as it’s a flattering, wearable dress that’s so perfect for work and with a bit of tidying up on the inside it could be perfect!