Festive Summer Vacay Dress - Simplicity S9598

Pattern Description:  Slim V-neck pullover knit dresses in two lengths have long or short sleeves with cutout back and twist detail.  One view feature contrast layout.

Pattern Sizing:  The pattern is available in two size groupings (6-14) and (16-24).  I used between size 16 and 18.  This is very close fitting and I want just a little ease in the dress.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes, it did.  I really like the way the dress turned out.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions were typical and easy to follow.  There was nothing confusing in them.  Of course, I changed a few things.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the V-neck, the twist/cutout, and the option to color block the dress.  There was only one dislike; the way the back elastic facing is supposed to be finished.  It did not look good.

Fabric Used:  I used an ITY knit that I purchased from Fabric Mart Fabrics a while ago.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  There is always something that needs to be adjusted or changed.  Here is my little list:

• Small FBA made that produced a bust dart.  You can barely see it in this print.
• Made a prominent shoulder blade adjustment.  I didn't want the twist to pull too much.
• Selected a length between the two indicated on the pattern.
• 3/4 Sleeve instead of the long sleeve
• Sewed a channel for the elastic to be threaded through.  It looks better than just having the elastic between the skirt and facing.
• Used a twin needle to hem the sleeves and the skirt.
• The neckband was gapping a bit.  I had to make a deeper center front seam to make it fit better.  See pattern pieces showing the blue marking to indicate the new stitching line.  Note:  You must be precise in your stitching making sure both neckbands are stitched the same.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Of course, I will sew it again.  I don't know when though.  There are so many other dress patterns in my to make pile for 2022.  We will see how it goes. 

Conclusion:  I think this is a great little pattern to make a fun, festive summer dress.  It a good one for all level sewists. 

 

P.S.  I'll post pictures of me wearing soon.  No one available for a photo shoot today. Wink, wink.

Happy Sewing!

C

DD Is Holiday Party Ready - Simplicity S9370

Holiday Ready!

My DD's first holiday dress of the season.  I used MiMi G's Simplicity 9370.  And it turned out perfect.  She looks fabulous in her new dress.

I've been waiting to post my review for a few weeks.  Sometimes it's a little challenging to coordinate our schedules to do the photo shoot.  This weekend was perfect following our family Thanksgiving fest.  BTW I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday.

My review:

Description and Sizing

Simplicity - Knit dress with cut out midriff detail is slim or A-line shaped in two lengths with self-ties, sleeve and length variations.  Available in sizes 6 to 24.  I used size 12, view A.   I was able to cut it out without making any fit adjustments.  How great is that.  

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

The dress looks exactly like the drawing and photos.  I made a little change with the tie construction, but it didn't change the style of the dress.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

The instructions were super easy to follow.  There weren't anything confusing in them or difficult construction techniques.  The dress went together with no problems. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

There is so much to like about it.  

• The style in general is cute/sexy.  It's on trend with a lot of the styles that you may see at department stores like Zara's.  
• The belted, elasticized midriff is one of the elements that I like a lot.  
• The zipper side front.
• The length of the slim skirt.

My DD loves it for the same reasons.  

Nothing to dislike.

Fabric Used:

My fabric is "Flaming Red Viscose Jersey Knit" from FabricMart Fabrics.  I checked the online store to see if it was still in stock.  No luck.  I only purchased it two months ago.  On the color:  It looks more like a tomato red to me. Anyway, it's a great color for my DD.  The stretch is about 40 percent and it has great recovery.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

The only thing I changed was the tie.  Instead of a single piece of fabric with the edges finished, I chose to double it, sew two pieces together and turn to the right side.  So, there is a little more bulk in the tie.  But that's all right.  It just adds a little more support around the waist.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

This dress is really unique.  I would only sew it again if DD asked me to.  And yes, I do recommend it to others.  It sews up really fast and it's easy to make.  The most difficult part is to install the zipper.  

Conclusion: 

I love how this dress turned out and my DD does too.  I'm also happy to have the dress done for an upcoming holiday party early in December.  This is a very stylish dress that is certainly worth trying.

Happy Sewing!

C

Cute Comfy Top - Simplicity S9182

This morning I woke up to over 12 inches of snow!  Yesterday afternoon we thought we had a head start on clearing it off driveway and the side walk.  But when I peaked out of the window, there it was more of the fluffy white stuff.

Surprised?  Nope.  It is to be expected.  We hoped for a lighter snowfall over night. So, while the mini blizzard was taking place, I spent the evening cooking and sewing up Mimi G.'s Simplicity S9182 top, view A.

I grabbed a copy of the pattern at Hobby Lobby on Saturday for 99 cents.  I couldn't wait to try it.  The the collar and the center front zipper were what that sold me on this one.  So, today I'm reviewing View A.

This pattern includes three views: two tops and a slim skirt.  Simplicity has very little descriptive information.  So here is mine.  Knit tops with center front zipper, dropped sleeves with sleeve bands and large sailor like collar.  The waist is finished with or without a waistband.  The skirt is a pencil skirt with waist darts, center front and back seams.  Large hip pockets with flaps and a center back zipper.  

This pattern is available in sizes 6 to 24.  I used a size 16 with a few modifications.

My "first version" looks like the drawing.  The instructions were typical.  Most of them I followed as stated and others I changed a bit.  Nothing complicated though. 

I used a tie dye french terry knit that I purchased from Sew So English Fabrics.  I ordered this yardage along with a few others months ago.  The same day that I received the fabric, I tossed it in the washer so it would be ready to sew when I decided what to make.  The fabric came from the dryer soft and fluffy ready to sew.   

The few changes are:  

• The first few steps are related to sewing the zipper to the center front of the top.  This is the major focal point.  So I really wanted to get this right.  First, I marked the cutting lines.  Then, I fused a strip of fusible tricot interfacing to the wrong side where the zipper would be placed.  Next, I stay stitched along the lines where the zipper would be stitched.  Carefully I cut the center front and each side of the triangle where the base of the zipper would rest.  Next, placed the zipper with the right side facing the right side of the top, the bottom of the zipper pointing to the top edge of the top. Stitched horizontal seam. Then flipped the zipper up with the zipper pull at the neck edge.  Using the stay stitching as a guide, I turned the edges in along the vertical sides of the zipper.  Pinned and hand based in place.  Finally, I machine stitched the zipper to the top.  I used this method because I was sure it would work for me.  It was very important that the zipper looked perfectly centered and stitched to the top.

•  I did a small FBA (,75") for comfort.  This FBA does not result in a bust dart.  Instead I eased in the difference to maintain the original look of the top.  It worked well.  The adjustments added 1.5" to the width of the top.  I eased it in when I attached the waistband as I only need the extra width in the chest area.  I actually could have reduce the length of the band maybe a inch or so.
• Instruction #15 indicates stitch stretching band to fit.  The sleeve opening is several inches wider than the opening of the sleeve band.  So I decided to gather it instead.  It worked.
• I lengthen the sleeve two inches.  I have long arms. 
• After stitching the under collar to the top, I folded the upper collar over the top sandwiching the top between the two collar layers  pinning only to the front neckline.  The rest of the collar was hand stitched to the back.  I like this finish better.

These are my changes.  The first change was the most time consuming.  But not difficult to do.

I want to make this top again for sure.  It came together very well and I like how it looks on me.  When I searched online to see if others made the top.  Only a few post so far.  Don't sleep this one.  It's a great top and it's not difficult to make.  

I enjoyed making this top and will make another soon.  

Parting Shot:  This is my block after the Monday night big snow.  It's a beautiful site.  But to shoveling.., Now that is another story. Lol