I will not leave you hanging. This is the mini dress (but not so mini) from Simplicity 2798-- size 12 D cup adjustment (which comes as a separate pattern piece, as well as instructions as what defines their version of a B, C, or D cup. Wonderful). I have nothing but good things to say about this dress. The reason why it fits us chestal types, is that it abandons front darts altogether and is designed with a princess bodice (seams that contour). The reason that this is good? Those seams are a lot more forgiving than darts,which can land in the wrong place, end up uneven, or (worse) pointy.
Pockets!! Fantastic.
I made two modifications which were totally unnecessary, but have made me happy all the same. I added a back placket to match the one in front (sorry about the errant thread). I used the facing pattern piece supplied, and "faced it" on both the outside and the inside. Does that make sense? If you have the pattern and want to do the same thing but are confused, email me and I can explain it better. Finally, I do what I always do and sewed up the back all the way to see if I needed to put in a zipper. If it weren't for my big head, I would have been fine. I left out the zipper and replaced it with a little hand sewing and a hook and eye, giving my noggin the right amount of room for getting it on and off.
The fabric was a whopping 2.50/yard at the Depot's Outdoor Sale. It's a good one, people. I had to slow myself down and just go with what I knew I would use right away. It's a lightweight cotton-- almost a lawn-- that would probably be better lined (I'm wearing a slip. I'm no hussy). I ended up matching the plaids on one side but sort of lost it on the other. It's cool.
Three things that REALLY help me to remember when I'm sewing something like this up:
Be faithful to the seam allowances. 5/8" is a standard but MASSIVE seam allowance. I used to regularly ignore the instructions in this area. The problem is, the pattern and its finished measurements are based on the seam allowances given. All those dots and notches you marked? They'll only come together if you're following the rules. I often go back and let things out, or sew things up tighter, but I'm a lot less cranky about how things fit when I know that I'm doing that initial 5/8" (or whatever they're telling me to do).
Speaking of those Dots and Notches-- Mark 'Em. My least favourite part of garment construction is cutting the stupid thing out. I don't have a good space to do it, August always finds me and plops his bottom right on top of what I'm trying to cut, and it takes TIME. The last thing I want to do is to take more of that time and transfer all the pattern marking. But I'm learning to do it, and do it well, because it makes things so much easier and faster when you're putting it all together.
Interfacing is Optional. This is a bit controversial, but at least for the clothes I sew, I always leave out the interfacing. I don't like the way it washes. I don't like the way it feels. It makes me nervous. I was not always this way, but since I've started leaving it out I feel like I'm a lot happier with my clothes. But that's just me. I just thought you'd want to know.
I leave you with the Awkward Hello to Passing Neighbor picture that was absolutely not staged and a lovely reminder that our whole neighborhood sees what giant dorks we are every day. You are welcome.
