Springtime arrives and suddenly all I want to make are dresses. Comfy, knit dresses.
So on a whim, I made one. Because this fabulous fabric had been in my stash far too long.
Since this is a border print, I needed a pattern with a straight hemline, and I generally favor flared skirts, so none of my favorite knit dress patterns would do. I perused the pattern stash and came across
Simplicity 3678, which was a PR best pattern in 2008.
I'm actually not sure why I haven't made this before! It has almost all of my favorite things - wrapped, pleated bodice, midriff band, nice v neckline... I must have been nervous about the gathers around the tummy area, but
my favorite maxi dress pattern has them, so I decided to go for it.
The only thing I had to add was pockets. I cannot wear a dress without pockets. I just grabbed the pattern piece from Vogue 1027 and added them to the side seam.
Speaking of side seams... Print matching, much?? So happy with how well the motif matched up here!! It was partly careful planning and partly luck.
For fit, I made my usual Simplicity flat pattern alterations. I think this bodice may run a bit short, as it turned out that way on me. The shoulder seam is just slightly forward at the neckline, but the fit is still OK. When I'm making a surplice top, I basically ignore the pattern markings for the wrap. I construct the bodice (including side seams!) and then try it on, arranging the wrap the way I like. I generally find that I like a more snug wrap than the pattern calls for, so I often have to alter the skirt to fit after I've wrapped the bodice. In this case, I took about an inch out of the midriff band width, and just gathered the skirt to fit.
I do love the fit in back though. So sleek, even with the slightly gathered skirt!
The fabric is an amazing border printed ITY from FabricMart. I got this one in a fabric bundle, and it was exactly enough for this dress. I love those bundles. I get something amazing every time!
So basically this is my new favorite dress. I can't believe I let this pattern and this fabric sit in my stash for so long!! What gems are you holding on to? Go! Cut!
