Inspiration from St John

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Inspiration from Cato

I love, love, love this lace jacket!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

The Day Dress: S1885



This Print cotton fabric is absolutely beautiful (purchased at Metro Textiles during PR Weekend NYC).  I bought this fabric specifically for this Simplicity Pattern 1885.  I received the pattern for free during the Simplicity tour (part of PR Weekend NYC).

This is the perfect summer day dress!  I wore it last weekend while I was visiting my mom in Miami --> it was 88 degrees and I was so comfortable. Before, I start the review I want to mention that I didn't have any experience working with collars when I received this pattern.  There was only 1 review on Pattern Review, so there wasn't an abundance of information on what to do.  Also, I lost about 10 inches off of my body from the time I cut this dress (June 2012) and when I finished this dress (December 2012), see I Finished What I Started: Update 1/3/2013

The Day Dress: S1885

Pattern Description:

Simplicity 1885, Misses and Plus Size Sportswear.   Misses' & Plus size pullover dress or tunic, jacket and pants.  I only made the dress.  **I received this pattern for free during the Simplicity tour, PR Weekend NYC.**

Pattern Sizing:

10 - 18. I made the 18. I haven't learned how to do a FBA, so I cut the pattern per my upper chest measurement. I initially cut this pattern out in June - with the intention of wearing it during the summer, but I ran into problems creating the collar and I didn't finish the dress until December.

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

Yes, except my collar doesn't lay flat....

And, no I'm not sure what I didn't do right. 

And, yes - I wore it anyway! 

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes and no.  The instructions for the dress were very easy and simple to follow.  I was so totally confused on the instructions for the collar.  I ended up working on a different project that had a collar and just doing this collar the same way.

 

You can see how the collar isn't laying flat.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Major Likes:  I received this pattern for free!  The dress is super easy and comfortable to wear.  The cotton fabric folded well (and, didn't need major ironing when I traveled). 

Dislike: Collar instructions. 

Fabric Used:
Black, White & Green printed cotton fabric purchased at Metro Textiles during PR Weekend NYC.  It was $6 per yard and I bought 2 yards.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:When I started this project, I was closer to a size 18.  When I finished this project, I was closer to a size 14.  I'm not comfortable making a lot of alterations - so, I took up about 6 inches in the collar.  I did this by adding 4 additional gathers around the neckline before I attached the collar.  The dress is still a little big (baggier than I normally wear my clothes), but it doesn't look bad.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I don't plan on using this pattern again - although, I haven't gotten rid of it.  I walked away from this project about 3 times because of issues with assembling the collar.  Perhaps when I have more experience sewing, it won't pose the same problem.




Needles Up,

Always Audrey

Needles Up, Always Audrey

Inspiration from St John

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Inspiration from St. John

This jacket reminds me of the jacket that Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) just recently finished. 

Needles Up,
Always Audrey