Off the crutches...

And a new dress to celebrate!

Simplicity 3678

ETA Saturday evening: it appears I need to go back to the crutches as my foot is hurting again. Ugh. Well, at least I have a new dress ;)

I spent the whole weekend making Christmas gifts, and on Sunday evening decided to take a break and make myself a cute dress. I opened the pattern envelope at 4 pm and finished the dress at 9. All it needed more was hemming, which I did on Wednesday evening after hanging the dress for a few days to let it stretch. This should tell you how easy and fun this dress was to make!

Pattern Description:
Misses knit dress with bodice and sleeve variations, View C

Pattern Sizing:
8-16. I used sizes 6 and 8.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, very. I love these Threads/SewStylish collaboration patterns!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked all the neckline and sleeves variations and it was difficult to settle on a choice!

I am quite fond of empire waist dresses, and the midriff piece here prevents any unflattering billowing over the tummy.

I really like the pleats at the bodice and the soft gathers at the front and back. This is the first time I realize how lovely gathers can look on a knit fabric, because the effect is so soft.
The elasticized gathering at the upper sleeve is another nice detail. You can see it (and the back gathers) below:

Fabric Used:
Single jersey - moka brown. It didn't look very impressive as a piece of fabric, but it sewed up really well and it looks good now it is sewn up.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
- I used the longer sleeves, ended up chopping off 10 cm (4"). I made the dress much shorter, partly because I'm very small (5' 1/2" = 1m54), partly because I wanted a dress shorter than designed in the pattern.

- I changed the way of finishing the neckline. I used my favourite technique, which I found in an Onion pattern. To create my binding, I cut the pattern pieces which were intended as facings, but doubled their width; I pinned them to the right side of the neckline, aligning the raw edges. I folded the binding over and stitched over the three layers of fabric (dress + folded binding).
Also, I stretched the binding while pinning it to the neckline, to make sure the opening wouldn't gap. This was also something I learned from my Onion pattern, and it works really well.

- I redrew the pattern's lines along the waist to cinch it a bit. (I usually use a size 6, but the pattern started at an 8).

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I can totally see myself sew this one again. There are so many possible variations and it wouldn't even look like the same dress. You can truly use this pattern all year round. I plan to layer it with a black top during the winter months, as shown in this picture. (Actually, I was wearing a couple of knit tops underneath: it was -5°C/23°F in Paris at midday today.)

Yes, I recommend it! This is a very rewarding pattern.

Conclusion
This is a super cute dress! Pairing it with opaque tights and hemming it well above the knee makes it very petite-friendly. I made it much shorter than I usually wear, but the very opaque tights put me at ease. Layering the dress with knit tops makes it perfectly wearable even on the coldest days.

I was wearing woolen tights in the pic and wedge shoes, which are cute and gave me a bit more height, yet were very comfortable for my still sensitive foot.
This was taken tonight after my last day of teaching.

This dress was largely inspired by the lovely petite advice given by Christa Jean on her Petite Fashionista website. Thank you, Christa!

Now I must leave you for a few days. I have a lot of exam marking to do before Christmas!

~*~

Thank you so, so much for the very wonderful comments you left about my coat. I treasure each and everyone of them! *Hugs*