April Showers bring Blue Flowers

I had originally intended this dress for the Project Sewn Floral challenge, but life got busy, we went on vacation, and ultimately, I'd decided I'd rather have a nice dress than a fast dress.  

And, let's face it, I'm not very fast with sewing.  

And I'm totally okay with that.  : )

The Details:

Fabric: floral cotton voile from Mood, ivory lawn for underlining

Pattern: Simplicity 1419, Lisette's Round Trip Dress

Notions: 22" invisible zip, 1 super special button, interfacing for collar

+ knit interfacing for zipper support, cotton twill tape to stabilize waistband, vintage flexi-lace for hem

Notes

First off, the pattern went together fairly easily, it just took me a while.   

In this one, I made a straight size 14.  I went up a size, because I'm kind of ashamed to admit it, but I think I've been measuring myself incorrectly.  I think the trouble I've had with uncomfortable shoulders and sleeves are related to sewing too small a size.   I would have previously grade from a 12 at the bust to a 14 at the waist.  That means for Sewaholic patterns, I actually need a 10 on top and an 8 everywhere else.  

(Mind blown)  

I don't know why I am totally okay with grading up a size to accommodate waist or hips, but never once considered grading down a size from bust to waist.  

This dress is not designed to be very closely fitted, which is actually perfect for a cotton summer dress. 

Who wants to be all sweaty in a dress? Well, in this kind of dress? 

I didn't think so.

Second, I added a bunch of extras here. 

 I underlined it, because the fabric was pretty sheer.  That meant I could invisibly slip-stitch the facing down to the underlining, as well as the bias finish at the armscye, and the hem. Jeezum Pete, though, they stuck together, and that was a trial in itself.  I also added twill tape to the waist seam allowance before serging the seam to keep the thin fabric from stretching out when I slump in my chair.  Third, I used zipper interfacing to supported the thin fabric for the weight of the zipper and make it go in easier.

The only think I had problems with was that button loop.  

I'll be honest, I gave up trying to turn a 1" by 1.5" bias loop (incl. seam allowance) right side out. 

I just cut another piece, folded it in half, then pressed the edges to center fold and topstitched it. 

Life's too short to spend that much time cussing an inanimate object.

Changes for Next Time 

For next time, though, I think I'll lower the neckline a smidge.  It's wearable, but still a hair high.  

Or maybe I just have a low neck, who knows.  

In any case,  I'll amend that on the pattern before putting it away for while. 

Also, I would consider using a scrap of interfacing behind the button, so it doesn't flap when open.

And, in the interest of photogenic honesty, my husband was out of town the day I first wore this, so my 7 year old kindly agreed to take a picture for me.

He did a good job, but I will admit that for every picture of me, there were three of the dog.

I can't complain, though; he is a pretty great dog.