Friday, October 28, 2011

S3503 || It's A Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod Fall Dress

These boots were made for walkin'...
It's fall in the PNW, and a great time to start making kicky dresses that go with my favourite fall footwear...boots! This dress is both supercomfortable (once I get it on) and superstylish. A double win, in my book!
 
S3503 Pattern Description: Misses' knit dress in two lengths with bodice variations. Mine is View F.

Pattern Sizing: 14-22. I cut a size 14 bodice and 16 skirt. 

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? They were clear and concise. This is a dead easy project that went together really quickly.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I'm BIG fan of this pattern, and love how the midriff falls at the narrowest part of my waist.

Fabric Used: Poly/lycra, dotted 2-way stretch with a border print from fabric.com.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did a 1/2" FBA and added 1" width to the bodice front and back. The fabric was the true challenge here, as the stretch goes in a direction that would have made the dots appear as horizontal lines across my body (adding weight visually). I added 1" to each side seam to accommodate the lack of horizontal stretch, cut off the borders to reattach them to the sleeve edges and hem, and used a not-so-stretchy Lycra black fabric from my stash for the neckline and midriff. I also spaced the gathers along the length of the front and back (vs. gathering them in the middle like the pattern asks you to). Due to the close fit, it's a little bit of a struggle to get the dress on and off, but it's figure-flattering, so worth the trouble.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is the fourth time I've used this pattern. I definitely recommend it!

Conclusion: This dress is fantastic!
I have to say that S3503 is turning out to be a TNT for me. I've made view D, C, E and now F. It's a great pattern with lots of versatility!