Frock-sy Lady

Pattern Description:
Misses dress, jumpsuit and tunic top sewing pattern from the SUEDEsays Collection. I sewed the dress with the elasticized neckline and waist.   Its primary model number on the Simplicity website and catalog is #2179.

My pattern envelope showing the dress that I sewed

other pattern envelope showing the jumpsuit from the same pattern

Pattern Sizing:
Misses' 4-6-8-10-12. I sewed a 10 at the shoulders and neckline, and a 14 elsewhere. I encountered some some extra ease in the bodice and skirt.

Fabric Used:
Liberty of London Tana cotton lawn, part of the "Liberty Rocks" collection, inspired by musical artists. The print of this fabric is inspired by international pop singer Emelia de Poret is really more vibrant than what it appears in the pictures of me wearing the dress. Ms. de Poret's sketch of "microphone heads" was transformed into this boldly colored fabric design in collaboration with a team of Liberty of London's designers.

This is closer to the actual vibrancy of the print

Fabric swatch and description on LOL website
LOL blog with a video clip showing behind-the-scenes collaboration of Emilia and textile design team



Instructions
They were fine with helpful illustrations.

There is a discrepancy between the cutting layout specified on the instruction sheet and the marked fabric grain (bias or cross-grain) on the skirt piece.  The layout shows the skirt pieces cut as two full pieces, one for the front and the same piece for the back. However, the directions on the piece is to cut four along the bias (at a 45 degree from the vertical grain) in order to create the center front and center back seams.  If I followed the bias, then I would not be able to fit the piece for my fabric with width 54".   So I followed the cutting layout and cut the front and back of the skirt each as one full piece to eliminate the center seams.

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Favorite/Not-so Favorite Features
Although I like the flutter sleeves, elasticized neck, elasticized waist, hooped buttoned front, and circle skirt, I feel that it is a style more suited for the younger.  But then it is nice to occasionally deviate from my current comfort zone and be fashionably fearless and adventurous.

Walking against the wind, making my skirt cling weirdly!

I regret not performing my usual petite adjusment at the waist, because the waistline fell an inch lower than I preferred.  Also, there was something odd about the way the dress draped along my sides and back, when I pulled the elasticized waistline, just above my hips: it emphasized my short waist and high hips, making me look more "matronly" which prompted me to use a belt.

"Back drape"

It is a fairly dress to construct (i.e. no zippers, lining, set-in sleeves). My main gripe is that pinning and stitching the circle skirt seemed like riding an eternal carousel.  Just when I thought I was nearly done stitching the hem, I was not even halfway done!  But the result is worth it: the fabric's drape coupled with the skirt's shape provide a dash of dramatic fluidity, adding to the dress's personality .

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
*Lined each sleeve in the same fabric to avoid the visibility of the inside of topstitched hems.

*Omitted the bias finish at the armscye. I turned in a 3/8" hem to the inside and topstitched.

*Trimmed 1" from the length of the skirt


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Most likely I will not, due to its distinctive style and a growing queue of patterns that I intend to sew. I still recommend the dress because it is comfortable and feminine, without being too frilly.

Conclusion:
A dress suitable for many occasions.


I was able to adjust the pattern to create a dress for my 8 y.o. daughter.