Star Spangled Cha Cha Cha
I "blousicated" the Hot Patterns HP103 Cha Cha Cha dress!

My inspiration was Y&R's Lauren's blouse with some boho flair!





Pattern Description
"Sweetly simple dresses, easy to make in soft or crisp cottons, silks and rayons. Scooped-necked ress has long flared raglan sleeves and a slim skirt, both trimmed with a narrow self fabric frill. Dress features an elasticated (what happened to the word "elasticized"?) under-bust seam and drawstring at the neck. Halter-neck dress has a ....."

Hmmmmm. Did Hot Patterns coin "elasticated" as an official word? Dictionary.com did not recognize "elasticated". Elasticate must be the nouveau synomym for elasticize. Another word to add to my vocabulary bank!

I sewed a "blouse" version of the cha-cha-cha dress. I'm easing into the dress mode slowly. I seriously have not worn dresses for years now. I became too comfortable being "slacks-icated."

Sizing
Multi-sized, 6-26. I sewed a 14.

Pattern Features
The directions for the dress were all on one page. Included was a sketch of the dress, labeled with arrows and the circled numbers that referred to the corresponding steps below the dress. Although the directions were sufficient, I did something else. I wish the numbers were in larger print and that the arrows were bolder and easier to follow.

Fabric Used
A star spangled cotton fabric from Joann's clearance section. I originally intended to wear the blouse to honor Memorial Day. I did not get a chance to make it until yesterday. I cannot wait to sew this again, but using a nice knit with a good drape.

Modifications
(1) I sewed a 5/8" self casing at the neckline and inserted a piece of 1/4" narrow elastic. I created two self fabric ties and sewed them to the ends of the elastic. I provided enough allowance for the ties to be well inside the casing and for them to be tied at the front. I noticed that the neckline is not as wide as that pictured on the pattern envelope.

(2) I fear that the "elasticated under-bust seam" would not flatter me at all and make me look as if I am expecting, which I am not at this time. Since I also did not want my bust area to be emphasized, I opted for the "dropped" bustline, as a result of not using the extra seam allowance for the bodice/skirt casing. As a quick alternative to the bodice skirt casing with elastic, I sewed a piece of stretched 1/4" narrow elastic to the center front and another to the center back for a slightly gathered look.

(3) To compensate for the elastic gathers at the front and back of the bodice, I trimmed 3/4" from the skirt edges before sewing the side seams and attaching it to the bodice. I was surprised that I was still able to slip the top over my head! I could have gotten away probably with cutting a size "8" or even a "6" for the skirt front and back, since I was not fully elasticating the bodice and the skirt at the seam allowance.

(4) I found that the sleeves flared out too much for my liking! I was inspired by Y&R's Lauren when she wore her white dotted print blouse earlier this year. I omitted the ruffles and instead, I elasticated the sleeves at the wrists.

Conclusion
This is really an easy top to sew! I could have whipped this top in much less time, if I had not taken some alternative route. I plan to work more with this pattern until I'm satisfied with the fit and look. The neckline of this dress really works great for those with broad shoulders!

This pattern would seem to definitely work better with a softer fabric or even knit. I just purchased some nice knit fabric and am looking forward how this would turn out.

I really like Hot Patterns. I agree with the company on this aspect, "...Whatever your preference, you can adjust these patterns to suit. And that beats RTW any day."