Game Changer.

It took me a needlessly long time to muster the "want" to photograph my January sewing project. Which, you may recall, was this dress. Sorry about that. I realize I have a HELLA lot of catching up to do if I'm going to get everything squeezed into February, so I can be back on track for March.

I achieved my mini goal and got the pattern cut before heading out of town for the weekend (Jan 22)... This is where things took a wild turn. While I was gone, my pattern envelop, assembly instructions enclosed, dissapeared! (Now, I'm not pointing any fingers, but for the record, a certain somebody stayed home while I was out; that same certain somebody haphazardly cleared my craft table for use at his LAN party while I was away; the pattern envelop has yet to resurface. You can draw your own conclusions.)

After wasting two days taking everything off the bookshelves and replacing everything onto the bookeshelves, I scrambled and came up with a contigency plan. Instead of tossing in the towel, I decided to re-visit a project I'd scrapped a while back.

Simplicity 3993- View 1

The wikia vintage pattern database describes it: Juniors' and Misses' One-Piece Dress with Two Skirts: "Simple to Make". Dress has slightly lowered neckline, short kimono sleeves and left side zipper. Bodice front fastens with one button. V. 1 skirt has soft pleats at waistline. Belt is self or purchased. V. 2 has very short kimono sleeves, top-stitching detail, slim skirt with soft pleats at front waistline and self fabric sash.

I originally intended to sew this project way back last year. It was already cut, partially  assembled and ready to rock. Happenstance, really.

I finally succumbed  to indoor photography, as natural light is a sparse commodity at this point. Not the clearest shots, but you get the jist. 

I didn't do a lining. I regret it. The fabric is some sort of synthetic micro fiber, I loved working with it, but it's relatively heavy and doesn't have a lot of body or volume. I think my dress would benefit from a moderate pettiskirt to help the skirt drape further away from the body.  

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The hem is hand sewn and time consuming. If it didn't require abundant energy, I'd probably go back and whack another couple/few inches from the skirt (I shortened 6 inches prior to pinning!) Just-below-the-knee is my least favorite dress length on my towering "5'2 form.  

Aside from length, the finished product fits beautifully. I altered out four inches through the center line on each side of the bust before pinning. This worked remarkably well; however, it's a bit snug coming over the shoulders during dressing. I probably should have done a tapered decrease to give myself a little more ease. .

Kimono sleeves may be my new favorite element to sew; they're  RIDICULOUSLY easy!
 
As seemingly negative as my commentary on this project may come across, I am happy, overall, with the dress. I'll definitely wear it out of the house. I'd like to sew this pattern again with all the mods specified above; maybe in a crepe or some type of print??

As for this dress. It's back in line for February. My valentine tracked down another copy of the pattern on Ebay, and gave it to me last week (THANK YOU INTERNET!). He's pretty awesome.