Project Details:

Pattern: Simplicity 2579 - View C/D (Modified)

Description: Dress with fitted bodice and gathered skirt. Invisible back zipper, and options for either a halter top or gathered bust with or without sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: 8 - 22. I cut the 14 in the bodice and graded to size 16 at the waist. There's a lot of ease in this dress and I could have made the whole thing in a size 14.

Did it look like the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Meh... similar! LOL

Fabric: Floral silk crepe de chine from Hancock.

Lining: Ivory silk habotai from my stash.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I only read over them briefly if that's any indication.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I just love everything about it... with the exception that the instructions would ONLY have you line the bodice?!

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I wanted the short halter dress, but the ruffle on the bottom seemed a bit more "cutesy" than the look I was going for. I cut View D in the length that I wanted it to be. I also wanted to make sure that there would be NO "side boob" spillage and that the dress would be bra-friendly. Meaning -- I didn't want my bra showing on the sides, nor the band showing in the back. So I raised the sides and the back.

Here is a view of the back. It's a halter and I think it would defeat the purpose of posting if you don't see what the back looks like!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I wouldn't sew it again, but I love this one. I think I made GREAT fabric choices! This dress feels so luxurious on. And even though this pattern was marketed for "special occasion", this is a simple sundress for me. I don't require a special occasion to wear a silk dress. Being able to rise every morning in great health is enough of a celebration! Life is too short! Better start living!

I've decided to take the plunge and give Burda a try again. I'd been hearing all of the hype surrounding the July issue and wanted in on it too! LOL I've gone out and bought some tracing paper and I just need to decide which project I'm going to do first! Now if only I had someone to do the tracing...

Description: Close-fitting, lined, flared dress has princess seams, midriff with assorted beads and invisible zipper closing. Above mid-knee length

Pattern Sizing: 8 - 22. I cut the 14 in the bodice and graded to size 16 at the waist.

Did it look like the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Very much so!

Fabric: Tangerine 100% linen (from Hancock)
Lining: Ivory Bemberg (from Jo-Anns)

Were the instructions easy to follow? I only read over them briefly if that's any indication.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This is another great designer pattern that I've had stashed for over a year now. I initially purchased it simply because it IS a designer pattern. In spite of that, I thought it looked rather frumpy on the pattern envelope. I didn't really appreciate the style and design until I saw Ann's version.


Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made a 3/4" FBA to both the bodice and the lining pieces. I also added 3" to the length.

I suppose if you forego those things, this could be a very simple project. But if you're like me and want to drive yourself mad with all of the "extraness", then be prepared to commit a couple of days of your life.

One thing I would do differently IF I ever were to sew this again?
I would use a wider hem instead of the scant 5/8" hem that was recommended. When I look at it, I'm just not loving that part. But that's just my personal preference.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably will not. Too many dresses, too little time. I think this is a very flattering dress to a multitude of figure types and I highly recommend it!

Description: Fitted, straight skirts A, B, C, D have contour waist and back zipper; dress A is above mid-knee; dresses B, D are below mid-knee; dress C is mid-knee; dresses B, C, D have back slit; dresses C, D have soft front pleat.

Fabric: Linen blend (55% linen/45% rayon)

Pattern Size: 4-20. I cut the 16.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it does.

Were the instructions easy to follow? What instructions?! LOL It's a pencil skirt!

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Normally, I would have had to add length. But I used view B, the longer version. And this is where it stops on me! LOL I did add a lining. I don't like wearing slips in the Summer and it was a MUST that there be something in between me and the sheerness of the linen fabric. I used THIS method so I didn't have to hand stitch the lining to the zipper tape.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The only thing I didn't like about this pattern is that there wasn't a lining included. But it was no big deal to just add one.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would sew this again and again and again! Yes, I highly recommend this to anyone that would love to add basic pencil skirts to their wardrobe!

I'm amazed at how much I had to say about a simple pencil skirt. I was actually planning to do one of those "Look at what I've sewn" post with a limited amount of text!

Pattern: McCall's 5850
Description: Lined dresses are 4" above knee and have back zipper closure; package features interchangeable components to create your own design; choices include three bodices, two midriffs, gathered skirt, bubble skirt, bubble skirt with hem band and optional bows; included in package are tips for embellishing your finished dress.

Pattern Sizing: 4 - 18. I cut the 4.

Did it look like the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it does.

Fabric: I used a white polyester brocade from Jo-Anns that I found in the bridal section. I used a black matte satin for the contrast.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very! I only read over them initially and never referred back.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? My daughter loves and often buys Trixxi dresses. She showed me a couple of styles she liked and ask me to make her a white dress for graduation. I thought this pattern was the PERFECT one!

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I cut the size 4 and graded to a size 8 at the waist to the hip.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely recommend this dress. It's very easy and a real quick project. I'll sew it again if Amber wants me to!

More graduation pictures:

Project Details

Pattern: McCall's 5574, View C

Description: Dresses A, B, C, D have self-faced bodice and midriff, front gathers, back elastic casing, tie ends and A-line skirt in two lengths; dresses A, B have V-neck and ties around neck; dress A has purchased trim; dress B has contrast midriff, bodice back and tie ends, mock belt with purchased buckle; dresses C, D have front casing and ties around neck; dress D has contrast midriff, bodice back and tie ends; dresses A, B and C length is 2" above mid-knee; dress D length is 1" above ankle.

Pattern Size: 7-16, I cut a size 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it does.

Fabric: Yellow cotton interlock - 100% cotton.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I can't really say, because I didn't use them. And I doubt that another experienced sewer would need them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? After the last dress I made, I needed something really easy before jumping back into another project for myself. I love the style of this dress... it's really cute, stylish and also age appropriate. I decided on this particular view because I didn't have to make a muslin or give any thought to the depth of the v-neck on the other one.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I added about 2.25" to the bodice front and back. When I pretreated my fabric, I guess I didn't anticipate as much shrinkage as I got. With that said, I didn't have as much fabric as I needed. So, I cut the front part of the skirt on the fold and the back in two pieces. That's why my version has a CB seam.

I stabilized the waist seam and that CB seam with clear elastic. I didn't want her to have "saggy butt" after sitting. And I also added clear hanger loops. I made them longer than the annoying ones that are one RTW so they would stay tucked in.