Simplicity 3678 Knit Dress

This is one of my favorite dress patterns. The instructions are plain and simple, just like the dress. I sewed view B last year, but did not write a review. I liked it so much that this time around, I sewed view A so I could have a comfortable, summer dress. This is a great pattern for beginners since there are no zippers, buttonholes, etc. The only extra details are the pleats in the bodice front.

I like that this pattern is for knit fabric. I love to wear jersey knit dresses (they don't have to be ironed and they don't require special laundry care). Jersey knit dresses look good all day because they don't wrinkle. I can also use my serger for most of the seams on this pattern and that makes the sewing go much faster and it gives it such a nice finished look on the inside. The pattern also has a perfect fit for my not so perfect body (lol)! The short sleeve version has 9 pattern pieces, but don't let that deter you if you are pattern shy. It is still a quick, easy dress to sew, and in my humble opinion, gives RTW results.

Travel Acquisitions

I spent last week in Cheyenne, WY visiting my parents. Now, if you've ever been to Cheyenne, you know that it is not the sewing hub of the Mountain West. To my great surprise and pleasure, a new quilt store opened a few months ago. To date, there was only one quilt store in Cheyenne and no fabric stores! Hmmmm, city officials wonder why everybody travels south to Colorado to shop. Anyway, Southeastern Wyoming's sewing community must be applauding the great variety of contemporary fabrics this store carries. Above are some new cuts of fabric that I couldn't resist. What they become in my future sewing endeavors has yet to be seen, but aren't they colorful?

Lining and serger-finished seams

Back of dress with invisible zipper

NewLook 6860

Here's the flower girl dress for the previously mentioned aborted wedding. The pattern consists of design elements (A-I) that can be combined for whatever look you're going for. I was asked to use A (bodice) and B (full skirt) and add a sheer overlay to the skirt portion. The dress itself is ivory bridal fabric and the overlay is a tiffany blue bridal sheer. The bodice is lined with a matching ivory bridal satin. I inserted an invisible zipper in the back and I finished the edges of the sheer overlay on my serger with a rolled edge finish. The dress went together very quickly and easily. The instructions are straightforward with no snags. Once I finished all the edges of the overlay, I attached it to the bodice along with the skirt piece all in one motion. I used my invisible zipper foot to sew in the zipper.

Vogue 8507 - Tablecloth Dress!

I chose this pattern as my mother-of-the-groom dress for my son's wedding on July 7. I planned to make the sleeve version in a black silk with tiffany blue embroidery around the neckline. But alas, the wedding was cancelled this week! Thankfully, I didn't buy the fabric yet. I do, however, still plan to make the sleeve version in a non-tablecloth looking fabric. The sleeve detail is very intriguing and I will make it in a basic neutral color since it will be a great go-to dress for spring, summer, and fall.

Here's my muslin. I call this my tablecloth dress because of the fabric. It is a stretch sateen that I purchased for a ridiculously low price at JoAnn's. The intent of this one was strictly to sew a muslin, but I really like the fit and the style, so I wore my new "tablecloth" to church and received a lot of unsolicited, positive comments. Therefore, the pattern is a keeper.

I lined it with a bright yellow bridal satin. I chose yellow because I love the color but I can't wear it next to my face so the next best choice was next to my body.

It went together quickly as there are not a lot of design details. Princess seams make up the front and back and there is a small kick vent in the back. I inserted the invisible zipper with my most favorite Bernina invisible zipper foot and you wouldn't even know it's there except for the zipper pull tab.

I will alter the neckline by bringing it in one inch in the front and back as the width is just a bit wide for my narrow shoulders. I will also shorten the length by two inches so that it falls just above my knees.

In the mean time, I'm minus a daughter-in-law, but plus a new sundress. We must accept that which is out of our control and embrace that which we receive unexpectedly.