Pattern Description: Misses’ / Women’s Dress With Individual Pattern Pieces For B,C,D Cup Sizes or C,D,DD Cup Sizes.This amazing dress combines flattering features of timeless style: princess seamed bodice with Empire waistline, flared skirt gently shaped at the waistline and back lapped zipper. Add a flattering “V” neckline, a choice of long sleeves, pleated cap short sleeves or sleeveless and it all adds up to one amazing dress.

Pattern Sizing: Size AA 10,12,14,16,18. Based on my measurements I needed an 18. That worked out just right.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions were great. They do a terrific job of walking you through how to get a good fit. Although I know all these fitting procedures, having the reminders right in the directions was helpful.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I made view B, with the pleated cap short sleeves. Those pleats made me buggy! I found the best way to make them accurately was to trace the pleat lines onto the wrong side with fabric carbon paper, then machine baste over the lines to mark them on the right side. This made it much simpler to fold them accurately. (I almost gave up on that sleeve style, but I’m glad I persevered because they came out really cute.)

I really liked that there were separate pattern pieces for different cup sizes. This takes out a lot of fitting problems right from the start!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I dropped the shoulder seams down by 1/2 inch and dropped the waist seam down by 1/2″. (Trying to make it less “empire-waist” ish.)

I also shortened the front seam allowance at the underarm to eliminate too much fullness at the front underarm.  This was where the fitting directions in the pattern were very helpful.

Also, I used an invisible zipper instead of a lapped zipper and did my own thing at the back facings.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Only after making it did I remember that I’m not really a fan of empire waist garments, so no, I won’t make it again. Instead I found Simplicity 2174, which is a similar style, but with a natural waistline. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the empire waist style and wants to take the time to get a good fit.

Conclusion: A very nice pattern especially if you’re willing to take the time to baste seams and learn how to get a good fit.

***Update***

I am giving this pattern away to one of my blog readers.  Just leave a comment here by Friday, 4/29/2011 and I will randomly choose one person to win this pattern.  (As I’ve cut out the largest size included in the envelope, it is entirely intact.)

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