It's Like Butter {Simplicity 1650}

Pattern: Simplicity 1650
Version: A with straight skirt and no sleeves
Sizing: 14 to 16 in hips
Fabric: crepe; bemberg
Notions: invisible zipper; hem tape
Instructions: good
Modification: binding for the armholes; so much hand-stitching; reinforced zipper
Recommend: yes, and I will make again

I’m not sure what attracted me to this pattern, other than a sale. Same goes for the fabric. While, I believe, neither a peplum nor bright yellow are attractive to/on me, give me a 99 cent pattern and fabric for three dollars a yard and I suppose you can call me a sucker. Figuring I had nothing to lose, combining Simplicity 1650 and this buttery crepe seemed like a good option. As you can see, my plan worked, which is a big shock to me since I originally thought the project would be a disaster. I have even grown attached to the yellow fabric. It is soft and fluid; a bit different than any other crepe I have worked with because of the drape.

Construction was a breeze. The peplum was nixed for the straight skirt version with no sleeves. I cut a size 14 for the bust and graded out to a 16 at the hips. Even with this this slight modification, the princess seams matched perfectly. I have no complaints about the pattern.  As a basic sheath dress, this one will be kept as my go to pattern. I like it even better than Vogue 8677, which I made my Blue Conservative and a seersucker dress from, because of the bust seams and kick pleat.

I used binding around the arm holes and hand-stitched them onto the lining, which is not a method included in the pattern.  The zipper was finished off by hand sewing the lining around the zipper tape with tiny whip-stitches.  The hem was also finished by hand.  Belt loops were hand-stitched at the waist line to hold the accessory in place.  All this handwork came out nicely.  I was able to practice controlling the slippery bemberg used for the lining, and it prepared me for my next project---a pure silk dress.

I always use polyester thread.  I know there are specific threads for specific tasks, but I am not inclined to put the effort forth to use the right tool for the right job.  However, it was discovered after testing my silk fabric, the polyester thread stood out.  The other day, I had brief conversation about embroidery machine thread, it popped into my head that a silky thread might work nicely and complement the drape of the silk fabric.  So, I used the bemberg lining of this dress to practice stitching with the rayon.  It worked marvelous.  With a sharp needle, I can make tiny stitched that suit my fancy.  It may just become a must have tool for all my hand sewing from here-on-out. 



Let me just say this.  HANDSEWING IS NOT NECESSARY FOR MAKING THIS DRESS!  If I had machine stitched everything, the dress could have been completed in less than six hours.  I suspect it would have turned-out just as nice too. Defiantly this pattern will be repeated. I am very curious to see how well the sleeves are drafted and hope they are as well positioned as the dress base.