Turned to a Dress 1M1P #6 {Simplicity 1693}

Pattern:  Simplicity 1693
Version:  View E
Sizing:  12
Fabric:  1.5 yds challis; leftover wool
Notions:  button; 1.5 yrds roping
Assembly time:  3 hrs
Instructions:  great; love the directions for neckline loop
Modification:  self-made bias tape at 2 inches; .5 inch allowance for French seams; added narrow hem;  length for dress version; bias finished neckline gap; draw-string casing
Recommend:  please oh please try your hand at this

For me, there is nothing better than wearing a loose fitting, light-weight, slip-on dress for those really hot days of lounging around.  With that said, I made a dress from Simplicity 1693 and think this idea hit the mark for my lazy day wardrobe and then some.  The idea definitely gives another option for an every day wardrobe which I am trying to expand upon during the month of May through the One Month, One Pattern series. 


Turning the shirt pattern into a dress was REALLY easy.  For this pattern modification, I took a roll of see-through paper and traced the back and front shape from View F (pattern pieces 9 and 10).  Taking the straight edge from the front section, I added 10-inches to the back piece and 13.75-inches to the front for the new length.  While tracing the side seams towards the new hem length, I notices that if I used the angle directly from the pattern there may be too much fabric at the knee, so I reduced the angle starting at the bust.  This slight reduction maintains the A-shape, however...

I wanted a bit more definition at the waist area; and originally, I thought of using the marking provided on the pattern for an elastic band.  After some inspection the markings seems to rest high on the waist, which is something I am not a fan of on my body shape.  Instead, I opted for the illusion of a dropped-waist by top-stitching into place a 1-inch casing at my upper hip bone point, at 21-inches from hemline.  A drawstring was threaded through.  I can snitch the waist in, like in the above photo, or leave the casing loose. Yeah for options!

1) finished dress; 2) button loop; 3) casing at waist with button hole for drawstring

One aspect that is ever so nice about the pattern directions is the illustration for finishing the neckline button loop.  This technique is one that I must always kept in mind; one, because it is simple, and two, because it will always match the garment. 

Another special feature of this dress is it is my first animal print garment ever. Can you believe I have never had a leopard or zebra print. Just wait, though, for the One Month, One Pattern series finale I will add another animal print to my wardrobe.

I must say, the dress is very comfortable.  In the above picture I have paired the simple dress with my 1699 Sweet and Short Jacket, to make it more dressy casual look---whatever that means.  Simplicity 1693 is turning out to be a very versatile little pattern. 

More One Month, One Pattern articles:
Introduction: One Month, One Pattern {Simplicity 1693}
Cotton Ruffles 1M1P #1: One Month, One Pattern Simplicity 1693 {patternreview.com}
Simply Exposure 1M1P #2 {Simplicity 1693}
Flutter Sleeves 1M1P #3 {Simplicity 1693}
From B5997 to S1693 1M1P #4 {Simplicity 1693}
Bishop Sleeves 1M1P #5 {Simplicity 1693}
Turned to a Dress 1M1P #6 {Simplicity 1693}
Fabric Matters 1M1P #7 {Simplicity 1693}
Blue Bird Flutter 1M1P #8 {Simplicity 1693}
It's a Celebration 1M1P #9 {Simplicity 1693}
One Month, One Pattern 2014 Recap {Simplicity 1693}