Simplicity 2174 Amazing Fit dress finished.

I had my first swim in the sea today, and even though the water was rather cold, I think I can safely say that summer has begun and I now have a chance to wear the dresses I've made during the last 4 months plus one or two more that I intend to sew. Yesterday I finished another cotton dress - Simplicity 2174. I really like this pattern and I think it turned out more flattering than I expected. Here is the review of this pattern that I wrote for patternreview com. I was surprised that I was the first to review this pattern as I thought it would be a popular choice.

photo added 28th May 2011

                               

Pattern Description: Ladies dress with individual pattern pieces fro A,B,C,D cup sizes and two different necklines and lengths

Pattern Sizing: Sizes 6-14 and 16-24. I cut a Size 16 with the C cup pattern pieces.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? As with all Amazing Fit patterns, the instructions were very detailed and easy to follow. They really help you get that perfect fit. The only thing I can't understand is why with Amazing Fit dresses they tell you to sew the facings before the zipper. It's more difficult that way to finish the top of the zipper and facings neatly.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I particularly like the sweetheart neckline, the waistline and the pockets even though I wasn't sure that I wanted pockets before I started sewing it. There's nothing I dislike about this pattern.

Fabric Used: Cotton print.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Fortunately, Simplicity Size 16 patterns fit me almost perfectly so I only had to make the waistline and hip area slightly bigger

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?I would definitely recommend this pattern to others especially to those who are learning to get the right fit. I'm going to use this pattern again for another cotton dress. ( You can't have too many cotton dresses during our hot summers) I'm also thinking about making it a third time in silk but then I would have to omit the pockets and that would probably involve making the side front pattern pieces again so that would be a new challenge for me.

Conclusion: I think the pattern envelope should include pictures of all versions of this dress and not just the drawings. It's difficult for beginners to imagine what the finished dress would be like just from the drawing.

Here's a photo of my dress on a hanger - I'll try to add a photo of me wearing it later on. I think I'll make another cotton dress with this pattern using the lilac floral print pictured in one of my previous posts.