A new dress from an old fave pattern

A new dress from an old fave pattern

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• 4.22.2011

I love Cynthia Rowley's pattern 2497 for Simplicity.  I have made it or variations on it several times before, as a dress, top, or short dress/swimsuit cover-up!

I wanted to make something similar again, this time inspired by a cute dress I saw on a girl at work the other day.  It was made of a sheer print and had a ruffle in the front in a bib shape, rather than curving around the neckline.

I bought some of JoAnn's "Simply silky prints" or whatever they're called, when there was a good sale.  It only took a yard or so!  I love the neutral colors in this one.

(Forgive me: my official blog photographer (fiancé!) is out of town this weekend so I had to take the pics myself.  Without a mannequin or knowledge of how to use my camera timer, this is the best I can do for pics!)

I lined it with another neutral, and made up the ruffle by cutting it on the bias and gathering and hemming!

I did a few things differently from the pattern, as you can see.  The full lining meant I didn't need a bias binding around the neck and armholes.  And I put the zipper on the side instead of in the back.
It fits pretty well but is lower-cut than I would prefer.  I'll have to see if I'm comfortable with wearing it to work as-is!

You can't see the length in these pics but I cut it to the pattern version C.  It's a great length.  The skirt is fully lined, too.

I love the natural waist!  And gathers around the bust.