Pattern Sizing: I made the dress in a size 12 (the bust for size 12 is 34). I'm a 34/36 bust, so the sizing was accurate as this fit me perfectly with no alterations needed.
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? Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the shape and style. I dislike the regular zipper, and the amount of hand-sewing required to attach the bodice lining to the skirt lining, and the lining near the zipper.
Fabric Used: An olive colored-jungle print from Paron's in NYC.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I did not include the pockets or the back slit. I insertered an invisible zipper by hand, and I machine stitched the bodice lining to the skirt lining to avoid the hand-sewing and have a cleaner-looking interior.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. This is the second time I made this dress. I will probably make it again at some point because I really love the shape and design details of the cap sleeves and pleats.
Conclusion: I really, really love this dress. It turned out a lot more dressy than I thought it would, and I think it's too much to wear to work. But it will be a good dress to wear to a wedding shower, nice dinner, etc. I didn't love the first version of this dress I made, because the fabric did not work well with the dress's style. However, I really like how this print works with the dress style.
The big disappointment of this dress is that the hunter green invisible zipper I inserted by hand turned out to be not so invisible.
It's definitely noticeable. I read somewhere to not rip out seams if you can live with it. I can live with this for now. Though I'll probably end up hunting down an olive colored 22" invisible zipper at some point. Next up is to learn how to insert an invisible zipper when the pattern calls for a regular zipper!
In total, this dress cost about $22.50 to make: the fabric was about $17 (the pattern required 1 1/4 yards of fabric, and the fabric was $14/yard), the lining $2.50 ($2/yard, from Paron's Annex) the thread $2, and the zipper $1.
* * *
Today I cut out fabric for a skirt. No more dresses for a while, I promise! Enjoy the long weekend!