Pattern Review: Simplicity 2443 Dress and Jacket

Sorry to keep you waiting! I finally have pictures of this outfit. If someone could come up with a camera that gives you perfect lighting, takes off twenty pounds, and gives you the perfect facial expression- I would pay a pretty penny for it... lol! I could not make this outfit look good indoors or out on camera. Maybe it's the hot pink color... I don't know. I'm still not satisfied with the pics but I give up!

Pattern Description: Misses' dress with knit bodice and jacket or vest.

Pattern Sizing: Sizes 6-22 are available. I made a 16.

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? I found that the instructions for both the jacket and the dress were fine.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The jacket- I really love all of the details of the jacket. The pockets are really cute. I like the sleeves with the banded hem. I like the loop and ribbon closures.

The dress- I love the shape of the dress. It almost looks like a ballerina style dress. I love the banding along the neckline and arms. I also like the back- it comes in like a racer back.

I don't have any dislikes.

Fabric Used: For the dress, I used a hot pink jersey knit from Fabric.com. It cost me $10. I found that the knit was just a little too thin for my liking. Next time I make the dress, I will use something with a little more weight.

For the jacket, I got a navy linen blend with metallic threads in it. That cost me $6- it was on clearance at Joann's. I really like the metallic in the jacket- the pictures don't do it justice.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I shortened the dress by about 1-2". I did not put in the pockets. I did put in the zipper but I find that I could have gotten away without it because of the 4 way stretch in the knit.

I did not make any changes to the jacket. The one thing I would change if I make it again is to lengthen the arm bands. I find that I have to do this for any garments with arm bands because I do not have pencil arms. Sometimes I forget to make the adjustment. It looks OK, but would be better lengthened.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I definitely want to sew the dress again. I could have this dress in ten different colors- I love the style and it is perfect for warm weather dressing. I also like the jacket a lot. I think I would like to make it in a tan or gray khaki next time so that it has more versatility. Yes- I would recommend both pieces.

Conclusion: I love this outfit- I wore it out to dinner with my hubby for his birthday!




~Byrdie