Pattern Review: New Look 6342; Sheath Dress with Overbodice

The Story

The story behind the first dress I made with this pattern is detailed here. I really liked the ease and fit of it that I used it to make another dress (the purple one below) for a friend's wedding when my first design wasn't turning out so great and I did not have a lot of time left (I finished the armhole facings, ironed the dress, put it on, added accessories and left for the wedding).

Pattern Description
Misses' Dress with or without Overbodice
Pattern includes sleeveless or short sleeve dress, sleeveless dress with overbodice and trim option, and short sleeve dress with overbodice.

Pattern Sizing

I cut a 10-14 because I am smaller on top than below. :p
I used gift tissue paper to trace out a 10 from the shoulders to the waistline and then a 14 from the waistline to the hem. Around the waistline, I used curved lines to join both halves for the dress bodice.
I cut a size 10 for the facings and the pieces for the overbodice.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it?

Yes (with consideration for the alterations I made).

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Very easy and straightforward.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked how easy it was to make and all the possible variations available.
It's a basic sheath dress and gives the user room to try out various ideas.

I think a variation with a slit or kick pleat on the back bodice would have been a nice addition.

Fabric Used
African print fabric - 100% cotton.
Organza

Pattern alteration or any design changes you made

For the first dress, I made View C but with the sleeves for View D. I replaced the armhole facings with bias tape (I thought it would reduce bulk but in hindsight, the facings would have been better).

For the second dress, I made View D and I added about 5 inches to the length, 3 inches to the length of the front darts (lesson learned from the first one), 2 layers of gathered ruffles and a strip of ribbon. I also lined it this time.

Would you sew it again?

Yes!!!

Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, it would be great even for a beginner and could serve as a good foundation to try various design ideas.

 

Sheer Sheath Dress - June's Make of the Month

* Things have been really busy (good busy) with custom orders and showcase events so I have missed a couple of #MakeOfTheMonths. 

• For March, it was supposed to be a clamshell purse. I got as far as drafting the pattern and cutting out a muslin before I had to put it aside for more pressing work.
• For April, it was a new take on the popular tulip iro and buba sets (google it - very lovely). I created the iro (wrapper) but it turned out a bit bigger than I wanted. It's in my pile of to-be-adjusted clothes and I still have to create the matching buba (top).
• For May, it was a men's blazer which was to be a birthday gift for one of my favorite people. I've cut out most of the pieces and hope to finish it up in a couple of weeks so hold on ...

Last week though, I had a selfish self-love moment where I put aside the work I was doing for others for one night to do something for myself. That became June's Make of the Month: a sheath dress in African print fabric (thank you, Aunty) with an organza overlay. 

The evening started thus:
(walking into my sister's room)
Me: I've decided to make a dress tonight - should only take a couple of hours ...
Sis: OK ...
(8 hours later)
Me: Done :)

**  Enjoy the pictures below :).
I'm thinking of entering this into the PGS (Pretty Girls Sew) Sew Challenge for this month.

*** Check us out on Instagram @zichie_designs.

Out and About (Church) in My New Dress

Views From the Top

Front, Side and Back Views (Different Light Exposures)

My dressform will be wearing this for a while ...