simplicity 2444 | Made in my living room

You probably know by now that the sewing blogosphere (coordinated by Sarah) is celebrating Roisin’s wedding by making a Sew Dolly Clackett fit and flare dress. As you read this, you might have already uploaded your dress in the Flickr group, since I’m probably the last one to upload mine – today is the last day and I’m almost too late.

I love all of Roisin’s dresses and I usually end up buying the patterns she’s using. This time it was Simplicity 2444.

I used this cotton sateen with a watercolor-like print. It somehow reminded me of this beautiful Oscar de la Renta dress. Yes, those are flowers and mine doesn’t have any, and mine is way busier, but well… it’s probably all the crazy colors on a white background that looked similar to me.

After measuring the pattern I cut the pattern 2 sizes smaller than the envelope said I should. I shortened the bodice by 2cm and I made the skirt 50cm long, but I see now that it’s not a great length for me. Not short, not long/midi, just somewhere there around the knee. I might cut another 5 cm, and next time I make the dress I’ll use the pattern length.

I didn’t read reviews of this pattern yet, but I wonder if anybody else had issues with the sleeves. I couldn’t ease those in for the life of me, I had to gather them a bit at the top. I don’t mind that, I love gathered sleeves, but the instructions and drawings were pretty clear – the sleeves should be eased in the armscye and no gathering is mentioned.