Thursday 19 June 2014

Simplicity 1419 Round Trip Dress: A Wearable Muslin

Earlier in the month I posted about my Simplicity 1419 Round Trip Jacket. I like the look of the dress included in this pattern just as much as the jacket and have plans to make one from some beautiful Japanese cotton from Tessuti. But first, I decided to make a wearable muslin dress out of some fabric scraps to check the fit.

The design of this dress is actually very similar to the Emery dress but with a pleated rather than a gathered skirt, and a front neckline slit and button. I made version B which is sleeveless and has a peter pan collar. I cut a size 12 grading out to a size 14 from the waist onwards.

Simplicity 1419 round trip dress

For the fabrics I used a left over Japanese lawn from Spotlight for the bodice and pockets, and leftover navy broadcloth for the skirt and collar. I used these fabrics last year to make my sister and I BHL Polly Tops. The broadcloth wrinkles like crazy but I love the two contrasting fabrics together.  I made the dress following the instructions precisely and made no adaptions to the pattern (other than grading). I found the neckline a little confusing  as the facing and front bodice are cut without the neckline slit. The slit is cut into the neckline after you sew the facing to the bodice in a diagonal shape with the two sides meeting at a centre front point. It seemed a little confusing at first, but the instructions were spot on. Next time I wont doubt the instructions.

Simplicity 1419 round trip dress

The dress came together very quickly. The bodice has neckline facings and uses binding for the arm hole finishing's but you could easily use the bodice pieces to line it instead. I overlocked all the edges to finish the dress.

Simplicity 1419 round trip dress

I love the final dress, but now have an idea of the changes I want to make for the second version. I definitely need to take some length off the bodice so that the waist sits a little higher. Maybe just half an inch. My next version probably wont have a collar so I hope the neckline doesn't look/feel too high without it. I can always lower it a little.

Simplicity 1419 round trip dress

I just got my hair cut after making this dress. I hate getting my hair in my face so I decided to make a matching headscarf using Bluegingerdoll's free PDF pattern. The pattern is just a glorified rectangle with rounded edges but it was late and it was easier to follow the pattern than take my head measurements etc. I made it double sided to match the dress and I wear it folded over. I think I'll make a few more in different colours.

Simplicity 1419 round trip dress

This is how I actually wore the dress today (sans Jacket). Winter has really set in now. Apologies for more indoor shots but there's not much I can do with the very shorts days we're having. I have some more makes I'll try and get photographed on the weekend outside.   

20 comments:

  1. Lovely dress and very classy.

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  2. I love this dress! And the pattern matching, wow! Well done! I really like the collar, but I think the little slit in the neckline will keep it from feeling too high without it. Great fabric choices too!

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    1. Thanks so much Heather. I didn't worry to much about pattern matching So I think it turned out ok considering. I hope your right about the neckline!

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  3. It looks great - definitely a very wearable muslin! The different fabrics look great together!

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    1. Thanks Ruth :) it certainly will get worn!

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  4. Oh pretty colourblocking! Looking forward to the next version!

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    1. Thanks Amy! Me too! I so often get side-tracked when it some to making the 'real' version SO I hope I can get myself to make it up soon.

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  5. Great version! Love the keyhole, color block and collar! I ended up not making the keyhole on my version of this dress because when I cut out the pattern I ended up misplacing that itty-bitty piece!

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  6. I like this version so much! Nice use of 2 different fabrics. The planned version sounds fab too!

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  7. I really love this pattern, and can see myself enjoying a dress like this. I know I've already said it, but I am crushing on your bob.

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    1. You should definitely give a try! that jacket is uber cute as well.
      Why thankyou! You have such fun hair yourself! I'd love a do like yours, but my hair is too thick for it - boo!

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  8. Holy heck look at that pattern matching at the back zip! I love this dress! And best use of Spotlight cotton lawn I've seen so far. I've got lots of it but no idea what to do with it :(.

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    1. Wow, thank you! The spotlight Lawn is always very tempting. I think its great for summer blouses and floaty dress- although they often need to be lined.

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  9. I just found this Pattern at Spotlight, I was pretty excited, as I wanted it as soon as I saw it! (Got it in the 3 for $10 sale too) Your jacket review sold it for me. The dress looks good too, but i'm forcing myself not to make any summer clothes, as I can'y weear them now (in Melbs too).

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    1. So glad it's finally available in Australia! I was tempted to buy a few in the pattern sale as well. Thankfully the eftpos machine wasn't working and I only had so much cash haha.

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  10. I love this dress on you - great colours/pattern; you'd never know it was made from leftovers - it looks very well planned :) Love the hair too :)

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    1. I guess that's the good thing about regularly sewing in similar colour palette - your leftover can often be used together.
      Thanks :)

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