Simplicity 4721 - Border Print Dress

Oh, this poor old neglected blog...so sad. Sometimes I think I should close it down rather than letting it sadly limp along like a wounded animal. I get close to pulling the trigger and then make something and find myself wanting to tell the blog about it. There is hope. The lack of posts are not for lack of sewing. There has been sewing. Much sewing. The lack of posts are more a reflection of a lack of quiet time and free energy. I do find I really appreciate having a record of my makes and perhaps some negotiating of the priorities could free up some blogging energy. For now, limp along with me, will you?

I made clothes for each of my three kids for the Easter holiday last week. Time was tight, so I cut some time by using patterns that I had used before. In some cases, it helped to know the construction method. In others, it was very helpful to know that the fit was already tweaked. The three kids were coordinated in navy blue and white, but they each used different fabrics. We'll start with the oldest...

I used the same pattern that I used for this dress (Simplicity 4721), but with a different bodice view. I added a bit more length and a wee bit of width. There is some gaping at the right armhole (nicely accentuated by her pose above), which I didn't notice until very late in the process. I made no attempt to fix it. And I'm okay with that.

The neckband with rickrack edging and the band at the waist seam are my additions. It seemed like the dress needed something extra and they help tie it together with my younger daughter's dress.

I didn't consider any sort of pattern matching while I was cutting out, but it maybe would have been a good idea. The center back seam and the right side back in particular look somewhat awkward.

Even though the calendar says "Spring," the weather is saying, "ummm...not so much." A (purchased) cardigan to wear over the sleeveless dress was essential. But, we have gotten by without tights! There is hope!