Pattern Review: Simplicity 2176 (The Scribble Dress)

In regards to this hot weather, I figure if you can't lick 'em, you'd better join 'em - or in my case, keep the summer dresses rolling!

Project Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2176 (Project Runway)
Fabric: 1.5m cotton from GJ's Discount Fabrics
Notions: Fusible interfacing, 35cm invisible zipper

Ach, you know me - can't go past the classic pink'n'red combination! It reminds me of my uni days as a science student. I know to the casual observer that there doesn't seem to be an immediate similarity, but bear with me! We used to wear lab coats for half our classes, and when bored would resort to scribbling on them. Sort of like tatts for lab coats. This dress, in a roundabout way, feels like a grown-up version - and is far more flattering to the figure than a lab coat that stinks of horse blood agar! Ah, those were the days - might explain why I now run a website focusing on sustainable fashion, rather than spend all day at a lab bench, hee hee!

Ok, enough reminiscing about the past - let's get to the sewing! This was a pretty easy pattern to make up, with no major adjustments required. The one big quibble I have is that the pattern instructions call for you to press the front bodice seam (the one right over the bust point) towards the centre, rather than clipping the curves and pressing the seam flat open. I did this against my better judgement, and now regret it, as the seam doesn't sit as flat as it should. Darn it! Won't fall for that one again!

Also, I really should have added some pockets to the skirt. The pattern doesn't provide any, but I feel this is a definite contender for pockets. I keep flopping my hands about the skirt, hoping against hope that some pockets have miraculously appeared, but nooooooooo! If I ever make it again, some quickly self-drafted pockets will be a must!

Apart from that, it's a cute easy dress. I quite like the pleats, and can picture a red one in the future with some cute patterned grosgrain trim. Not that I'm planning on any more summer dresses...ahem!