Simplicity 8573 and Vintage Pledge

Well it's been a busy summer holiday season what with ageing parents and young children. It's been that 'busy but relaxed' sort of time - many activities, like the day at the big rambling park with lots of friends and cousins and the kids with their bikes and scooters and long picnic table with food. It made for a really fun day and the bonus was that it was so cool at the park despite the 34 deg celsius. 

I actually made this a couple of months ago and have worn this to death. I have spoken of it but had no pictures with me wearing it. It's a Simplicity Jiffy Plus pattern - what's the plus mean? I don't know... maybe a bit more complex? Anyway it was quick and easy.  A couple of things to note about the pattern. See the ties? They are just threaded through channels on the right side of the dress and the back is one piece but the front is made of the top bodice and the skirt part. I omitted the pockets so the pattern would be seen. I also didn't use buttons, but made the button holes and put the straps through and tied them in a knot and then sewed it down... this slips easily over my head with no loosening of the ties even.

 Some bad photos ... I was just going to the pool for aqua aerobics (you can see my tog straps) and thought it is probably my only opportunity for a snap. I love the diagonal on the front.

The back lines are straight as mentioned before, it's one piece with the channel for the ties sewn on the right side. I used a sarong I bought in Singapore in 2009 (I love shopping and eating in Singapore) and if you notice, I used the 'fancy' panel that is normally on the front when wearing a sarong for the front, and the balance of the fabric I used on the back. Surprisingly, a sarong was the perfect size for this dress.

The pattern was actually a bit wider down the bottom but I straightened it a bit to fit the sarong width. With a drapier fabric I think it would be fine but as a sarong is made of lovely cotton, it was actually better this width for me. 

The colours are exactly right here.

I knew the top wouldn't be big enough and the two piece front - bodice and skirt pattern pieces - made it easy to do a full bust adjustment. I tried two methods but felt the usual one seen was the more accurate. I did forget to add extra on the back piece for the added length on the front piece, but I just gathered it lightly on the front piece to fit the back, which was fine. I also gathered the extra length of the under bust seam with gathers and as the ties gather the dress, it is worked out well. The only thing I didn't think to do is to lower the neckline... I think when you have a large bust it looks better with a lower neckline.. I'll cut it down by about 5 or 6 cm. If I had enough scrap I'd do it for this as it kind of bothers me a bit being so high.

Other than the neckline, I am pretty happy with this dress. It's perfect for a hot day and it's a good style for me. I like a shorter length but I think it would look terrible with the sarong print cut off so I've left it. I still have to finish those Burda trousers by just putting on the waistband but my sewing room is so messy I have to tidy it before I will do that. I can work in a little mess for a while, but I prefer everything in it's place. I'm just trying to make the best use of my 3.5 x 1.7 metre space so may do some rearranging.

Oh the vintage pledge... I'm not a pledger and I rarely join in sewalongs and such like, but I worked out I made many (not sure about 'many') more vintage patterns than I did modern patterns so maybe I should pledge to make 5 vintage patterns this year. Who do I pledge this to?? Can anyone lead me in the right direction? Thanks for reading.