This is Simplicity 1301 in a floral Cotton/Lycra blend with short Ambiance rayon lining. I will definitely make this pattern again. I love the bateau neckline, slim fitting bodice, lack of a waist seam, and the slits on each side at the hem.
This dress has just two primary pieces – the front and back – which would make you think it’d be super-fast and easy to make, but it’s fitted with fourteen (!) darts: one on the front and back of each shoulder, two bust darts, and eight contour darts around the waist.
The wide bateau neckline makes the waist look smaller and balances the hips a bit.
❤️
Unfortunately, due to a minor cutting mishap (I moved the zip from the side to the back and initially forgot to add a seam allowance), I didn’t have enough fabric to attempt matching the pattern.
I love the invisible zipper foot on my Bernina.
I used fabric remnants from my last dress (my second Deer & Doe Belladone) as facings that I hand stitched to the lining.
I had to improvise a bit on the inside along the slits since I was unhappy with the pattern design. I chose to use bright yellow bias tape to conceal the overlooked (aka: ugly) fabric edge.
Pattern (Size 16; Bust 34) mods that I remember:
- Moved the zip from the side seam to the back.
- Removed 1.25″ in length from center back and faded to 0″ at side seams.
- Lengthened the bust darts by 1/2″ each
- Deepened the outer back contour darts by 1/4″ each
- Removed 5/8″ from top of back seam fading to 0″ about 8″ down
- Removed 6″ from skirt length and moved the marking for the side slits up accordingly.
Dress Handmade 