Simplicity 3678- In Coral!

My big accomplishment over the three day weekend was finishing up Simplicity 3678. Please forgive the harsh, noon time sunlight. My regular photographer is at summer camp and I had to take the photos when I had a substitute available.

I made view A, the short sleeve, crossover bodice version, and I love it!

I cut a straight size 16 and made a 5/8" FBA. I also overlapped the bodice pieces an extra half inch in front to keep it modest and prevent gaping. I eased the underbust band on and had no problems. Fortunately, it seems to fit pretty well. Maybe because it's drafted for knits, there doesn't seem to be any excess width through the shoulders.

The skirt is very generously sized. I normally bump out to a size 18 at the hip, but it wasn't necessary on this dress. In fact, I ended up taking the side seams in 1/2" on each side from bust to hem. I could probably even get away with taking a little more in, but I kinda like the loose, easy fit as it is.

Everything was looking good until I tried the dress on and realized that the back was a hot mess. As it's drafted, the extra fullness in back is taken up into gathers at the centerback and stitched to the band, almost exactly like the center front. (That underbust band goes all the way around.) It looked awful. The side view made me look like Humpty Dumpty!

I ended up picking out the stitching (which wasn't fun because I had already serged the seam) and removing the gathers. I basted in two darts instead. Once I had the darts adjusted properly, I sewed them down permanently. I like the new, smooth back much better, and the shape is much more flattering now.

The fabric used for this dress is a printed ponte knit from Hancock Fabrics. I was so amazed to find it that I just had to have it.

I love the colors (coral, dark coral, and white) and the print. The fabric is actually just a smidge heavy for summer, but since I work in an office where the temperature hovers just above freezing, it actually feels quite comfortable at work.

And check out the manicure I wore with it:

I did two coats of Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Posh Plum...

Followed by one coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust, which is a clear polish with very fine holographic glitter in it.

This photo doesn't quite capture the iridescent gorgeousness of it, but one coat adds instant depth and sparkle to any color.

I'm going to give Simplicity 3678 an A+. I'll get lots of wear out of this the rest of the summer and probably into the fall.

Once the weather starts to cool off, I'd like to make View C, with the gathered, square neck bodice and long sleeves. But I'll be making darts in back again. No gathers in back for me!

My next project is a twill skirt. I've already done a muslin and I'm ready to cut into my fabric. I hope to have a nice, quiet weekend to work on it. Do you have any sewing plans this weekend?