Finished: BPF SS-09-406

Pattern Description:
High waisted dress with epaulets, high collar, buttoned front bodice, and four panel skirt.

Pattern Sizing:
European plus size 46 - 54

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Considering the typical BWOF instructions, these instructions were easy to follow.

Pressing the collar seams open over a point presser is a step typically omitted from most instructions, especially BWOF instructions. This fabric was slightly heavier than standard blouse or dress weight fabrics and the collar seams really needed to be pressed open before turning. The edges are so much neater once the collar is turned right side out! That is a step I sometimes omit, but no more.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the high waist silhouette on this dress.

Fabric Used:
A linen-look purchased from Jo-Ann. I fell in love with the color. It was prone to ravel, but the raveling was easily tamed by serging.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
One of the design features on this dress is the high collar, achieved by an extremely high collar stand. I wasn't sure if the collar would be flattering. After making a muslin of just the bodice, I decided to change the collar by bringing down the collar stand by about 1/2 an inch. I also lengthened the bodice so that the seam would fall below my bustline.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
This could very easily be a TNT dress pattern. It's a basic style and I should be able to make design changes and customize it. I don't usually make patterns more than once, but this pattern deserves a second or third attempt.

Conclusion:
When I first tried on this dress during the sewing process, I thought, "Oooo, I like this dress!" Then, I thought, "Carolyn would have a field day playing with this pattern!".