View C reminds me of an updated version of the ‘drop-waist dress’ of the early 80’s!  Those were not my favorites to wear at the time, but this one is a fabulously modern version with great details.  Gone are the 80’s tiny flower print cottons.  Enter the new mellenium solids and animal prints:

I LOVE this dress.  It fits good and it is comfortable and best of all, it is not like anything else I have in my wardrobe.  And to top it off, it cost under $20 to make.  Don’t get me wrong – I don’t sew to save money.  If that were the case, I would just buy my clothes.  I sew to have one-of-a-kind pieces and for the pure pleasure of sitting at my sewing machine producing something wearable.  I adore fine fabrics, but c’mon, now and then an inexpensive find makes me feel great.  I purchased the black ponte knit, the snakeskin print, and the 22″ metal zipper at my local Hancock Fabric store for just under $20.  The ponte knit was on sale and I used coupons for the snakeskin print and the zipper.

The pattern instructions called for the zipper to be inserted from the top of the bodice piece to the bottom of the bodice where it meets the skirt piece.  The collar was to be secured with a hook and eye closure.  Since I am not particularly fond of hook and eye closures, I opted to insert the zipper from the top of the collar to the bottom of the bodice.  In doing so, I sewed on the collar before inserting the zipper, but I did not sew down the collar facing to the inside until after I inserted the zipper.  Then I foled down the collar facing and enclosed the top portion of the zipper tape into the collar and hand stitched the collar facing to the inside.

The sleeve ‘caps’ are self-lined, but the pattern called for a narrow folded hem finish for the bottom portion of the sleeve opening.  Instead, I finished it with single-fold narrow bias tape that I had on hand.  It didn’t photograph too great because of poor lighting and dark fabric, but here’s a picture of the inside of the sleeve area:

I used my serger to finish all the inside seams and I used the single-fold narrow bias tape to finish the edge of the skirt hem.  And of course, a double-needle (4mm wide) straight stitch hem was in order for the skirt since that is what is standard for knits (and this dress is primarily knit).

Here in Utah, this is a 3-season dress.  I can wear it as is in the Fall and Spring, but I will also be able wear it into the long, cold winter months by adding a close-fitting, long-sleeve knit shirt underneath. 

And now, my blog readers, I have a giveaway!

I have an extra pattern, never been used, never been opened, that I will gladly send to you free of charge.  The pattern sizing is 8-16.  If you would like to sew this up for yourself or a loved one, be the first to make such a statement in the comment section of this post, and I will contact you via email for your mailing address.

Thanks for reading and commenting.  Have a great weekend.