Dusty Rose Bow Neck Dress : Simplicity 8216 Review

Well, here we are. Halfway through October and so close to Thanksgiving. Can you feel the vacation time or is it just me? Perhaps it just me. Regardless, we're deep into fall, and I am still focused on sewing staple and/or transitional pieces. 

Very few of my fall/winter garments can be considered "transition into spring" appropriate. That's why this dress is so unique. Simplicity 8216, unfortunately, is out of print (OOP) but you can still find it on Amazon. I think this pattern would be great for an intermediate sewist interested in learning about collars. I've done a few projects with collars, but not enough for me to feel confident enough to take the big leap and make a traditional button-up collar shirt. The fabric is a light weight crepe from Hobby Lobby. I tried very hard to find it online but I couldn’t. I purchased it at the beginning of summer, so it is not likely that you could find it in the store now.

This pattern features a tunic or mini dress with an elastic waist. It can be made with flutter sleeves or long sleeves and as a bow blouse or stand collar. For my look, I went with the mini dress with flutter sleeves but used the bow for my neckline instead of the stand collar. This was my first project with a back yoke but it came together without error. I own a few shirt dresses with back yokes, which is why I was initially drawn to this pattern. I cut the size 10, and I did not make any fit adjustments. In hindsight, I should have graded to a size 8 from the waistline to the hem. I did lengthen the pattern by three inches because I wanted my dress to stop at my knees. I went with the flutter sleeve, instead of the long sleeve, because this color would also look great in early spring, and I wanted sleeves that match spring weather. This was my first time doing an elastic waist project that did not require me to place the elastic in the seams. Instead, you will sew the front and back bodice piece together, then take bias tape and stitch it inside the dress. Of course, this means that your thread will be visible on the right side of the dress, so make sure you are using matching thread.

I really like this dress, but I don't know if I will make another one anytime soon. I would not consider this a staple piece, but it is work and night out attire. Simply throw a blazer over it for work or match it with a loose fit cardigan for date night for a more casual look.

Before I sign off, let’s talk shoes. These are the Ellis Mable by Clarks. This shoe is stylish but also extremely comfortable. I bought them on clearance without considering whether it would match anything in my closet. However, one big perk of making your wardrobe is you can buy shoes that don't match anything in your closet and make a few garments to revolve around that shoe.  That’s my plan for this shoe, and this dress was the first piece. I have already purchased fabric and picked a pattern for the next piece for this shoe, and I can’t wait to share it with you all next month. I received so many compliments when I wore this dress, so it was definitely a win. Plus, I am looking forward to styling this in the spring. Until next time, happy sewing.