Happy Tuesday! Today's blog post will be quick and simple just like this dress!

I purchased three yards of this beautiful brushed polyester knit from JoAnn. Although I only needed about a yard and three quarters, this was the last of its kind on the shelf, so I decided to get what remained on the bolt. I chose Vogue 9199 because I just finished a pattern test and needed to do an uncomplicated project. I have learned that if I do complex projects back to back, I burn out, and I lose my sewjo. I hope to increase the number of "easy transformation" dresses in my wardrobe — something that would look good worn to work and on the weekend. Vogue 9199, with this fabric, definitely fit those requirements. Pair it with heels (in my case, Clark's Ellis Mable) and pantyhose, ready for work. Pair the dress with my limelight oxfords and a midi length cardigan, and I am set for weekend adventures.

I cut view A, size 8, but I should have graded from an 8 at the bust to 6 in the waist. I also lengthened the dress two inches, as I knew that I wanted it to fall slightly above the knee. One thing I did not like was the instructions for finishing the neckline. The neckline was finished with bias tape, as it is written in the directions. But if I make this again I will finish the neckline with a neckband. I also did not do the narrow hem finish; instead, I turned the hem up 5/8 inch one time and stitched with a straight stitch along the along the unfinished edge around the dress hem.

I really love this material, it is extremely soft and has an excellent recovery. I have just enough fabric left to make a top, and I plan on using MimiG Georgia turtleneck pattern to make it. Overall this is a quick sew, and you can have a lot of fun with design lines thanks to the princess seams. It took me a total of 6 hours to make, cut to finish. It took a little longer than anticipated because I changed the pattern piece layout a little before I begin cutting to avoid fabric waste.

I love having a go-to pattern for simple projects. You all can expect a few versions of this dress in the spring. Until next time, happy sewing!