Just found out I haven't blogged about this dress, and I wore it yesterday for Me-Made March week 2. So I'm just doing a super quick one before I do a quick Me-Made March post.

Pattern: Simplicity 2550 Dress

Fabric: Cotton/synthetic blend suiting fabric from Spotlight.

Date made: May 2010

Date first worn: May 2010

Wear again? Yes, but it wrinkles a lot around the waist especially from sitting the whole day at work.

Sew again? Yes, but I'd like to try the cowl neck view.

Recommended? Yes, it's a bit more advanced, but a good step up from beginner patterns.

Sizing and alterations: Probably a 4 for the shoulders and sleeves then grading up to a 6 at the bust and an 8 from waist to hem. Possibly altered for narrow back by taking in the center back seams.

Fabric prep: Not likely.

Cutting: Eyeballed grain lines, used cheap fabric shears which are better for me than heavy metal shears.

Marking: Used white tracing paper.

Instructions: The pleating part was all new to me so that was a bit hard to follow for someone like me who doesn't know left from right.

Sewing: This must have taken a long time to sew with the pleats, princess seams, set-in sleeves. I love the invisible zipper though. The closest colour I had in my stash was light blue and I managed to sew a very invisible zipper that the colour didn't matter so much.

Oh and I just remembered one of the shortcuts I took before when sewing a dress with a waist seam. Instead of finishing the bodice and skirts separately, I would leave the side seams of both pieces unsewn and then sew the front bodice to front skirt, back bodice to back skirt, and then sew the back to front at the seams.

Conclusion: I don't know why, but these photos seem to highlight the worst bits of the dress. The sleeve and princess seams aren't smoothest, but I think it's fine. My biggest concern with this dress I'm starting to feel dowdy in it (I used to like it.)

Notes for future sewing:

• If it's not smooth, unpick and re-sew!
• Finish bodice and skirt separately, then sew together at waist seam.