I made this popular reprinted Simplicity pattern. Like many other people, I loved the empire waistline, the slash/boat neck and the waist darts. And like many other people, I was disappointed with my finished dress because it was just so much bigger than I expected. I know it's a jumper/pinafore and supposed to have ease, but the envelope lists cotton as a recommended fabric, implying that it could be made up as a light-weight summer dress - which is what I tried to do, using a gorgeous vintage printed cotton that I think was originally meant to be sheeting. I made the size 8, which is right for my measurements, and the result is ok, certainly wearable, but not quite what I wanted. See how in the last picture the excess fabric is standing up off my hips. If I spend time making twelve darts, I would like the fabric to be a lot closer to my body than that! I might make this dress again, making the smaller size on the skirt and grading between the 6 and 8 on the back and front bodice, though making sure not to make the armholes any smaller!
