Orange Shift: Simplicity 1609

While Mehetabel was on her honeymoon, I decided to whip up an easy summer dress in the hopes it would be one for the win column.  Well-- Not so much. 

 

Simplicity 1609 is a Jiffy pattern re-issued from the 1960s.  I was feeling nostalgic, and that's probably why I went ahead with this pattern even though I had a few misgivings after seeing some other versions on the internet.  There were some adorable versions too, but alas, this isn't one of them!   I also was concerned that the neckline/shoulders would be awkward, but I did like the A-line shape.

I purchased the pattern, on sale, for 99 cents, and used a very old piece of fabric that I had previously used for bodice muslins for bridesmaid dresses.  So really, my only risk was in the time it took me to cut and sew this dress.

 

I knew there would be a possibility that the dress wouldn't fit well since Mehetabel was gone for several weeks and I couldn't fit it on her.  I did compare her measurements with the pattern pieces, and I wound up making one size larger than normal.  And it shows.  The dress is comfortable and cool, but...

 

I think it is just okay.  I'm sure if I tweaked the fit considerably, it would be fine, but I just don't think it is worth it when there are so many other patterns available!  It'll be fine for running errands on hot days.

I used a tangerine invisible zipper for the back closure.  All seam allowances were finished with the serger.

I had some orange bias seam tape on hand, so I used that to finish the hand-stitched hem.

Phooey.  I started this blog to track my sewing "hits and misses," and this is a miss.  Oh well.  I'll be back with a better looking dress soon!

 

I received several e-mails asking if there really was a live porcupine at Mehetabel's wedding.  Yes, indeed, there was, and here's photographic evidence, above.  The porcupine was very calm and spent most of her time munching on carrot sticks.

 

I have yet to see a live porcupine in my yard, but it is overrun with rock chucks, aka yellow bellied marmutes--they look like 24-lb pear-shaped squirrels.  And, they don't seem to care for weeds, but they love my lawn and just about every flower I've planted.  Varmints!  They are cute little beasts, prodigious diggers and breeders, and they aren't scared of me at all!