Dress #3 - Alice in Wonderland?

So, where have I been?! As warned, I've been busy working a lot but am now finally starting to wind down and have been back at my sewing machine working on a few things (I do love having several projects on the go at the same time!)

So first up I'm going to tell you about a project that started almost 4 weeks ago when a new pattern arrived, and which is now almost finished - just the hem to do. I enjoyed using this pattern, as it fit pretty well without much adjustment and it seems to be kind of a 'wardrobe staple' dress pattern according to other blogs, so hopefully I'll use it a few times. The pattern is Simplicity 2444:



I decided for my first attempt (and only my third ever dress, after all!) that I should make the most simple of the designs - view A / the top left in the dress view here:

Also I decided to line this dress, partly because I'd had a bad experience with dress #2 fraying along the seams even though I'd overlocked (but not with an overlocker/serger) the seams, and the insides looked a mess and I didn't want to risk the wear on the seams for this dress.

The blue fabric was already in my stash, having been donated by my grandmother around Christmas time, but I still had to buy the lining fabric and a zip - but not even any thread, as my wonderful grandma had also donated some thread, one particular reel of which was a great match! So this dress probably cost me about £6ish to make.

Here's the result, sorry about the awful pic but you'll be used to that from me by now already!



I like the fit, although there seems to be some small amount of bagginess at the waist to chest area, but not enough to bother me. I really should have done my hair for this pic. Ah well.

As you can probably see, the hem is still only pinned and needs to be finished off, but it's just about there! Really pleased with it, my only concern is that it might be a little bit too Alice in Wonderland...

Just the facts:
Fabric: from (Grandma's!) stash, free
Pattern: Simplicity 2444
Year: contemporary
Notions: invisible zip, lining
Time to complete: not sure, let's just say a month!
First worn: not yet worn out, needs hemming first
Wear again? Yes, maybe even for work; definitely with a white apron and blonde wig for fancy dress parties!
Total cost: about £6ish

Finally I want to thank all the lovely contributors at The Sewing Forum for their help when I've needed it. I would thoroughly recommend signing up whether you're a beginner or an old hand, it's a great community of advice and thoughts on a range of sewing subjects, based in the UK but open to all. Go check it out!