The resemblance to Wonder Woman’s costume was a happy accident. I made this with Simplicity 2443 — the top is knit and the skirt is woven (all second hand fabric). The dress is very comfortable and has pockets!
More info here
Intermediate
Quick Tip
Before you lay your pieces out on fabric, your fabric must be on grain for a successful garment
Pattern Collections
These plus size festive dresses and blouses in fresh jewel tones let you be the star!
DIY
This one-piece garment is super-easy to sew – and can be styled in many different ways!
Sewing Lesson
Follow this sewing lesson to make yourself a perfect summer romper!
As Seen In
See the latest Pattern Play article in the latest issue of Sew News magazine!
May 19, 2011, 12.24 PMby wildflower31
The bodice is smaller than the waistband, it is one size different, I am using all knit, I would rather fudge at the waist, no extra fabric. I like the grading idea, I was trying to do some type of gather to rectify it, but I really don’t know how to do that, LOL. Thanks so much.
1 Reply
May 19, 2011, 01.26 PMby hoorayforever
Oh, I think you should be okay! Just cut the top edge of the waistband to match the width of the bodice and the bottom edge of the waistband should match the width of the skirt. With all knits it should be forgiving enough.
May 19, 2011, 04.27 AMby NeederMoo
Ahhhh! I want this!!!! Adorable!!!
May 18, 2011, 06.37 PMby wildflower31
Okay after seeing your dress I picked my dress back up, but I have a problem. I am a different size at the top than the bottom. I cut the fabric according to the two sizes I wanted now my bodice and waistband don’t match up. What should I do?
1 Reply
May 18, 2011, 06.49 PMby hoorayforever
Is there enough allowance to grade the two pieces into each other? I am usually smaller in the top and bigger in the bottom, and grade from the smaller top so that the cut edge gradually meets the bigger size at the waist/hip. I had to do that with this pattern — grading the top edge of the waistband piece to match the smaller bodice and the bottom edge to match the larger skirt. So it wasn’t a perfect rectangle in the end.
Is the bodice bigger than the band or the other way around? How big is the difference (one size? three sizes? etc)? Are you using all knits? Do you feel more confident about having “room to fudge” in your top or at your waist? If you don’t have extra fabric to recut anything (waistband?), I would ask these questions and see what kind of compromise you can make.
The pattern’s sizing seems pretty forgiving, especially with stretchy knits — I found there was more ease than I was expecting, so you might end up okay!
May 18, 2011, 05.16 PMby Tara Blockley
Beautiful dress! I have this pattern and want to make it, but I am so new to sewing that it intimidates me a bit. I’ll try and use your tips when I do get around to making it. Thanks!
May 16, 2011, 04.00 PMby wildflower31
I am currently making this dress, my first dress and I appreciate the advise you posted. I love what you have done looks great.
May 14, 2011, 04.27 AMby eddalind
very nice! How did you like the pattern, was it easy to work with?
1 Reply
May 16, 2011, 02.22 PMby hoorayforever
Overall it was easy, the only part that was tricky was attaching the contrasting band/straps to the bodice. I found pinning first, then basting and clipping around those curves, and then stitching to be extremely helpful. I’ve made another since (yesterday actually!) and it also went okay — I was glad to know I wasn’t just lucky the first time!
The pattern has you doing these bands last, but if you do the dress in all knits and skip the zipper, you can do these bands in the beginning, which is better for checking for fit. I’d recommend doing the bands first, if you can. It might not be possible with a zipper, though.
I’d also recommend doing a test garment — I found the neckline to be too low for me, and the bands can get a little “gappy” around the armpits if it doesn’t fit just right.
May 13, 2011, 07.40 AMby loulourosa
Lovely dress, the top is realy well made!
1 Reply
May 13, 2011, 01.12 PMby hoorayforever
Thank you! It was a little tricky, but I found stay stitching and basting to be really helpful.
May 12, 2011, 11.49 PMby scarletohara
love it very cute.
1 Reply
May 13, 2011, 01.18 PMby hoorayforever
Thank you!
May 12, 2011, 04.44 PMby hoorayforever
Thank you!
May 12, 2011, 03.05 PMby Lucha Suarez
Very cute! I love the bright colors, perfect for summer!
1 Reply
May 13, 2011, 01.18 PMby hoorayforever
Thanks! In general I am a fan of bright colors.
May 12, 2011, 02.36 PMby machelefranklin
Great !!
1 Reply
May 13, 2011, 01.19 PMby hoorayforever
Thanks!
May 12, 2011, 02.27 PMby agirlnamedflo
Fantastic! I love the mix of colors and prints:)
1 Reply
May 13, 2011, 01.19 PMby hoorayforever
Thank you! I really like mixing prints and try to when I can.