Refashioning Competition - Finished entry

Here is my Pattern Review entry into the refashioning contest



Pattern Description:
Out of print Simplicity pattern from the 1970's. Girls dress with pleated button down front.


Pattern Sizing:
Size 3

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
No, I changed everything around.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Because I was de-constructing and reconstructing, I didn't follow the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
My favourite part of the pattern was the pleats down the front. Unfortunately that did not make it to the finished item.

Fabric Used:
Shirting Cotton.
Mint green with purple stripes.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
This project is a refashioning of a size XL man's Polo Ralph Lauren button down shirt.
The original garment can be seen here

Originally I wanted to do the dress as depicted on the pattern envelope. No matter which way I laid it though, I couldn't get the pleats to fit into the amount of fabric I had. I ended up cutting the pattern with the pleats folded in.

The pattern was yoked with the buttons at the front, but I ended up putting them at the back so I could have the horizontal and vertical stripes on the front of the dress.


To cut the pattern I joined the yoke and skirt pattern pieces together and cut them as one section from the original shirt.


The facings were cut from leftover fabric.


I changed the buttons on the back of the dress to flatter pink buttons. The original logo stayed on the dress and I haven't decided whether to unpick it or not.


I ended up with cute A-line dress with button down back that looks nothing like the original pattern. But at the same time I did use the pattern to get the dress to look the way it does. I hope that makes sense.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would definitely sew this again, either to refashion another shirt, or else I would love to make this pattern in its entirety.

Conclusion:
Very cute way to recycle a man's shirt that would be suitable for a large range of girls sizes.

Bonus Reading my Blog Photos