DIY Wool & Leather Dress + Pattern Review

Hi Darlings! Oh my gosh I am blow away by the amount of support I received from all you on the download of my 2013 Mimi G Photo Lookbook! I have also received a lot of requests for a 2012 book so I am working on that now for you. Thank you so much! Todays look is a wool/leather dress I have been meaning to make for some time now and when I saw B5947 I knew it was the right pattern for the look I wanted. 

DIY Dress / Steve Madden Over The Knee Boots HERE / Belt F21

Pattern Description: Misses Dress B5947

Fabric Used: Black Wool HERE / Lambskin Leather HERE / Lining HERE  (Pics of the lining below)

Pattern Sizing: I cut the size 8 and graded down several inches.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they are pretty clear. Goes together rather quickly and has princess seams at the bust so makes fitting easier for beginners. The bodice is lined but in the pattern they do NOT line the skirt 0_0 I never understand that so I made the lining myself.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the sleeve length and the clean lines of the dress.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I had to remove almost 2.5″ from the bodice, but that is normal for me since I have a small bust I am always making an SBA (small bust adjustment) I also cut the skirt the smallest size (8) but I ended up having to take that in too. I have a tertian standard alterations I always make with the big 4 pattern companies. I also lowered the neckline by 5/8″ I wanted the high neckline but without the adjustment I felt chocked.  I suggest checking it before you make your dress, it was rather tight prior to my fixing it. I also used a small piece of lambskin leather I had for the front bodice; it was just enough for what I needed.

Would you sew it again? I think so because it is one of those patterns that you can alter and ad design elements to.

Would you recommend it to others? Yes

FULL LINING 

 Body lining: I made the lining for the skirt by cutting the same pattern pieces given for the skirt in lining fabric.

Both the hem of the lining and the hem of the skirt are served and I blind stitched the hem of the skirt.

The sleeve lining

A look at the zipper on the right and wrong side.