Simplicity 2443 aka A Perfect Summer Dress

Wow, it has been a while since I posted. I have been sewing a lot, I just hate taking pictures, so most of my finished projects don't make it to the blog. I just counted and I have sewn 19 items of clothing this year, only 6 have made an appearance here. I hope to change that soon, as I really do love sharing what I make. I do use Instagram daily, but use it mostly for pictures of my garden, our pets and our healthy meals. We did the Whole 30 challenge early in the year and it really did change our eating habits. Frank and I have both lost weight and are feeling healthy. I make it to the gym 2-3 times per week, but would love to be more consistent. Anyways, enough catching up, I have a dress to show you.

I've had this pattern for years, I believe it is out of print now. Simplicity 2443 designed by Cynthia Rowley. I have had the fabric to make this for at least a year. I finally cut it out and it came together really quickly.


I left out the zipper and interfacing. I took the shoulders up by about 1" and took it in at the side seams by about 3" at the waist, tapering out to nothing under the arms. Those are typical adjustments for me. I should have shortened the back bodice, which is another typical adjustment. It dips down in the back but it doesn't bother me enough to redo it.

The curves on the bodice are a little finicky to sew. I used a zig zag stich there and went slowly. It is not perfect, but passable. I would make this dress again. I think it is a fun way to mix patterns, but would also look good in a solid. It is a perfect Summer dress! I didn't hem it because I thought it was going to be too short once I turned it up, but I may go back and do that because it seems longer than I thought in these pictures.

Frank took these for me at the Modern Art Museum the other day, by the way. I have to give him photo credit. One reason I hate taking pictures is that we don't have a good camera and just use the iphone. I need to invest in a camera.