Cashmerette Appleton Review and Help With My Coffee Dress

I’m very surprised I haven’t made this dress yet!  In my defense, I have so many patterns and I love them all, I do forget what I have until I get inspired and start sifting through the pattern bin.  This is a possible contender for my day/coffee dress for the Day and night Dress Challenge hosted by Elizabeth Made this.  I love wrap dresses, well dresses period and I really enjoy making them.  I’ve learned a lot about fitting and fabric so I hope my dresses will get more wear an not end up in the donate pile.

I purchased a few yards of ITY before Hancock’s closed, because ITY was cheap and I liked the prints, I have a lot of it.  Knowing what I know now, I would have stocked up on bottom weights, coating, wool and some sweater knit.  Well, hind sight is 20/20 so I wont cry over spilled milk.  I’m not a seasons person per say, but I felt the print on this dress was best suited for the fall, I don’t know they colors remind me of fall, and the 70’s!

So, for my coffee dress, it will be either the Appleton, Vogue 8896 or Butterick 6525, I need help picking which one.  I have some French Terry knit in my stash and some Ponte so I’ve narrowed it down to these three.

French Terry from LA Finch Fabrics.

On to the review:
 

Pattern Description:

 
Meet the Appleton Dress, your new
wardrobe staple. This classic wrap dress is designed to play up your
curves with a crossover front, a built-in waist tie, and a deep V-neck.
Designed by and for curvy women, the Appleton’s innovative neckband
construction prevents gaping across your bust. Do a celebratory shimmy,
because this bodice has you well covered!

SEWING LEVEL: Advanced beginner (working with knit, negative ease and hemming knits)

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

 
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

 
Yes, and there’s a sew along to help with the fiddly bits lol.  Instructions are clear, make sure you mark your pattern pieces so you know left from right and you should be good.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I like the different bust sizing, the way the neckline hugs your body and the true wrap ties.  There are no dislikes with the pattern.

Fabric Used:
ITY knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
I made a 18 C/D cup and graded to 20 at waist and hem.  My husband says it looks good , really good (wiggles eyebrows) and it is super comfortable.  I didn’t know ITY’s came in different weights when I purchased mine so this one is a little light weight so I would like to try a Jersey with some body to see how it behaves.   I will make a straight 20 next time because the pattern has negative ease or I will go up a cup size.  I may also lengthen the sleeves an inch and maybe lengthen the hem an inch.  I’m happy with the length, but depending on the knit I use and if it has length wise stretch (going up and down) will determine if I lengthen it. Next time I will need to do a one inch bicep adjustment.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Absolutely!  I highly recommend.  Jenny has a great Facebook group and they have lots of information.  Had I checked with them before cutting I would have made the straight 20.  The directions are clear and the finished measurements show it has negative ease, I just didn’t pay attention to it, I wanted to to try it just as drafted.  I wasn’t disappointed, in truth I would make it just they way it was without any changes and I would still love it.

What do you think about the Appleton in lightweight French Terry for my day dress?  My sewing friend Viv from Stitches and Seams says it’s secret pajamas!  Or do I go with Vogue 8896 or Butterick 6525?  The two wrap dresses will be in either the lightweight French Terry or ITY knit and Butterick will be in a Ponte knit.