Pattern Review: Simplicity 8379+ Scandalous animal print knit dress

I love this dress!  I’ve made it for me and mini me and I can see one more in my future.  I saw one of my sew sisters make this and she encouraged me to make it.  It’s super simple and flattering, I wasn’t sure of adding any extra in the hip area, but it works.  I encourage you to give this dress a try, if you can rock it short, do you, but I added missionary level length as that’s just my style.  Don’t forget to check out the tips and techniques used on this garment, I’ve added a link to a tutorial for the visual learners.   On to the review:

Pattern Description:

 
his knit dress has only one main pattern piece making it super easy to
sew and perfect for beginners. Sized for everyone—includes cutting lines
for sizes XXS to XXL all in one. With easy-to-follow instructions,
anyone from beginner to expert can enjoy making a variety of these for
the summer. The pull-on dress is sleeveless with a round neckline. Use a
knit fabric with a lot of drape to complement the side-draping detail
on this dress

SEWING LEVEL: Beginner/everyone.

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

 
Yes, albeit longer.

Were the instructions easy to follow? 

Yes, they are super easy and the illustration are good, no errors and a beginner could follow them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I like the drape at the sides, it’s a nice twist on a tshirt dress, lots of visual interest.  I also like how easy it is and that the pattern comes with neckbands and arm bands.  The only dislike is that there is one pattern piece for front and back, I may draft a back piece and raise the neckline a bit.

Fabric Used:
Polyester fine rib knit from FabricMart

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I added 3 inches at the bust and 2 inches at the hem.  I also didn’t hem it.

Would you sew it again? 

Yes, maybe a black one.  I will probably size down on this, I sewed my normal big 4 XL size, but this knit is drapey with lots of ease so I could have cut a L.

Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, give this a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Techniques used:  For the Neck and Armbands, I serged them wrong sides together and then attached them to the neckline using the serger.  See a tutorial here.

I want to hear from you, what do you think?  Have you sewn this pattern, did you like it, do you
have plans to sew it?