My first make of 2015 is my second version of Sewn Square One‘s Go Anywhere Dress. I learned from my first version (here) and, this time around, started with the extra small size. The fit wasn’t quite spot-on, so I did need to make some adjustments:

• Took in the princess seams above the bust
• Took in princess seams in lower back area
• Used smaller seam allowances at the hips down to the hem

After these tweaks, I think the fit is pretty good.  I’m not sure about the color, though.  I love the pattern, but it makes me look even paler than normal–quite a feat.  It looks much better on with the jacket, I think, since the tan color is not near my face. Either that, or there is less paleness exposed in general.

Construction-wise, this dress is more finished than my first version. Again, it is finished with facings (not sure how I feel about facings in general, but that’s another story).  Since this fabric isn’t a fraying monster, I just pinked the seams and then hand tacked the facings down at the seam allowances of the princess seams.  I didn’t make any attempt to match the pattern at the seams.  I don’t regret it.

This may be one of my best zippers.  I inserted it without any problem on my first try (!) after having hand basted it in.  Hand basting really was worth the extra effort and ended up saving time since I didn’t have to redo any of the zipper. I actually did more hand stitching than normal on this dress, between tacking down the facings, basting in the zipper, and invisibly stitching the hem.

Materials-wise, this fabric is actually upholstery fabric.  It is slightly stiff, but I wouldn’t have thought it was upholstery fabric if it wasn’t labeled that way.  I used a regular zipper and heavy duty thread that my mom left at my place after working on a project with leather.

All-in-all, I think I actually like my blue dress better than this version.  Because it is a solid rather than a print, it seems to be easier to mix and match with other items in my wardrobe.  I’m a little disappointed, really, because I saved this fabric for my “good version” and ended up liking the first one better.  Oh well, you live and learn. I do think I will still wear this dress quite a bit.  It fits well into my dressy-casual lifestyle and does layer well for these mild winters.