This is an old dress pattern, but one I’ve used several times for projects over the years. It’s a great simple empire-waisted take on a shift dress, and I am amazed how many times I turn to it when someone (or I) want a new sleeveless dress. I like the fact that it doesn’t have long bodice darts (oops! I mean princess darts? The darts that extend from under the bust, through the waist to the upper hip area), because those are a fitting nightmare to me, especially for myself.
And since my last version of this dress has been worn to a rag, I thought I’d like a new one. I made it up out of a stretch cotton remnant from EmmaOneSock.com but there was barely a yard, and I ran out of length. So I faced the hem with scraps. It’s a little bit short for my taste, but I’m sure it will wear well!
I lined it with bemberg from my stash. It’s a super comfy dress! The stretch-cotton is a bit heavier than the pattern calls for, so I may have it for a while! Here’s the back view. I made quite a significant short-waist adjustment combined with a high-hip adjustment. You can see it could have been a little bit shorter, too, by the slight lines at my waist. I know it’s usually taken care of my a sway-back adjustment by folding out the excess, but I find this messes with the grainlines a little to much – perhaps because I need to do such a significant adjustment – a total of 2 inches in length.
I made two other adjustments: I raised the neckline by one inch and I did my usual FBA. Here’s my goof-off pose for Me Made May ’13. 
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Mezzo Couture 
I really like this length and don’t think it looks even slightly too short. Lovely colour too …
You have inspired me – one yard of fabric and facing the hem with scraps, okay, I need to try that next time I have a yardage crisis
Fabulous color on you! And love the goof-off pose.
BTW I meant to ask you several times…I’m intrigued by your Sway Back alteration technique. Can you do a post on it with photo or illustration of what it looks like? Thanks!
Oy, that’s a lot of writing and picture taking! I always intend to document these things, but then I get going and mid-way through the project I remember that I wanted to take pics at every stage and then it’s too late. I’ll put a sticky note on my sewing machine for the next time I’m making a top/dress, so you can see what I do.
Oh, I love this dress! so very cute shape, and the print is such rich and lovely autumnal colours, in fact I love everything about it!. You look gorgeous.
Wow, I actually think I have this pattern somewhere, AND I know I have the perfect cotton print for it. Thanks for the inspiration, yours is beautiful. Color, fit, etc is great.
I have this pattern in my collection, so I was very interested to see your version of the dress. it is very pretty. And a great color. One yard of fabric for a dress. wow!
Very beautiful dress. The fabric print is just right to add a splash of color. Thanks for sharing.
Your dress looks good on you, I don’t think it is too short.
Pretty dress, great colour on you too.
Great little number, lovely done
Very cute – such a great summery dress!
The empire line is perfect for summer dress. Interested to read about the lack of bodice darts… Sounds good to me!
There’s small bodice darts at the bottom of the bodice (and I had to add bigger ones at the side seams – thanks FBA). But the princess darts (underbust darts?) that extend through the waistline are complete nightmares for me. I haven’t quite managed them yet which is probably why I like this pattern so much. I suppose at some point in my life I’ll have to take the time to master the fitting on a traditional sheath dress with front and back darts.
I told you already: Love this. I think it suits you. I like the above-the knee hemline, the print is great and you are posing better than Kate Moss!
The dress looks lovely and you look lovely in it!
What a fun happy dress!
Did i understand correctly that you made a dress from a single yard of fabric?? Amazing! Lovely print too! I wish we had sleeveless weather here but we are still wearing jackets and raincoats…
I like this dress so much I had to order it off of Etsy before commenting on your post! What a flattering design – love you in orange too!
Yay for you!!! 🙂 Can’t wait to see your version. It’s a fabulous pattern – one of my fave!
This is very pretty! I like the length, wouldn”t want it any longer, looks nice and summery this way.