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Simplicity 1755 – Leanne Marshall Dress

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My sewing mojo is running on high gear lately. I think I might have gotten a jump start from sewing costumes (which I’ll blog about at some point when I’m finished, you know, in like the next year). And I’m riding the sewjo wave as long as I can!

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The Goal: Stash busting! I bought this bow fabric months ago from The Common Thread. Been sitting around in my room ever since.

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The Fabric: Mint, gray and white cotton with big bows in stripes. This was a challenge ’cause they’re unconventional stripes and the bows and ribbons change each row. It’s a whole bunch of subtly different bow prints which makes it incredibly difficult to pattern match. The gray sleeves and collar are just some Kona cotton.

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The Pattern: Simplicity 1755. It’s the first and only Leanne Marshall design I’ve tried. I made version B with the sleeves in a size 12 which fit perfect (big 4 sizing is all over the place some times. my last simplicity dress I cut in a 10, which had I cut this one in a 10 it would have been too tight).

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I had barely enough bow fabric to work with and not enough to accommodate such large stripes. The skirt is in 5 pieces and I tried the best I could to get the stripes lined up but they’re a little off. The bodice side seams are off slightly, too. Luckily even I can barely tell because the pleated skirt is so full, and if I can hardly tell ain’t nobody else gonna notice it either.

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The Changes: Very little. I didn’t add the buttons on the cuffs, didn’t need ’em for the cuffs to stay in place. I cut the front piece on the fold because I didn’t want to have a visible seam in the stripes. Then I made my own facing out of some extra fabric (and interfaced it) for the front slit.

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I didn’t make the tie belt because really, this dress already had enough bows. Regular belt instead.

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The Result: This is a pretty cute dress and BOWS! Love me some bows.

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I liked some of the instructions, too, which added tips like reinforcing the split in the sleeve cuff or a new way that I hadn’t tried before to sew that cuff split/neck slit. Pro details there.

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Also, raglan sleeves are the best! No setting in regular sleeves? Yes please! And I’m totally over kimono sleeves. Raglan sleeves are the new kimono sleeves.

Comments (46) for post “Simplicity 1755 – Leanne Marshall Dress”

  • I absolutely love this dress! It’s just too rad! I love raglan sleeves, and the collar adds a nice pop. 🙂

  • That’s such a cool pattern, I hadn’t seen it before. Love a raglan sleeve and the two-tone effect, and the little split neckline. Great fabric choices, too.

  • Ooh, I’ve been wanting to try this pattern. It looks really great on you and I especially love your fabric choice!

  • great dress! i love the more interesting dress design too. raglan sleeves rock! seriously my favorite kind of sleeve. i’m pretty meh on the kimono sleeve as well, though i still use them from time to time.

  • So cute. Like a little wrapped up present. Love that there’s a bow placed right at the bottom of the front neck slit. I haven’t seen this pattern made up so I was unsure how it’d look. You pull it off so nicely!

  • It is the most adorable dress I’ve seen in the longest time. And perfectly sewn! Brava!

  • I like both kinds of sleeves, but the raglan sleeves in a contrast fabric is fabulous. I’m so glad to see this design made up! This pattern’s already in my sizeable stash, in the “for my daughter” box. Wondering if I should move it to the “me” pile. I agree with you about forgoing the sash — plenty of bows already. I am looking forward to seeing this in person!

  • Soo adorable! That print is just so sweet, you did an awesome job of stripe matching those wavy guys. I’ve had this pattern for a while now, good to know it’s well-written and can turn out this well!

  • This is such a cool dress! (Is this the one you were cutting at the meetup?) I love all the unusual design details. It’s so rare to see raglan sleeves with a collar and I really, really dig it. Raglan sleeves *are* the best.

  • this is such an awesomely fun dress!! i love the contrast fabric for the collar and raglan sleeves – it makes for a very flattering style line. And I think one of my favorite things about sewing with patterns is when they hit me with some tips and how-to’s that I’ve never come across before and they totally rock my sewing world – sometimes subtlely and sometimes not so subtlely!

  • I LOVE this! You’ve made me want to go out and buy the pattern. A perfect mix of vintage and modern and your fabric choice is so perfect. Well done!

  • Very fun! You did a great job placing the fabric, especially since there was too little. I have this pattern, and am planning on making it up, someday…

  • thanks sallie! tips like that make me wonder how much creative control designers really do get when they partner with big 4 pattern co’s.

  • this wasn’t actually. but now i don’t remember which one it was that I was cutting out…? hmm. thanks tho! and come back to the next one! we all had such a good time at the party!

  • thanks! i could totally imagine you rocking this pattern, roseanna! cute collars and a pleated skirt? that’s so you!

  • thanks lisa! I think i’ve just sewing so many things with kimono sleeves that i’m burned out. go sleeve variations!

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  • Wow what a gorgeous dress!! The fabric is totally cute I love it. The patterns looks so pretty on you. Best versions I have seen. You’re so clever!!

  • Oh this looks so great on you! I love the way the light colors of the fabric let your brown hair come out so beautifully.

  • I’ve got my fabric cut and ready to sew for this dress pattern. Love the way it fits you! I’m always wary of big four sizing but fingers crossed this dress works out. I’m making the sleeveless version in a gray/blue chambray and I think it’s going to be perfect for the summer heat.

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