Review: Simplicity 8051, View A – Sweet Watermelon Rockibility Dress

This is an easy pattern perfect for amateur dressmakers. If you love backless dresses that you can sneak into the office, or just want a break from foundation garments, you'll adore this dress.

Pattern: Simplicity 8051, Fabric: Poplin watermelon print (Spotlight); Lining: pink pongee; Necklace: Swarovski Stardust; Shoes: Cherry, Miz Mooz.

What to love about this pattern

This pattern has many wonderful features. The fitting is better than a glove, and the shape is classic and sexy. The neckline of my dress turned out to be boat shaped, but I love the look. 

By far the best feature of this dress is the lovely open back with button closure. I really liked how the peephole was held together by the yoke and had facing on both sides of the triangle. It's really elegantly designed, and not another "slash here and try and sew in facing".

What I don't like about this pattern 

Be warned, the buttons on this dress seem to be perfectly placed so that I can't reach them. But that's not a problem if you have someone to help you. 😉

Obviously this dress isn't bra friendly (best feature honestly). The bra are isn't lined, which may be a problem for bustier girls or if you use a light fabric - luckily I have a solution! 

Adding Padding an Inbuilt Bra:

1. Cut out the bra lining piece from Dress B in the fabric and lining (2 copies of each).
2. Sew the two pieces right sides together along the curved edge to make a smooth bra shape. Leave the bottom edge open and pull inside out.
3. Insert some smooth and not too thick bra cups. I just used some light padding from a nightie. Hand sew the padding against one side of the bra fabric. 
4. You'll need to put the bra into the dress after step 17 (before you sew the midriff lining in). Try the bodice and arrange the bra cups as best you can. Sew them into the dress so that they are facing the wrong side of the fabric (the side of the bra with the hand stitching should be facing the wrong side the of bodice). Then sew the midriff lining on top as per the instructions.  
5. Hand sew the sides of the bra to the seam allowance of the bodice.
6. Sew a ribbon between the yoke and the top of the bra to prevent it flopping around.

What I could have done better 

Nothing really! I'm happy with my work.

Difficulty 

This is definitely not a dress I would suggest for true beginners. There's a fair amount of hand sewing around the yoke and you need to insert an invisible zipper. However, the instructions are very clear. Amateur sewers who have made a few dresses should have no trouble making this dress.

The Verdict 

I consider the lack of lining in the bust a flaw that can be fixed with a little ingenuity; otherwise you could wear a stick-on-bra. The amazing fitting and flattering shape of this dress make this pattern well worth the extra effort.

• Instruction Clarity: 5/5. Very easy for an experienced dressmaker to follow. 

• Fit: 5/5. No tailoring required! 

• Design Elegance: 4/5. The peephole is very well designed, but the lack of lining in the bust is a flaw. 

• Final Product: 5/5. I'm very happy with the final product 

• Overall: 4.7/5.