Simplicity 1755

Simplicity 1755

This is Simplicity 1755, my new favourite dress. Fifties-inspired style? Check. Pockets? Check. Raglan sleeves? Check. Pretty collar? Check. Perfect!

Well, sort of.

Although the dress itself has come out lovely, the pattern leaves a fair bit to be desired. To begin with, the instructions for the button loops and sleeves are wrong. Somebody’s had a little centimetres versus inches confusion, because the instructions say to cut the button loops 2cm long, when they actually need to measure 5cm – about 2 inches. And the instructions for the placement of the button loop are wrong as well. In the end I decided to abandon the loops completely, and used a couple of sparkly buttons on each sleeve to hold the cuffs in place.

Simplicity 1755

I also added a couple of sparkly buttons on the back of the collar, because the pattern didn’t seem quite right there either. The instructions call for hooks and eyes to close the two halves of the collar together at the back, but the pattern pieces simply aren’t the right shape for that to happen. So, the sparkly buttons are holding the back of the collar down to the dress, to stop the corners from flying away.

Simplicity 1755

I’m pretty pleased with the invisible zip, considering it’s only the second one I’ve ever put in. It gaps a little bit at the waist, but the belt covers it, and all the seams match which is good. The waist isn’t terribly defined for a 1950s-inspired dress, but that’s because I had to grade it from a size 16 at the top to a size 20 at the waist to make it fit. I only hope that doesn’t make it look too frumpy, but the most important thing for me is that it’s comfortable.

The fabric is an organic cotton and bamboo mix, in heather and heather splash spot. I’ve used this bamboo fabric before, and it’s fantastically soft and luxurious. Bit crinkly though, so I foresee a fair bit of ironing in my future.

I’ll definitely be making this dress again, probably with a couple of modifications. The pockets are a little on the small side, so I’ll replace those with my own pocket pattern. I also have a shirt pattern with the most fantastically enormous raglan sleeves, and I can definitely imagine a long sleeved version of this dress. In fact, I may have just ordered three metres of this lovely stripy bamboo/cotton, to go with the leftover plain purple… perfect!

12 thoughts on “Simplicity 1755”

  1. Super cute! I totally passed over that pattern, but I love your version. It looks very RTW with the two fabrics. Thanks for the tips on the pattern issues – I have encountered that sort of issue before.

    1. Thank you! This was one of those patterns that I fell in love with the moment I saw it – although not so much with the fabrics on the pattern envelope! 😉 I do wish the instructions had been checked a little more carefully though.

    1. Thank you! I was going to make matching covered buttons, but I thought they might disappear. I’m really glad I managed to find some sparkly ones instead. 🙂

    1. Thank you! I’m sure your 12 will be fine. I have a disproportionately large waist (the things you find out about yourself when you learn to sew!!), so I always have to go bigger than I think. I can’t believe I’ve spent all these years avoiding invisible zips. They’re fiddly, but much easier than I thought!

  2. Half way through and the 12 fits on top but was waaaay to narrow at the waist. I removed the back darts and hope this will solve the problem without making it shapeless. I hear you on the zips – I tried so many different methods and none of them looked great but then found the one for me and feel fine about them now! I’m totally going to steal your idea of the buttons on the cuffs, too, very cute!

  3. Me again! I wondered if you’ve ever tried to wear your dress with a cardigan?! I can’t find anything that goes with those sleeves so keep not wearing it! Maybe I should put it away until the warmer weather…

    1. The only cardigan type thing I’ve managed to wear with is is this one, which has MASSIVE sleeves. I’ve worn it with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath though, and I quite like that look. But I think it perhaps is a summer dress, really. I quite fancy trying to make a long sleeved version though!

  4. Hi. Yours turned out great. I’m struggling with the collar instructions. At point 31 when they say facing do they mean the under collar?

  5. Hi Amy, yes, I think they do mean the under collar at that point. Collars are always fiddly, I’m sure yours will work out lovely!

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