I took a break from painting Lily’s room today to make my Dottie Angel Smock. I’ve been a big fan of Tif and her Dottie Angel blog for years. I was sad to see her stop blogging this year. I used to love reading her blog posts. I found her style and manner of writing to be quite inspiring and cheery. I even bought a pair of colorful clogs after reading her blog! We are about the same age too, and I knew she was someone I would love to be friends with if we happened to be neighbors, or if our paths ever crossed. 
These photos are inspired by her style….. The frock isn’t my normal more body conscious style, my daughter thinks it looks like a two year old would wear it, but she’s my toughest critic. But it does make me feel happy! I opted to make a shorter version, since I doubted I would ever wear it at as a dress, as it feels very much like a vintage housedress. Not that I have anything against vintage housedresses, I find them charming. But I know I would never run around in town in one. They do look perfect on the slim and tall Tif.
This was the perfect outfit for my high heeled Hasbeen clogs. Now these are some Clogs with a little sizzle! The bag I made years ago from an Amy Butler pattern. All the fabrics are from my stash. The floral voile was found at an estate sale and reminds me very much of Liberty of London in print and woven quality. Perhaps it is? The chambray was bought in downtown LA, as well as the crochet trim … A huge cone of it for six dollars. At least a hundred yards worth!
I was at Joann looking through the patterns last month when I saw the pattern. “Hey, that reminds me of Dottie Angel’s style!, I thought to myself. Well, turns out it was a pattern from Dottie Angel! Simplicity 1080. But it was sold out. So of course I found it at my local Wal- Mart!
I’m happy with my end result, but what should have been an extremely simple tunic to make, was made unnecessarily complicated in the construction directions. I feel the directions for putting it together would totally confuse a beginner seamstress. There were many issues I’ll go over below. What was supposed to be a simple “palate cleansing” sewing project, turned into a day filled with sewing annoyances for me. You should know that I didn’t follow any of the sewing directions because I found quite a few head scratching moments as I read through them. I always read through the directions, then decide what changes I’ll make. And then to make matters worse, I lost page two of them before I even started sewing, so I had to do it my own way whether I wanted to or not! 
I knew something was off about the pattern when I saw the hem on view B. It went straight across instead of gently curving upwards as an A line skirt should. Although there is a bottom piece, the curve should mirror the hem which will naturally become curved when the original shirt block pattern is slashed and spread to create a flare. If I added the skirt to this piece that was cute straight across, it would be more narrow at the sides than at the center. This throws your eye off. I drafted a new skirt piece after I fixed the hem on view C. ….
After examining the front and back pieces, I realized they they are identical. Even the neckline. Which is not usually done. And which leads me to believe the pattern wasn’t drafted from a design block at all . The back neck should be higher and the back width a little wider. Since both front and back neckline are scooped out, the dress will slip towards the back or front when I wear it. There’s no support there. All the patterns are separately printed, yet when I layed them on top of one another, I could see there was an even grade, so printing all those pieces separately makes no sense. They should just be nested like most of Simplicity’s other patterns. You would think Simplicity would know better. Don’t they have a professional pattern maker go through all the celebrity blogger patterns to make sure they are well drafted? I love Dottie Angel and her aesthetic, and I assumed that since her pattern was coming out under the Simplicity label, it would be more professionally made. She doesn’t claim to be a professional pattern maker, after all. It should be up to Simplicity to make sure the pattern is well designed and the instructions make sense. The pocket construction didn’t make any sense to me. Why would you face the top of the pocket and then still have raw edges on the top edge to deal with? Then a piece of bias binding is stuck onto the pocket and stitched down with the pocket. It’s recommend to first hand bast the binding in place, then stitch it down to the dress front. That’s a lot of unnecessary busy work there for a method that ends up looks home done. The excess bias strip is simple folded under the pocket. This is not the usual or recommended method of sewing on bias bindings. Right sides should be sewn together then it’s flipped over. I hate to be such a complainer , but come on people ! I paid eight bucks at Wal Mart for this pattern! The tie sewing method. What the? I prefer sewing my ties right sides together and using a pin to pull them right sides out, then pressing them, instead of folding them over twice as explained here and top-stitching. I like to hide my stitch-lines as much as I can. I went ahead and sewed them the way the pattern explains to but feel it could look better. The armhole openings on the dolman cap sleeves were too low. I had to raise them at least two inches or else risk having exposed side boobage. There is also something about French seams and finishing the insides with bias binding at the armholes which are folded under and then finishing the inside seam of the shoulder with bias seams. Huh? I stopped reading the instructions at around that point. It’s much easier to just sew the side seams up to the armhole notch, press the seams open, press the armhole seam allowance under, and stitch it down. That’s the usual method for a simple dolman sleeve. As much as I love French seams I don’t think they appropriate for this application. Yadda yadda yadda….. I still think this is fun design. But be prepared to sew it your own way if you make it!
Justine, so super cute.. Looks good on you, and those shoes were perfect with it.. Proud you took some time off from painting , to enjoy a cute make.. Judy
You are not the first to do some head- scratching. I really appreciate your feedback on the pattern as I am not a very experienced sewer and this pattern felt “off” but it’s also very cute.
Crossing my fingers!
I just recommended reading your pattern review to my FB sewing group. One of the ladies made it and commented that the armhole gapes if you are busty. I want to make a couple to wear around the house.
regards,
Theresa
I bought that pattern the other day! I didn’t know the designer, but just loved the style, and was looking forward to sewing the tunic version. I have not actually read the instruction yet, but now I wonder if I can ever sew this up if I do not understand the instruction… I will come back to this post for tips when I am ready to sew! I only paid $1 for the pattern , but hate to waste my time and fabric, so if I do not understand, I will not try.
Love how you accessorized the vintage style. I think it is hard to wear as a dress alone too!
I am back to say that boy are you right, I followed the pattern and it was so painful for a simple little piece. I am making adjustments on the next one but I wonder, what do you mean when you say you drafted a new skirt? Probably beyond my skills. Thanks so much for all the tips, they are fantastic and dead-on.
I noticed that the bottom of the skirt in the version with the contrasting piece was cut straight across instead of gently curving the what an A line should. that would make the dress droop a little from the sides. A flared skirt should never have a hem that goes straight across. Have you ever noticed how they curve? That’s because when you slash and open a straight skirt design block, it naturally rises at the sides.
Buying this pattern from my country, Germany, would cost me about $20 – so I was very pleased to find these comments about the styling of a dress/top which I really like. Seeing the problems you have described so clearly, I think I’ll use a shift-like pattern and alter it myself. Thank you.
I am a very experienced sewer (35 years) who has made a wide variety of things from patterns and my own designs. I am making this dress for the first time and wow! This is truly the worst pattern I have ever used! What should be very simple and neatly finished is complicated and sloppy. I do not like the use of bias tape! Bias tape should be reserved for doll clothes and costumes. I will not be making this pattern again!
Oh my gosh! Thank you for talking about this pattern. I had to cut reassemble a few times, and was so disappointed with the outcome. I am a long time beginning sewer, and did not find the pattern user friendly. I opted for a regular seam, not French, and cut the dress into a shorter length. I’m glad I didn’t use the more costly fabric for this project. I will try out the pattern again per your suggestions.
Oh goodness, I bought this pattern today but after readin this I am definitely taking it back!! I have no idea the half of what you said so there will be no fixing this pattern for me! Thanks for the heads up though; I am sure you saved me hours of frustration and tears!!
I just made this dress today. I used the bias tape but I wouldn’t use it again on the pockets or the contrasting bottom seams. On the pockets I would just cut pockets a little larger and turn under edges. Although I would still use the contrasting band on the pocket. The only bias tape would be on the neckline and armholes. I did cut my neckline up a little and then had to make a small dart in center of front neck because my bra straps showed, so this took up the slack in front neck. I think it will be a really cool dress for around the house on a hot day. Found pattern at Walmart also. Hancocks totally out. Plan on making another one tomorrow.
I just (kind of) successfully finished this dress over the week-end. It was my first sewn garment and I have to say that I found it very hard. I’m happy to read your thoughts on it: I was going to give up sewing, but I think that now that I know this pattern was confusing even to an experienced seamstress, I will try to sew another tunic soon 🙂
Don’t lose heart! Try one of the Learn to Sew patterns by McCall’s or Simplicity. Or some of the Indies which have great instructions.
Hi I’m so sad to hear the pattern sucks ! I just bought this and the kids version for $15 each cause I love the style so much ! I have sewn a lot of things but I hate complicated patterns ! I was wondering if you have come across similar style pattern thats easier ? I just want fast and simple for cute camping tops for me and my daughter …… thanks for the great post !
I bought this pattern months ago and have hesitated to start…way too many comments on how wonky the pattern is. It’s a little intimidating for an occasional sewer. I guess I’ll try using muslin or an old sheet before buying cute fabric. Thanks for your insight, I’ll be using it!
Thank you for your post. I lost my directions and reading this made me feel better… finished and it looks like a hospital gown. It made me feel better that it is not ME but a horrible pattern =)
I have just finished making this dress. I made it my way and did not follow the pattern instructions it was fine but next time I will adjust the neckline as I find it is too wide for me. I hate all the bias binding involved so did not use them, overlocked all the seams. I going to make another now so wish me luck.
Good luck!
Thanks for this article, after waiting well over a year I bought this pattern, and I’m so glad I’m not the only one with difficulties. As a secondary problem, do you know how to make a full bust adjustment to this dress? Or maybe you can point me towards someone who does. I think it a bit off that commercial patterns are made for B cups, when in the UK at least I believe the average is D!