this is simplicity 3673. normally, i’m not a big fan of simplicity patterns (their sizing is always a little off – more on that later), but i like this vintage reissue from the 50s. i also had this fabric:
that i bought at a yard sale for $1. paired up with a vintage zipper from my stash (i always buy them for pennies at the thrift store, and i actually had one on hand that was the correct length AND color… pretty convenient!), this dress was super cheap/easy to make.
like i said, the sizing was a little off… when i make my patterns, i size mine based on the measurements on the pattern tissue, not the pattern envelope. some patterns (like, ahem, this simplicity pattern) will not mention the included amount of ease – for this particular pattern, it was 4″! yikes! (non-sewers: ease is the amount of “space” in a garment beyond body measurements. for the record, for my fitted garments, i prefer about 0.5″ to 1″ of ease). the pattern tissue will generally provide the finished measurements – ease included – for the bust, hips, and waist. i find it much easier to sew that way than to cut something too big and spend hours trying to alter it down (or worse… cut something too small that doesn’t fit 😥 been there, done that, hate it). however, apart from the sizing – which was easily fixed by cutting down a couple sizes – this pattern was easy peasy! there are only 4 pattern pieces, not counting the attached belt. the waistline shaping comes from 8 darts around the middle. that’s it! had i not spent over an hour trying to figure out how to use the blind hem on my machine, this dress would have taken me less than 2 hours total.
i really did try to match the plaid up on this, but the plaid design is so large, i eventually gave up and figured it’s good enough for a $2 dress. i think the black bow/belt in the middle helps break up the plaidness.
the back is scruched up because of how i’m standing. can you see the little kick pleat the bottom?
a bit more of a close-up of the front.
vintage zipper and interior details – lining, serging.
the bow! 😀 😀
and check out these awesome shoes i bought for $7:
HECK YEAH SEQUINS.
LLADYBIRD 
Thanks for sharing the included swing ease. I purchased this pattern during Joanne’s $1 pattern sales and have yet to make it. I really like your pattern choice. The plaid and little bow are oh so cute!
I came here from your craftster profile and what a treat! Your designs are great. I loved the make your own shorts tutorial.
I’m new to apparel sewing and I wasn’t aware of ease in patterns, so this is a great tip. I’m thinking that vintage patterns may have included so much ease because of all the extra undergarments worn in that era? There would be underwear, a corset, garters and stockings, a bullet-proof bra, and a slip over all that. Can you imagine?
Love your dress!
Hi im having a headache with adjusting this pattern. When you say 4” ease does that mean i take an inch off the front and back pattern parts?
You would divide 4″ between all seamlines and darts, which would make each adjustment much smaller than 1″ (but it should add up to 4″ when you sew the thing together). If there’s a way to cut a smaller size rather than deal with the headache of doing flat pattern adjustments, I’d try that first!