Black and White Geometric Print Duster/Dress - NL6735

I follow Michael Levine's blog mainly because it features a monthly sew a-long with Mimi G. The January sew along was her take on New Look 6735 (here). I really enjoy her sew-alongs and I liked the look, so it went on my maybe list.  Well my husband follows Mimi too. Actually he likes to take credit for turning me on to her... until he looks at my fabric stash-then he probably regrets it. Anyway, a few hours later my hubby saw it and sent me the "I like Mimi's look today" text. That means "You should make it". LOL That's when it went from my maybe list to my 'To Make' list.Not too long after I grabbed the pattern I saw the Travel Wardrobe Contest on Pattern Review. I've wanted to participate in a Pattern Review Contest for a while but just never committed to it. The contest rules state that participants must sew four garments during the contest period (4 wks) to be worn on the trip. These 4 pieces can be paired with 2 additional pieces (sewn or purchased) to create at least 5 different looks that suit your travel destination.PLEASE VOTE FOR ME!!!! High off a win in a Facebook group sewing challenge I figured it was about time I enter one. Turns out I had a girls trip planned right after the completion of the contest. Plus I had already challenged myself to sew everything I planned to wear on the trip. So it was kismet! I had to do it this time.The first piece I just knew I had to make for the contest was NL6735. I would be traveling in March in the south (read: totally unpredictable weather) so a light weight duster would be great for layering or wearing alone. The only thing that concerned me about this pattern was the BUTTONS. Buttonholes were the last sewing fear that I held on to. I'd overcome my sewing fear of pleats, zippers and bias tape but not buttonholes. Facing this challenge was on my 2015 list of sewing goals so I knew it was time. My machine has an auto buttonhole maker so I'm not sure what I was so worried about. It worked fairly well. After about 4-5 tries on scrap fabric I moved on to the real thing (hey... I'm impatient). I wouldn't say any one them came out great but they are done, they are interfaced and they function. I'll take that.Pattern: New Look 6735Pattern Description: Misses Knit Cardigan, Tops, Pants and SkirtSizing: 10-22.Difficulty: 3 Fabric Used: Black and White Geometric Print ITYDoes it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Not exactly.Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. except I doesn't include a carrier (belt loop) pattern pieceLikes: Nice basic cardigan with coordinating separates.Dislikes: I wish the cardigan was more fitted at the waist.Pattern alterations or any design changes made: I followed Mimi G's sew along on the Michael Levine blog and extended the front, back and neck band pieces to the floor. I also added 4 buttons so that I could wear it as a dress (gotta cover the lady parts?). Also I ended up taking out quite a bit of ease (maybe 2 inches) in the waist area.Would I sew it again? Yes.  I will probably make a cardigan as designed.Would I recommend it to others? Yes I would. Aside from the buttonholes it was a simple project.Conclusion: A nice versatile piece with a little fitting.Total Cost: $21.951 New Look Pattern                                = $3.993 yds B&W Geometric ITY @ $3.99/yd = $11.972 sets  5ct black buttons 2 @ 1/each      = $2