Blue Aztec Print Dress - Vogue 8968

I received Vogue 8968 in a lot of patterns I was blessed with by a sewsista. She had purchased a lot of maybe 100+ pattern from a amazing craigslist listing and was giving away the extras to anyone who so desired them. How generous! Anyway this is one of the patterns that stood out to me and I had just the right fabric! I scored a 3yd remnant of this blue, white and black aztec rayon at my favorite local store for just $3.99. I purchased this fabric with the intent to make a pair of palazzo pants, but decided I would get more use out of a dress. If you couldn't tell my my blog posts I LOVE dresses. My first thought was to make M6954 as I had just made that pattern in denim and loved it, but when I received V8968 I was conflicted and ultimately went with it. I cut a small even though based on the finished measurements I should have cut an extra small. I was very unsure about the extra small because I usually wear a small to smedium (halfway between small and medium) in patterns. The finished bust measurement for a small is 40-1/2" and I am a 36" bust. . Sikce the pattern is supposed to be loose I choose a small.This dress is a quick sew, just 5 pattern pieces. The most time naming step is interfacing the neck facing. I read on Pattern Review that some had an issue with the hemming of the bottom bands. I didn't have that problem but I also didn't follow the pattern instructions. When it came to the band I initially thought about omitting the facing and just adding a single layer band but decided that the hem facing probably added the necessary weight to hold the dress down. So instead I sewed the side seams of both band set together then sewed the bottom of the bands together then serged the bands as one  piece to the bottom of the dress. Now this did mean I had an exposed seam inside the dress but it was serged and I don't mind especially since it saved me from slip stitching.I was sewing this dress for a particular event the following day (hey at least I didnt wait until the morning of) and when excitedly tried it on I was immediately let down. It just hung like a sack. I should've went with the extra small. So I just hung it in my closet with the intention to figure out how to take it in at a later date. Then a few days later I threw it on after my hubby made a late morning decision to run out to brunch. For some reason possibly because I overate and drank one too many mimosas, I didn't mind the looseness that day and found myself quite liking my little dress. I have since washed and dried it and I think it did shrink a tad and now I'm actually quite found of this dress. However if I make it again I will cut an extra small.Vogue 8968Pattern Description: Loose-fitting, pullover dress has hem band (cut on crosswise grain) and cap sleeves. A: narrow hem on sleeves. B: sleeve bands.Pattern Sizing:  XS-M, L- XXL. I cut a SDid it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, though a little looser.Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy to understand though I did change the hem band attachment. I attached each set of hem bands at the sides and then attached them to each other at the bottom edge then I serged the hem band as one piece to the dress bottom.What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the comfy casual yet stylish look of the illustration.Fabric Used: Blue, black and white aztec print rayon remnant.Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None.Would you sew it again? Yes.Would you recommend it to others? Yes, especially to those that like loose stylish dresses but I would suggest making a size smaller than your regular size.Conclusion: A comfy casual cute dress/tunic that has a ton of ease.Total Cost: $3.99Free pattern (gifted)3 yard rayon remnant         $3.99