The Mimi Dress - SewSoDef

Thanks to @Spoonflower and @alexiasotelo I won a subscription to Sew Sew Def Magazine which was created by Mimi G and Norris Ford to highlight a multi-cultural sewing magazine that will feature sewing projects, articles, and inspiration for both women and men in the sewing community. I was featured in the July/August issue. As an added bonus each issue includes a his and her pdf pattern (you can always just purchase the patterns separately, but why not enjoy the magazine as well?).I loved The Mimi, from the September/October issue, as soon as I saw it. It’s a simple batwing dress designed for knits that can be both dressed up and down simply based on your fabric choice, accessories and shoes.You know I love a knit dress and a quick sew and the Mimi delivers both. There are just three pieces, the front, back and neckband. The back piece has the option to be cut on the fold which is one less seam to sew but results in a looser fit or cut in two pieces for a closer fit. I opted for the closer fit and cut two back pieces.I sewed a size medium based on the finished measurements and I feel it fits well I just don’t have much drape in the sleeve so it doesn’t quite look like a “batwing”. Next time I will grade from a large at the top to a medium in the waist and hips. I may even add more to the underarm curve to create more of a wing. This will also help on the sleeves that fit me little snug. I also think it would be a great idea to add cuffs to the arms.I appreciate that the pattern calls for snaps instead of buttons, though buttons can be used, as I hate sewing buttonholes. Snaps are a breeze to install. There is not snap guide, so you are on your own for placement. I used three snaps. To determine the placement I simply tried the dress on and pinned where I wanted to top snap to go and another about ½” from the bottom. Then measured the distance between those points and divided two and measured this distance from the bottom pin to place the middle snap (you could also eyeball it). I have no problem installing snaps, but I have almost ripped out several when wearing the garment. Any tips on how to prevent that? Interface the area? Anyway I will never need to unsnap these, as they are mostly decorative so it won’t be an issue for this pieces.I used a “mystery piece” of mid weight knit (think a lightweight soft ponte) that I’ve had in my stash for a while. The weight of my fabric may have contributed to the lack of drape for the wing, but otherwise it worked fine. Thankfully the dress used less that 2yds of fabric as that is all I had.I think there’s another Mimi dress in my future in either black or leopard with a twist.Pattern:  The Mimi from Sew Sew Def MagazinePattern Description: an easy to sew batwing sleeve dress with front band and snaps.Sizing: XXS-XXL I sewed a medimDifficulty: 2/easyFabric Used: Red "mystery knit" most likely ponte remnantDoes it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? YesWere the instructions easy to follow? VeryLikes:  Easy dress pattern, 3 pattern piece, batwing sleevesDislikes: None but next time I will grade from a large to a mediumPattern alterations or any design changes made: noneWould I sew it again? Yes, I think I need another one in blackWould I recommend it to others? Definitely!Conclusion: Great fall/winter dress that can be dressed up or down!