Simplicity 8849: A Review with Bonus Tips
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Simplicity 8849 is a great pattern for spring and cooler fall/winter months. I’ve sewn the skirt (view C) for cool weather and also completed the sleeveless dress (view D) for the spring and summer months.
One of the best fabric choices for multi-season sewing is cotton…
For this make, I selected an African wax print because, as of 2019, fabric.com sells 6 yards of Supreme Africa wax print fabric for $18- $40. The Supreme Africa wax print provided enough fabric to make the skirt, dress, and shirt without breaking the bank. My fabric only costed $24.98!
As for the pattern Simplicity 8849…
Understitch first.
As with most commercial patterns, Simplicity 8849 asks you to trim the seam first. Then, it asks you to understitch to keep the fabric from rolling the the inside. I prefer to understitch first and trim off the access fabric last. This allows me to sew without having such a small stitch line to work with. But, what do I know!
Facing wraps all the way around the dress and is highlighted in yellow.
Expect to do a bunch of hand sewing!!!
The center front facing and back facing on views C and D require what the pattern labels as “basting.” You can use the sewing machine to attach the facing to your dress and/or skirt, but the stitch will show on the front of your garment. Since I wanted to replicate the invisible stitch from the pattern envelope, I slip stitched the front and back facing by hand. It took 2 hours to do hand stitching for the dress and about 1 hour for the skirt.
Got hips and assets?
Go up a size on the bottom, especially if you plan on using 100% cotton. Simplicity 8849 reads standard measurements. However, the bottom of the outfit is designed to fit like a tight pencil skirt. I went up a size to make room for lunch. You will be just fine leaving the pattern as is, but only if you like to wear tight fitting clothing.
Button holes for women…
… always sit on the right. Don’t forget this when working to lay the button holes on this garment.
Lets talk buttons
I never realized how hard it is to find 3/4 size (19mm) buttons in store. I went to Joann, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart. There were only a few 3/4 buttons. You might have better luck than I did. I found some wonderful mother of pearl buttons. I think they would look beautiful on a light colored African print or a floral.
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