RUFFLY TANK DRESS / RÜSCHIGES T-SHIRT-KLEID

There's this dress version I like very much. You just slip it on - no zippers or buttons - and it's easy to wear, very comfortable and casual. Recently I've made one of the millions of possible dresses that fit this description.
No need to tell you I love wearing it and have already worn it several times :-)
Mine is made of a jersey in a light blue melange and has ruffles around the armskyes and neckline. Otherwise it is or rather should be a simple tube dress. If it weren't for those giant back darts I added.

When we went to Italy in June I bought a copy of "La mia Boutique" (7/2015) which is full of pretty and very wearable dresses and some nice men's wear - which is quite rare I believe. My ruffly tank dress is the first pattern I made up from it. Another is still in the making. ;-)
(Just so you know: I'm trying to outrun the end of summer by stocking up on summer dresses as fast as my machine can sew.)

I made a size 42 because I thought it would fit me best - not too baggy, not too snug. But I think a 40 would have been better, since I added pretty big darts in the back to achieve a better fit - and it's still not too snug. The darts folded nicely to the outside and were lying flat so I did't cut the dart fabric away. Also I was a bit worried I would create bulky seams which wouldn't lie flat on the back of my dress. Would have destroyed the slight clinging to the waist, no? So a little vainity was involved, too! ;-) Pleading guilty.

You can see that I left the inner edges of the jersey raw. I found the ruffles and jersey binding bulky enough without another added layer of jersey turned under.
The technical drawing shows that the hem should be bound by a broad band of jersey maybe even some elastic!? And it should be gathered. My Italian is nothing to speak of. So obviously I couldn't read the instructions. After some consideration I slightly held in the seam, serged on a folded jersey band and zigzagged over the serging seam from the outside. I think it's pretty, rather even and the seam doesn't turn up. I'll definitely do this finish again.

 

Thoughts on pattern and design:
Can't say anything about the instructions as I didn't understand them. :-( /Definitely need to learn some Italian!
The pattern is simple but very sweet, BUT could be worked out better. Darts or different spape of waist part would be nice.
The design is lovely. Though you should have a matching top to wear under the dress. I love wearing the dress and will do so until it goes to shreds ;-)
And because I love it so much a few more pictures I have to show.
 

Other details:
* long silver necklace with rock crystal pendant from local decorations and gifts shop (no brand)
* short silver necklace with smallheart shaped glass pendant and brown facetted crystal pendant from
   local jewellery shop (no brand)
* spaghetti strap top from Boden Clothing



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