Simplicity 1318 Kimono Jacket Review

I'm drawn to kimono styles.  There is something utterly elegant about them.

When this pattern, Simplicity 1318 (view C), first appeared, I spent most of my time trying to talk myself out of it (not the best shape for you, no pockets, etc. etc.).  Honestly, I have enough patterns to keep me busy for life.  But I still bought this.  And added pockets, of course.

What adjustments did you make?  And why?

The usual – sway back, so it would follow the contours of my backside.

 The unusual - Added pockets, curved pockets.

Pattern appreciation(s)?

It is a fun jacket for throw and go.

Pattern disgruntlement(s)?

I do not remember any, except the usual refusal to include pockets.

What body does this pattern fit (in your estimation)?

This is a multi-body pattern for an easy jacket top.  It will best flatter the rectangular figure, but pshaw, who cares?  The only thing rectangular on me is my face.

Would you buy this pattern again?

Maybe not.  I like the jacket, and have worn it a bunch this summer (great to pull on while suffering over A/Ced enviros).  But, admittedly, it is hard to drive in, because there is a lot of ease and the seatbelt can limit arm movement (may be best to NOT drive in this!  Ha, ha).  So maybe, but maybe not.

Another rare print that is me.  It feels very fungal/lichen-y.  This is a knit that may have come from fabric.com, but I do not remember exactly.  It has aged in the stash for a couple years, and my memory for fabric purchases finally crumbled under the staggering weight of excess yardage.

Simplicity 3775

Dresses are so easy to wear.  The throw and go cop out when you don't want to think about dressing.

Why do I not have more?

In between wanting to finish a Knip Mode top and start cutting out a quick quilt top, I want another dress.  I have chosen the ubiquitous Simplicity 3775.  The dress everyone and their canine have made.  It must be a good pattern if every sewer on the face of the earth has made this pattern.  I wonder how many of these have been sold compared to the average pattern sale?

Google reports 74,000 hits on a search for this pattern.  For Jalie 2682, a "fairly" common Jalie, there is less than 5k hits.  Hm.  Is everybody on to something?

I've got two thin rayon fabrics, a pattern and a solid.  I'm planning to use the patterned rayon for bodice front, sleeve lining, skirt hem, and belt piece.  I think the fabric is thin enough that I need to double the bodice and probably the skirt as well. 

I'll be using the wrap front, because the one piece front has way too high a neckline.  Being that I'm right between sizing, I'll be using a 12 for the bodice front and a 14 elsewhere.  This can get interesting at the sleeve seam, but with a knit, I don't worry about exact matching.


Results after finishing the dress: it is gappy at the neckline and threatens to show my assets to the world.

Needless to say, this has gone in the donate pile, unphotographed due to the sheer horror of the result.

Not everybody has my body, and what works for the majority obviously does not work for me.  One day, I'll work out my perfect wrap top pattern.  Simplicity 3775 is not it.