Anda/Butterick Dress: complete!

It was several weeks ago that I mentioned working on a "one-hour pattern." for a dress. Don't worry, it's been done for at least half that time. I made this dress, which is a lot like Burda's Anda pattern, from Butterick B5211 (view B), which was on sale for $1 at Joann's a couple months ago.

The yellow gingham fabric was actually an inexpensive score from St. Vincent de Paul. There wasn't quite enough of it, though, so I had to improvise a bit, which meant leaving out the pockets, as well as the neckline facing. This was probably for the best, since the fabric is pretty thin. The original pattern also included a belt. I like a contrasting belt better, at least for this dress, so I opted not to make it.

The key to this dress is to use a lightweight fabric. It's pretty large and shapeless (and needs to be, since it doesn't have any closures). A fabric that's too stiff won't fall well and will make anybody look wider than they are.

Despite how long it took me to complete and post, this really is a one hour pattern, and extremely easy to make. This was my first project that I used both my serger and my dress form to make, and, although not necessary, those are definitely great tools to have!

If you're interested in making this dress, or Anda, I recommend checking out Grosgrain's "Frock by Friday," She makes Anda in a week and gives lots of helpful hints along the way. This link will show you the steps, but in backwards order.  

Have you made a similar dress? Let me know how it went!