does this look familiar?

I liked the black and purple graphic print tulip skirt I made a few weeks ago so much, that instead of putting the remaining fabric back into the stash to sit for a few more years, I decided to use it instead. One point to me for stash busting properly! I had thoughts of making this dress from Burda 3-2009 (dress 107):

but before I could muster the energy to trace it out, I remembered that I had Vogue 8319 which is very very similar (and predates the Burda, not that I'm making any accusations):

I've made the jacket from this pattern twice, one from a heavy linen (which is in the UFO box awaiting a refashion) and one from a soft wool (which I refashioned for maternity wear) and both weren't that great. But I'm glad to report the dress pattern is pretty good, so this pattern didn't turn out to be a complete waste:

This is a really simple dress, fully lined and with long princess seam style darts that resulted in a close fitting. The only thing I don't really like is the slit at the bottom of the back hem - it's just one of those done on the seam line so it spreads out, whereas I prefer the underlap style which I think looks neater (excuse the wrinkles, this photo was taken at the end of a long love in with office chair all day):

I did do a slight sway back alteration to get a close fit at the back, although I'll probably wear this with a belt for a more finished look, which cinches it in anyway:

So once again, this is another finished item that was not on the list of summer things to sew! But I really like it and will get a lot of wear out it. It's a great sheath style dress for work situations because with the wider shoulders there's less chance of visible bra strap, and according to fashion theory the wider shoulders should balance out wider hips too. I can see another version of this in a plain, subdued colour with piping at those shoulder seams with a matching self fabric/piped edge belt too. I was going to say that I'll put that on the list for next year's sewing, but if I do that I probably won't ever make it judging by my current form....