Summer of Dresses - Simplicity 2444

I hope everyone is still enjoying themselves on the route for the "Summer Dress Parade". If you're running low on libations be sure to alert my Hugh Jackman robot and he will see that you get something refreshing. A bucket shower a la "Australia" perhaps.  (Honestly the only good thing about that movie and I watched the whole damn thing)
Today is a special theme day - Dresses with matching cakes.  I know it's gonna be one of your favorites.

The next dress in our parade is a lovey rose ensemble with matching pink rose cake.  (Tutorial for this icing technique here) You'll have to believe me that the cake is chocolate inside because our photographer had one too many drinks and missed getting that shot.  I'd fire her if she wasn't myself.  She/I did get a couple of full length shots so you can see my cute new and crazy uncomfortable shoes. I will sacrifice the balls of my feet for fashion

Pattern

Simplicity 2444 which seems to be popping up all over the internets now that I've noticed it.  Personally I feel like Simplicity did themselves no favors with their choice of sample garments for the envelope.  Both of these dresses make me throw up in my mouth a little.  Where as every version I've seen on blogs has been Amazing. Obviously Simplicity just needs to hire me to make up there sample garments because my fabric stash rocks.

Fabrics used
Stretch cotton sateen from Gertie's etsy shop.  It was a roll end that I greedily snatched up before she posted about the shop update.  Emmaonesock.com has honed my lurking skills well. I'm a sucker for bold flora prints and this one has roses as big as my head!  How could I say no?

Previous to this month I would have said that my stash busting was going well and not too many new items had been added to the stash.  Then Gertie decided to open a fabric store and I got a bad case of "All The Fabric," get into my card you giant rose prints! She's been stocking excellent stuff so you should check it out.  Just don't snap up the last of something I want cause then I might have to cut you a little.  *Swings icing covered cake knife menacingly*

Pattern changes/alterations 
This pattern only needed a little tinkering on the bodice and I was able to get away with only one muslin. Score.  I did find it odd that the shoulders were much wider on this dress than on any of the other Project Runway design I've made. You'd think they all come from the same block, maybe the pattern drafting fairies were a bit drunk that night. Anywho, here's a snappy list of the changes made.

1. Forward shoulder adjustment of a 1/2" on both the bodice and the sleeve.
2. Took in shoulder 1/2".
3. Reduced sleeve cap height 1/4".
4. Increased back dart intake by 1/4".
5. Shaved a 1/2" off the back skirt side seam due to the increased dart intake.

Confessions/Advice
1. I have some gaping at the neckline with was something that didn't seem to happen in the muslin.  It could be the fault of the stretch in the cotton or something that just wouldn't show up until you have a zipper in.   I'm debating about fiddling with the shoulder seams/armholes to reduce the problem.

2.  I always seem to have too much width in the back once putting in a zipper so the seam allowance in that around is 1".

3.  I found both the directions and the line drawings to be no help in figuring out how the center pleat is configured. They led me to believe that both pleats should be brought into the CF seam, but then the skirt was too big for the bodice.  The notches helped me puzzle out that the pleats criss-cross/stack over top the seam. That is what notches are supposed to do so they get their own piece of cake.

Husband Comment
"Did you make more cake? Awesome!  Oh that dress is nice too." I imagine his POV shot was something like this. Maybe the opening to "Living in Stereo" was playing in the background.

My Final Thoughts
A couple years ago I would have thought this dress/fabric was way too girlie for me.  Now I'm like, "Big fluffy dress weeeeeeee!!!! I wanna wear it every day!" And eat cake every day, but that's kind of a given.  "Oh cake, you are such a tease." Nom, Nom, Nom.