The dress came together really quickly. As I finished it, I was so pleased I was already planning other variations of it in my mind . . . until I tried it on . . . (I wish I had taken a picture before I altered but I was running out of time) . . . it looked like an old lady's house dress -- the neckline was really high and the sleeves were way too stiff. I didn't have time to rip out and redo the facings on the neck so I just turned them over 3/4 of an inch and topstiched in place. I gathered the sleeves with a row of elastic thread and was much happier with them. Because I was in such a hurry, I used the blind hem stitch on my machine and, although it's going to take some practice to get it perfect, I think I might be a convert!
I wore the dress on the cruise and was happy with it. Before wearing it again, though, I may rip it apart -- I'd like to change the waistband to a solid blue to break up the print and also take it in a bit. I like this pattern enough to try making it again -- after redrafting the bodice and sleeves.
