This review was originally featured in Threads #177 (February/March 2015).

Style Arc: Gillian Dress

This knee-length dress has a right front overlay, a partial neckband, and bust darts that emerge from each armscye. Make this dress sleeveless or with short sleeves. The front overlay attaches to the right side’s neckline, shoulder, armscye, and side seam, and is partially stitched to the left front along the hip-level seam. Style Arc is an Australian company, so some of the terminology was new to our tester, but she had no difficulty with the pattern. It is well-drafted and cleverly designed. The pattern includes helpful hints and illustrations, as well as a swatch of the recommended fabric, silk charmeuse. Crepe and rayon are also good options.

(Sized 4-30 for busts 30.3-58.25 in. and hips 32.6-61 in.)

Style Tip: Add a third color to this dress with a contrast fabric for the neckband and to line the overlay.

-Tested by Jenny Freedman, Soquel, California

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