We have a car again, so I can finally get out to Joann’s again.  While I was there, I saw that they had the new (autumn) Simplicity patterns for $1.99.  They aren’t up on the website yet.  I only got one, the new Cynthia Rowley pattern:

It’s for stretch knits only.  View A (blurry in the upper left corner) has a cowl neck, and I think that’s the version I want to try.  I love Cynthia Rowley’s patterns – the dresses I’ve made  from them are among my favorites!  Speaking of that, I also went to TJ Maxx tonight, following a tip I got on the blog to look for workout clothes there.  I had success – a sports bra and two pair of yoga capris.  But what else did I spy?

This is the original Cynthia Rowley dress that Simplicity 2443 is based on!  I’ve made this dress from doubleknit twice: here and here.  It may be my favorite dress.  So naturally I had to try on the original to see how it stacked up!

The short answer is that I prefer mine.  The dress is made of an odd knit – it’s thick but very rubbery, reminds me of thin scuba fabric.  The exposed zip is cute, but I don’t like zippers in knits because they bubble – as this one does when I’m not contorting for a photo.  It wasn’t very well finished on the inside either – the straps aren’t as nice (and I believe they are a bit thinner than the pattern straps.)  I was so excited to find an inspiration garment at a place I could try it on!  I didn’t buy it, but it was only $30… perhaps  your TJ Maxx has it also?

Finally, I’ve finished a dress!  No full body photos yet (tomorrow!) but here is a preview of McCall’s 6277, made in a silky knit fabric (the actual color is brighter… this photo went through a filter.)