Here’s another one that I made at Sewjourn!  It’s Butterick 5329, which is essentially a stretch fabric caftan, but one that narrows at the hemline and has interesting insets and side drapes.

I’m going to subject you to lots of photos of this one because I think that the shaping is interesting. From the front, with arms out:

and from the back, with arms out:

All of this gives the sides an interesting drape. I think that it works beautifully on my square/apple shaped figure, but I’m not so sure that I’d be recommending it for someone with larger hips/thighs.

I made this in size Medium, which the pattern said translated to a 12-14. In retrospect, the Small would have been fine. It comes in three lengths – top, tunic/dress and maxi dress. I made the tunic/dress, and still chopped another four inches or so from the length. The neckline is definitely plunging, although not quite to the bra band. It stays in place quite nicely though, and I haven’t found that I’ve exposed myself in it (unless Stella is tugging at my clothes, which does happen at times). I reinforced the back neckline with elastic, cut slightly shorter and stretched a little as I sewed it to the neckline. I then turned it to the inside and stitched down the back neckline hem. The elastic stops it from stretching out.

And the fabric? Just guess – mystery knit (slinky and probably very polyester) from the Darn Cheap Fabrics $2 per metre table. Speaking of which – I dropped into Darn Cheap yesterday and they have just restocked the $2 per metre table – dangerous! Apparently they will be on sale throughout December.  It was lots of fun working out how to best utilise the border print. The print runs down both edges, with the purple “clouds” in the centre. I’ll also style this with a tank and leggings, in black or brown to complement the print. I have noticed the glare of my moon tan in these photos!  I feel quite glamorous in this dress.

Pattern review over here.