Olive Shirt Dress with Accordion Pleats

I finished this dress about five months ago and finally got around to posting about it now. I am mostly impressed with this pattern, mainly due to the awesome efforts of Ivy+Blue/Butterick for making the insides look so clean! I am not impressed with how I executed one thing, in turn making me loathe that one aspect of this dress--this is of no one's fault but my own! (This will remain a secret!)

The pattern is Butterick 6020, which came out as a Spring 2014 pattern a few months ago. The fabric is an olive drapey, silky polyester that I got on sale from Joann (Joann calls it Silkessence). I originally was going to use this fabric to make an Atonement-inspired full-length dress, but that idea got pushed aside since come on, I don't go to anything fancy enough that warrants a full-length gown. (When and why did fancy balls go out-of-date??)

Instead of a high-low hem, which I despise (DESPISE I TELL YA!), I altered the skirt to have a straight hem and ironed the pleats down the length of the skirt to get wide accordion pleats. With the way the pattern markings were set up, it seems ironing the entire length of the skirt was not intended as the pleat markings got narrower as it moved away the waist. (I will likely not iron the pleats down again if they come out after a wash.) I probably should have ironed the pleats closest to the zipper last as on the pleats got messed up in the zipper... I may eventually take it out and redo it so that the pleat is flat. (I say "may", but it's usually a likely "no".)

This pattern had me impressed as it actually has you finishing seams with bias tape or french seams in places that are not hidden within lining. Look at these finishes! Looks like it could be the right side! I feel like you could make this a reversible shirt dress and no one would be able to tell the wrong side from right (well, maybe).

One thing I wish I could change: I ended up using the same fabric as the lining, but probably should have used a thinner material since the dress now has some weight to it and seems a bit too heavy for hot summer days. I've worn it out a few times this past spring and it hasn't made me feel hot or stuffy, so at least that.

As for the pattern, it's not entirely perfect. I would get rid of the pleating at the front bodice (and therefore the extra fabric) since I'm not too fond of the billowiness. You could easily use the bodice lining pattern, which has darts, for the front! I would also put in more buttons in the front since I don't really like the way the collar is sitting... It looks weird and like wide lapels when flat (hellooo 1970's!). At least that's an easy add-on.

PS: I'm glad I finally get to post something with my purple hair! Da purps! It's pretty cloudy today, so the color doesn't seem to be looking too accurate in these photos, especially with the indoor lights on... Its peachy on top, but the rest is a nice purple!