This 1993 dress by DKNY (Donna Karan New York) is a mid-calf-length shirtwaist with a pieced bodice, long sleeves, a full skirt and a collar on a band. My fabric is a tissue faille rayon from Fashion Fabrics Club.
Making this pattern requires a lot of work because of its pieced bodice and shaped skirt, which is flared, pleated and gathered. It also features top-stitching and requires 17 buttons. Yet it is not difficult otherwise.
The sleeves are too long, which is not something that could have been predicted. Unpicking the cuffs and shortening the sleeves would have been difficult. Instead I unpicked the sleeve seam, trimmed the top of the seam and reattached the sleeves to the bodice. This has made a subtle difference. Next time I would shorten the sleeves before cutting out.
The skirt seemed too long in the first progress photo. I shortened the skirt by only a few centimetres because I did not want to unpick the lining (which was already in place). As with the sleeves, the difference is subtle but useful. Next time I would shorten the skirt by at least 5cm before cutting out.
I still like the general look. The next one will be even better.