Strawberry Summer

I decided to mix things up and try out a new pattern for my dress making.  I chose this Butterick B5708 because I adore 1950s style fashion and this pattern claimed to be "easy."  Turns out, they were right!  It's pretty easy and even though it was my first time sewing this pattern, I still managed to start and finish the dress in about 7 hours.  I'm not crazy about this style though.  I saw the little tied straps and thought of a summery dress, and I had the perfect fabric for it.  Earlier this year a great aunt of mine passed away and she was an avid quilter and seamstress.  Since none of her sisters sew much these days, they gave the fabric to me and I instantly knew I'd use this navy strawberry calico with red poplin for this pattern.  But, I had some difficulty on the bodice and it turned out a little bunched around the center.  Also, the straps are very awkward and the neckline seems uneven.  No matter how I tie these things one side or the other is always droopy. It's really not bad for a first try at this style and maybe it's not the pattern, maybe it's just not right for my shape.   Or maybe the illustration is to blame for misrepresenting the final product.  No matter, it's still a cute dress, it was really easy to make and I'm glad I tried it.