After a tragic disappointment with another pattern, I needed something to pick me up. This asymmetrical pattern was exactly the thing. No two pieces are alike, and there are interesting curves and a forgiving silhouette. It's a 3D puzzle in fabric. An easy one, if you take it step-by-step.
Modifications

• ​Reviewers suggested making the collar a double layer, and I agree that it produces a more polished look. With no interfacing, if you pleat both pieces separately, you still get a nice scrunchy look, and comfortable feel.
• Another suggestion was using self-bias tape for the armholes, rather than the suggested facing.
• Road not taken: I did NOT lengthen this "dress". Doing so would be a Herculean task, given the irregular pattern pieces. It is definitely a well-above-knee garment, and I am very unlikely to wear it without leggings. Envelope says dress. I say tunic.  Caveat sewist.

Fabric
Studying the envelope and online reviews, I wasn't thrilled by this tunic made in stripes. Nor with the seams outlined in piping. Mixing colors didn't speak to me either, which surprised me a bit. What did appeal, was fabric that appeared to have texture - and you can see both examples on the envelope have this appearance. I did see some attractive plaid versions, and will keep that under consideration for future makes.
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For this initial effort, a beautiful piece of Ankara was chosen from my stash. Its pattern is vaguely tie-dye, with mock-croc elements, and even (if you look closely) some floral and geometric shapes. This fabric reminds me of exotic walls with numerous layers of paint washes. It's a fabric that makes me happy. It's also cotton, and I'm leaning towards natural fibers these days, and the purchase supports an African-American woman-owned small business. What is this amazing resource?  AnkaraMalkia.com

Assembly

• The directions specify using a tailors ham and steam-pressing to set the pleats in the tightest curves. I'm not sure I executed these perfectly, but the result looked good, so...
• Each time I completed a seam, I immediately finished and trimmed the edge. With all the unusual lines, this was much more efficient than leaving it all until the end. Before finishing the armholes, I tried the tunic on, and trimmed about 1/2" from the top of the armholes, which I think visually emphasizes the oversized (splendiferous!) collar. 
• For assessing the armholes, I put the inside-out tunic on my body double dress form. This let me also study the effect of taking in the back or side seams. I'd read some reviews where this had been done, and judicious fitting is often flattering. This time, I left the tunic as-is. 
• My neck is not as long as the models' on the envelope. I'm happy with the collar, but if you want it shorter, you could trim the pattern from the top. Or deepen the pleats. 

Awesome
This tunic in this fabric. Ankara is a substantial fabric, and I really like the short "tent dress" appearance. In fact, I might consider using the bust-up portion of this pattern for a tent maxi dress. It will definitely be made again. Possibly in other fabric weights as well as Ankara.

In the interest of total honesty, this is not a garment that makes me look smaller. It does however, fill me with joy and glee, and I like that.
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It might not hurt to add a small bust dart...and that's the one additional tweak I'd consider, looking at my photos. I adored this pattern, and was happy sewing the beautiful fabric, and the unusual pieces kept me feeling as if I was doing a puzzle. This tunic makes my "Me Uniform" list. A fun sew, with distinctive, excellent results...definitely recommend!

Modifications
This pattern overwhelmingly won a "do this next" survey, providing me the needed push to overcome my anxieties about its details. First modification was moving the zipper to the side, as my belly just does NOT need anything extra on the front of it. Belt carriers were left off, as these are to be pajamas. The final adjustment was grading from size 26 at the waist to 28 at the hip. My measurements supported this move, and I wanted all the help I could get in defining my waist! 

Prep Work
I watched Mimi G's tutorial beforehand. While I consider myself an intermediate sewer, I know there are gaps in my knowledge, and it's best to be humble when approaching fabric. She advised watching her "basics" video, so I did that, and improved my layout/cut technique: 

• Using hardware store washers for weights is much faster than pinning. While I didn't have washers to use this time, I did use a lot fewer pins!
• Keep the lower part of your scissors level and flat on the table. This made a big difference in keeping the pattern in place and cuts accurate. 
• A best practice I always follow is ironing the pattern pieces and fabric before doing layout.
• If you're feeling intimidated, get the right equipment. After many years of sewing, I finally bought a disappearing marker and an invisible zipper foot. Both speeded things up a LOT!

Watching the tutorial for the S8177 pants was also quite informative, and I felt it made the sewing assembly of the pants go more quickly. Fabric is clearanced quilting cotton w/ladybugs & clover: perfect for this test run, and pajamas.

I did the staystitching, darts and pleats as directed, and then assembled the main section of the pants (the legs), leaving the whole outer left leg seam open. Next I put together the yoke, again leaving the left side open. This made it easy to match up and sew the yoke to the legs. The invisible zipper came next, and it will get its very own post, as it was my first one ever! The result was good, and like Mimi G, I prefer the zipper goes all the way to the top of the garment, avoiding the need for a hook and eye. The video did not show seam finishing, and I happen to like French seams. Tidy and sturdy, so that is what I used on the long leg seams. A bit of hemming (I opted for a deep hem, rather than the cuff shown), and I was done. Perfect fit! 

Awesome and Not (Love is Complicated)
This pattern is love. It is everything I'd expected: fits my waist and rear end, and has lovely wide legs. That said, as you can see from the "side view" above, it is not particularly flattering to my belly - at least not from the side. What to do?

• Wear them anyway. They turned out so well that I threw on a belt and wore them to work.
• Try pairing with an on-trend puffy-sleeve shirt to add shoulder volume (this can help make waist appear indented).
• Widen legs a bit more. It's a proportions game, and making the bottom wider can help whittle the middle.
• Add pockets. Maybe. The lack of pockets is not a dealbreaker for me, and I like the sleeker look without them. On the other paw...POCKETS!

I will be making more of this pattern - in bold prints, too! The high waist feels good, and I've got Ankara fabric just waiting. That said, I would not call this the most Apple-friendly garment shape. It does really show the belly from the side. Make a conscious choice on this one.

Vogue 1297 is an excellent pattern for Apples. It looks fabulous in striped fabric, thanks to the giant pockets set at a slimming angle. It's also surprisingly easy to make, even when you're working with an older sewing machine like I do!

My first version of this dress was made with a substantial brick-red striped knit. It's not a scuba knit, but it is almost that substantial. I do think you could get away with a medium-weight knit. Anything too light might not skim over you as flatteringly (no surprise to most of us). The minor wubble in the front-facing pic is my not-very layerable shirt scrunching!

Awesome

• pockets
• flattering drape
• fast/easy/professional look

Did I mention it has pockets? The pockets and dress never fail to get compliments, from people wanting to know where I got it. No one has ever asked if I made it. That means a lot to me! There is no need to match the stripes, so this really does cut and sew quickly. The thin piece at the neck was the only piece I paid close attention to lining up.

Not As Awesome

• knits only (really)
• best for stripes/solids

The second version of this dress, I decided to use a woven fabric, and put an exposed zipper in the back. The print on the second fabric was not striped. It was a small, busy print, and it came from the quilting section, which isn't "bad", just lighter weight than my knit. Please note that at this point, I'm not using the pattern envelope's recommended fabric, and the fabric's print is not like either shown on the envelope. The result was not flattering. I will definitely be making this dress again, in stripes or solids!