McCall's: 5061 - Type:Dresses  | | Viewed 204 times
| 1 more reviews | | Reviewed by: | sewinfrance | 
 | About sewinfrance | | NA FRANCE, METROPOLITAN | | Member since: 4/5/08 | | Reviews written: 43 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 3 people | | patterns reviewed: 33 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/5/13 4:09 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | More Info provided by sewinfrance | | Pattern Rating: | Highly Recommend | | | | Fabric: | Cotton [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| This was intended to be my entry for the OPML 2012 contest last June. I had a third dress planned but it didn't happen due to lack of time. I didn't post this review for the contest because I couldn't figure out how these web albums work. I have now figured out Picasa somewhat, so I'm doing all my reviews from last year....)
OPML 2012 - the pattern is intended for a woven fabric. My idea for the contest was to try using the pattern also for a knit jersey.
Pattern Description: This is an OOP pattern (1976) which belonged to my Mom. She made a dress with it. I "borrowed" the pattern from her last summer.
The envelope description : High-waisted dress has back zipper. C or D with patch pockets and ruffling has buttoned shoulder straps. E or F ties at back of neck. Dress and sun visor F have braid trim. Lined panties have elastic in casings. I made the View A dress.
also on the envelope:
"Carefree Patterns...3 size pattern series. A new idea from The McCall Pattern Company to make perfect fit easier than ever. For the woman who is one perfect size or a perfect combination of two or three sizes."
HA! Well this imperfect pear was able to get this dress to fit! How marketing has changed ifrom the 70's!
Pattern Sizing: 12-14-16.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they were but I did my own thing. This is my first "vintage" pattern (it feels funny saying that for a pattern which was around when I was a child). There are drawings for almost every step, the right side of fabric is shown in blue. Also, the sew-in interfacing is always attached to the garment and not the facing like we tend to do now.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The empire line & A-line skirt is very flattering. It is a well-drafted pattern. I like the curve in the center back Bodice seam.
Dress #1
Back view
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes
Fabric Used:Cotton bought on sale at Fabricville in 2009. The biais bands are in leftovers of a rayon challis from an 80's UFO dress, the pink challis colour matches exactly the patterned fabric!
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I cut a size 16 at shoulders, a size 14 at bust, out to size 16 at waist & hips. I added in-seam pockets (borrowed from Vogue 8509). I eliminated the facings at armholes & neckline and used a biais bound finish with the pink challis, as I decided that the dress needed some colour at the edges. I also did the hem with a biais bound finish with the pink challis.
Detail bindings
Dress #2
Front view
Back view
Fabric Used:A browny-plum coloured rayon jersery which a friend had in her stash.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The same sizing modifications as for the 1st dress. I eliminated the center back seam on the Bodice and Skirt. I eliminated the front darts by folding out the width of the dart on the side seam (then checking that the width matched the skirt). I added in-seam pockets (borrowed from Vogue 8509). I eliminated the facings at armholes & neckline and used the twisty band details from the Marcy Tilton Vogue 8582. I sewed a narrow rolled hem with the serger at the bottom edge.
Detail twisted bands
Conclusion: This dress is very comfortable. Once I had made the design changes it was quick to sew. I kept the 15mm seam allowances, basted it all up with the sewing machine, made the small changes, then sewed it all with my serger. The extra stretchiness of the fabric means that the pockets hang a bit low, and the neckline and armholes were a bit low (which was why I did the twisty-bands). I wore this dress quite often, and the only change I would make would be to eliminate the pockets--they're handy, but this jersey is just a bit thin and seeing the thickness of the pockets bugs me now....
I would say that this pattern worked well in a knit fabric with the changes that I made.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes & yes. I wore these dresses alot last summer, they are very comfortable. For next summer I'll try and do the halter top version E with the fabric that I was going to do the third dress for this contest in!!! |
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2 Comments
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Nice!
2/5/13 10:55 PM
Love your dress. The pattern has great lines.
2/6/13 6:53 AM