Pattern Description:
VERY loose-fitting, pullover dresses have collar, collar band, back pleat/self-lined yoke, and long, two-piece effect sleeves with pleats, button cuffs, seam opening. Narrow hem. I made view A, which has a wide self-made belt. View B calls for an outside casing with self drawstring, and button tab on rolled sleeves (wrong side shows).
Pattern Sizing:
Since this is described as very loose-fitting, I cut one size smaller than usual. McCall's website states that the amount of ease for "very loose-fitting" is 8 inches or more. That was too much for me--I wanted a blousy dress but not a Homer Simpson caftan.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, except I have yet to strike the pose of the model. Also, it appears the pattern sleeve was styled with some sort of rope belt instead of the pattern-made belt.
All joking aside, I believe it does look like the pattern picture!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, although I have made a shirt dress previously and several button-down shirts also so nothing was new.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
In style, quite flexible to change it up here or there if you like.
Fabric Used:
Liberty Tana Lawn. The reason I made this dress was because I saw the fabric and absolutely had to make it into a dress. This is the best sort of inspiration for my fashion sewing. Definitely recommend lightweight, blousy fabric to make this pattern.
To cut a size 16, I used 3.5 yards of the fabric (it has a 54-55" width). Even adding my 3" of length to the top and bottom it was the perfect amount.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added my usual 6" length: 3" on the top and 3" on the bottom.
I should have eliminated ease from the sleeve caps. Holy cow, there was a lot of extra fabric there. I ended up improvising and re-working the sleeve seams at the end, so that there is a single pleat at the bottom yoke seam on the sleeve cap. It was intentional in the end, but not planned in the beginning. "It shall never be noticed on a galloping horse." My husband thinks it looks nice, he is an architect so we'll take his opinion.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, and yes. I do recommend going down a size measurement-wise, and I should have eliminated the ease on the sleeve cap. I would recommend doing that for anyone making the dress, especially given how much ease there is in the overall garment.
Conclusion:
This is a nice pattern, blouson style dress. I find these style of dresses comfortable and professional at work, and every time I look at them in the store (there are many right now) I won't buy because they are usually too expensive or not the perfect fabric or fit. It took me a couple of days to sew--cut the pieces on a Thursday evening after work, sewed it on Saturday and Sunday morning. Voila!
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Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
I have this pattern so appreciate the information. Your fabric choice is a lovely subtle print.
10/22/12 8:10 AM
Thank you for sharing your insight. I have the pattern and am really looking forward to making it after reading your review.
1/1/13 7:59 PM