View two. More stuff's on my blog.
Pattern Description:
Potato sack with elasticized waist! Just kidding -- sort of. This out-of-print McCall's dress features three views: one sleeveless with a drapey scoop neck and two with short kimono-style sleeves. The sleeves have an option for peekaboo slits. All views have an elasticized waist and a straight skirt, which comes with pocket options and two choices of length. The pattern also comes with a camisole, presumably to wear under view A ... which makes sense. (That neckline looks a lil' wardrobe malfunction-prone, no?)
I made view C -- the kimono-sleeved, pocketed version without slits because slits are for hussies*.
* = Where "hussies" means "people who aren't too lazy to be bothered with slits."
Pattern Sizing:
I can't remember, but I think my pattern envelope offered sizes 4 through 12. I looked at the ease and could tell this thing was going to run huge, so I cut a 4 instead of my usual 8. I'm glad I did. I still could've made it a bit smaller with no problems, honestly.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
More or less, yeah, except for the whole my-dress-is-three-dimensional thing.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Super easy pattern with very straightforward instructions. If you can find it on sale during another one of the Butterick/McCall's/Vogue out-of-print clearances, its a solid choice for beginners and knitted fabric newbies.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This dress would make a good stand-by pattern for gifts. The style's super loose and forgiving without being totally shapeless, so it'd be pretty forgiving if you made it for someone else. Not having perfect measurements wouldn't render the thing impossible to wear.
My only complaint has more to do with my own poor judgment than anything else. I'm petite, and I really need to learn that these flowy, blousy things don't look great on me. Billowy dresses tend to swallow me and make me look like I'm being eaten by a FABRICMONSTER.
Fabric Used:
Silk jersey from PrintedSilkFabrics.com. I've worked with more silk jersey now, from several different sources, and I really like the stuff from this site. It's softer and more lustrous than anything else I've purchased -- all of which has been more expensive.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I lined the skirt with purple polyester tricot, as the silk jersey's just a little see-through. I also took the waist in about two inches total. Besides cutting this about two sizes smaller than usual, that's all I changed.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I might take a stab at a shortened rendition to wear as a tunic. I have so many patterns, though, that I think I'll wait for a while before reprising this one.
Conclusion:
Good pattern for beginners. Fast, straightforward. Make it a couple sizes smaller than your typical choice, unless you dig having a LOT of ease. |
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Your dress is very cute. And these flowy tops are in style, so it looks like it fits perfecdtly. THanks also for the new fabric site.
12/14/12 8:03 AM
How stylish! Your dress is so much prettier than the one pictured on the envelope.
12/14/12 1:51 PM
so lovely! gorgeous fabric & beautifully made.
12/14/12 9:09 PM
Such a stunning and stylish dress!
12/15/12 12:22 PM
Nice dress. Thanks also for the link to silk jersey fabrics.
12/15/12 5:11 PM
I love your dress! So very cute!!
12/16/12 9:27 PM
Cute dress, love the print.
12/29/12 6:57 AM