Pattern Description:
Girl's dress, gathered short sleeves or sleeveless, square or V-neck, gathered skirt, back zip.
Pattern Sizing:
I have sizes 3-8. My DD currently needs a childs 14W or a misses 10 (with length reduction and an "N"BA - she's not quite 10 LOL). I used the child's 8 as a template but had to add significant width and length.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Well - no. It looks suspiciously like M6698. The pattern ripper-offer strikes again! (See below for mods I made.)
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I only used the bodice pieces for View D, a sleeveless V (ish) neck version. I did not use the instructions. The skirt was more or less drafted anew(see below).
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The original pattern is quite a sweet dress. I think I made 2-3 of these when DD was younger. They are easy to embellish with ribbon, embroidery, fabric roses, etc... and they were quite the favorite garments during the "princess" phase.
My DD needed a new dress for the Father-Daughter dance this Friday. She is growing quickly lately, and none of her old dresses fit. I'm so busy at work that I was just going to go to Macy's, but my DD begged me to sew her one. Her argument was that I had made her dress the past two years in a row, and that I can't stop the tradition! I thought, what is more important - that I sewed all of her Father-Daughter dance dresses, or that I spent the time at work and got some fleeting praise? So - we went and got fabric and I came home early on Tuesday and bit the bullet. Who needs to sleep, anyway?
Fabric Used:
Peacock colored polyester crepe from the local Joann's.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
My DD and I were browsing the pattern websites to get ideas, and she fell in love with M6698. It doesn't come in children's sizes, but I'm pretty good at making smaller versions of my patterns for her if she wants one. We went to Joann's with the full intention of buying the pattern and fabric. However, they hadn't received the new patterns yet, and since we were under time pressure I was once again forced to copy it, against my will this time.
The bodice is the referenced pattern, and I cut the same pieces out of some lining material in my stash. I also added some darts like the M6698 pattern.
The skirt is three graded circle skirts sewn to the bodice at the waist. I used the skirt back pieces from V1178 in my stash as a reference. I measured the desired length of the front skirt (24" in her case), and then repeated for the back skirt (36"). I divided both measurements by three, and this determined the visible length of each skirt tier. From there, I graded the quarter skirt pattern accordingly in the front and back, making sure that the lengths matched at the sides.
The crepe was very hard to press, and the narrow hems are not the greatest. The seam under the zipper in the back is also a little puckered. I was contemplating fixing them, but my DD won't let me have the dress back. She claims it is fine the way it is and I am not to touch it anymore!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
S5704 - no, my DD has outgrown this style. I do recommend it for a younger girl, though, because it is a very good pattern and I have gotten a lot of use out of it.
As for M6698 - it is a pretty style, no? I might pick up the real pattern when it goes on sale so that I can have it in my stash. I doubt I will have occasion to wear a dress like that, but you never know!
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Good girl for biting the bullet and keeping up the tradition! How sweet that is meaningful to her! I love it...the dress is adorable on her. And think of the memories you've made!
2/8/13 0:19 AM
Oh WOW! What a fantastic dress, and from a pattern that seems to have no resemblance to the finished garment! Your daughter is very lucky to have a Mom who sews and has the vision to achieve what she wanted in her dress, and with a challenging fabric. Lots of gold stars for this one!
2/8/13 0:34 AM
Oh how lovely! You did a great job and seems it is appreciated.
2/8/13 2:10 AM
It does look very like the inspiration pattern. It also doesn't look anything like the original pattern - well done for making it work!
2/8/13 6:55 AM
This is fabulous and how great for her! I bet she felt like a princess and bragged up Mom....bring on the fleeting praise! Great job on this. I love the McCalls pattern but my JoAnn's does not have it yet either. = (
2/8/13 1:03 PM
fantastic
2/8/13 4:36 PM
Wow! Such a gorgeous dress and very impressive work on this! Your daughter definitely knows what tradition to continue.
2/9/13 10:43 AM