32 Things: McCall's 6069, View A

32 Things

11 Items Made

180 Days To Go

I sewed this dress last Wednesday night because I just had to.  You know how that happens.  You have the pattern and the fabric, and the pattern envelope says "1 Hour!" and you think, "Hmmmmm, I've got the time to do that".  So you eat your dinner, cut the pattern (which itself takes about 40 minutes to do), run to the gym and work out, all the while dreaming of your sexeh new dress, run home and sew the sucker.  I didn't get it sewn in an hour.  It took me 1 hour, 41 minutes, and 22 seconds, and I didn't even hem it.  I guess I'm slower than I thought.  Oh well.

And yes, you know I timed myself.

I think I'm going through a major blue period.  Everything I'm making is blue!  Also, I would have taken a picture of myself in this dress, but I have felt like ass for the better part of a week and you never take good pictures when you feel like ass.  Words to live by.

EDIT:  Here is the dress on, along with my fab-o haircut!

The pattern itself was quite easy, and is really comfy and beautiful, though I must confess I'm not 100% sold on it.  The pros of this dress are that it's a great summer dress that's appropriate for work, the drape of the neckline for View A is really flattering and lovely (I am a huge fan of a cowl neck).  And it has POCKETS!  The cons are that the skirt is a little odd fitting (quite possibly this sewer's fault and not the pattern's) and this cannot be worn without a belt to break up the monotony of the dress.  Maybe a fabric with a print would not need a belt, but the solid color combined with the elastic waistband equalled a belt coverup.  Also, there's not really enough length to hem this and still have it be "office appropriate", unless you work in the same ad agency as Amanda Woodward, if you know what I'm sayin'.

I also ditched the strap on the back at the base of the neck (which is in the drawing with the model, but not on the line drawing, and that's just weird) and used lingerie guards instead.  I just like the way that looks without that strap interfering with the "lines" of the dress, you know? 

Oh, and speaking of lingerie guards, I highly suggest using the link above to learn how to make your own!  Lingerie guards are those little things on the shoulder seam of higher-end sleeveless dresses - they have the snap on one end so you can loop the string to your bra to keep it from showing.  If the tute is confusing to any of you, let me know and I'll make a tute with pictures, pictures, pictures.  I always prefer to see what instructions are saying.  :)

If you're looking for something easy to sew I do recommend this with the caveat that you should use the lightest weight knit you can find.  The thinner the fabric, the better -- as long as it's not see-through hahaha.  I'm even thinking about making this one, maybe two sizes bigger with a charmeuse or something equally slinky (maybe a chiffon with a slip underneath), and I bet it'll be quite lovely!

I promise I'll make something with a woven fabric soon!  I don't know what my obsession is with knits lately.  I went 15 years never sewing a knit and now I'm obsessed.

xoxo,