Spring dress

I’ve finished tracing the pattern pieces for the MPB Men’s Shirt sew along and washed the fashion fabric. But before moving on to the next day, I still need to find some cheap fabric for the muslin.

Spring dress - Mc Call
Spring dress
McCall
McCall's 8746

In the meantime, I finished my dress! It’s the floral printed cotton that I bought in Nippori, made with this 1967 pattern, McCall’s 8746.

Inspired by the sew-along, I also did the pattern tracing so the original pattern stay intact.  I made no significant alteration other than shortening the bodice and the hem, rather aggressively for the latter. Apparently I’m that short (-_-)

I read the instructions carefully before I started and tried to follow all the steps. The instructions called for underlining the whole dress, so I use thin white lining fabric for it. Underlining is different with lining. In underlining a garment, we cut the lining fabric using the same pattern pieces as the fashion fabric. The underlining is then basted to the coordinating fashion fabric pieces and they will be treated as a single piece. This method is useful for sheer or flimsy fabric, also for adding weight and stabilize the fabric. It is nice that I learned some new things while making the dress.

Spring dress - Mc Call
Underlined dress
Spring dress - Mc Call
Overlapped yoke

The main focus of this dress is the  overlapped yoke, which unfortunately a bit hidden by the busy pattern. There is a slight gathers under the yoke. Buttons on yoke are for decorative purpose only, the dress opens and closes with zipper on the back. I use invisible zipper since installing it is far more easier than ordinary zipper. There are also a pair of neck darts at the back, which I really like since it makes the dress fits nicely on my back.

Spring dress - Mc Call
(^_^)

Although I didn’t rush making the dress, it came together quickly as the shape is pretty simple. Reading all the instructions beforehand really help the whole process, maybe that’s why they always say to read the manual before you start? Duh! Anyway, my seam ripper stayed almost neglected during the whole process. Yay!

I really really love the result! The shape is actually very straight and the details are rather hidden by the floral pattern, but it looks nice (I think) and very comfortable. I’m planning to use this pattern again and make the sleeved version. Too bad it is still too cold to wear this dress outside because I’m ready for Spring!

Dress pattern is 1967 McCall’s 8746 from this seller.

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29 Comments

  1. Great dress! Great fabric!
    if you love so much fabric like me, you want that people from around the world bring you fabric.
    If one day you want from Portugal you have already a contact :)
    Congrats

  2. oh my this is one of the cutest dresses i’ve seen in a while!! i love the shape of it, and it looks super nice on you!!! :)

  3. I love your spring dress and the way of underlining it – i have never used this method, but I will try next time I sew in a sheer fabric. And the size 12 was ok for your ?
    I am a new blogger from Denmark and love to visit your blog.

    1. Thank you! Underlining also makes the hemming stitches invisible from the outside because you stitch the hem to the underlining only. Yes, the size 12 fits me :)

    1. Don’t be scared! Just jump right ahead and make something. When I made my first clothes a long time, I just cut my old shirt and use it as a pattern for the new one. The result is disastrous of course, but I wore it with pride :)
      But there are now lots of tutorial and tips on the internet, so it will be easier. I’ve seen some inspirational people who didn’t know how to sew at all and is now making a coat in just one year of learning.
      You can visit http://burdastyle.com for lots of patterns and projects :)

    1. I know what you mean, I always look the same every day in winter, all covered up in the same coat! Can’t wait for the spring colours :)

  4. cute! the dress shape and pattern really suit you well. i’d love to see the dress made in solid color too so the overlapping neckline pops out!

    love your purple tights as well:)

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