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Tuesday 8 September 2009

McCall's 5752 Knit Dress - The Sequel

Thank you all for the tips and good wishes for my vacation. I had totally forgotten that there was a PR weekend to LA so lots of good info on there. Does anyone else like to make new things to take on holiday? I have been trying to knock out a couple of simple things and to make things easy on myself I have remade a couple of patterns, starting with this McCall's that I only posted about last time.

Dim your monitors and grab your sunglasses folks, this is a loud dress!

This is one of the fabrics I bought when I went fabric shopping with Trena when she visited Hong Kong. It's a very large print and at the time we thought it would be perfect for a maxi dress, but the reality is I will not have many occasions to wear one so instead it became a shorter knit dress.

Since some of you are thinking of making this pattern here is a little more information before I get around to doing a full review on PR (I am way behind!);

- Take note of the seam allowances, they are 2.5cm on the side seams, this is to allow you to fit as you go.

- I changed the order of construction so I sewed the side seams last. The instructions have you make the bodice and skirt and attach at the lower bodice seam. Either way works, I just prefer to fit my side seams in one go.

- I eliminated the midriff lining. The pattern for the midriff has the ruched outer part, a stay and a self lining piece (cut from the stay). I decided this was more layers than I needed so my stay also functions as lining.

- I fiddled about with the crossover and gathering on the front bodice to make sure there was no gaping, this is easy to do, just baste them to the front midriff section until you are happy with the positioning. Otherwise this was a straight size 12 from the envelope.

OK got your sunnies? Here goes....




28 comments:

  1. Very retro! Are the photos in your new "back yard"? Looking very stylish :)

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  2. Quite a statement dress. I love the mix of colours.

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  3. Oh I love your dress! It doesn't look loud to me. This is your entrance-making dress. Everyone should have one. I envision you wearing it quite profitably to the horse races (as long as you don't bet too much). Love the peeptoe shoes, they echo the retro oval design.

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  4. That's a retro beauty! I think the mix of colours prevents the dress from being loud.

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  5. Love the fabric. This pattern seems like a winner-- so flattering on everyone! And I love "sunnies!" never heard that one but will add to my vocab! It will drive my husband crazy--he never knows what I am referring to...

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  6. I like it! No sunnies needed here.

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  7. I love everything about that dress!!! The fabric and style are fantastic.

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  8. You look stunning. Thanks for sharing the construction tips.

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  9. It looks great! I was looking at a similar knit yesterday while fabric shopping and wondered what I could do with it. Needless to say, I walked away because I didn't have a clue. Thanks for the inspiration. I may have to go back and grab that one.

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  10. I love the large print! It looks very good and not loud at all!

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  11. Great fabric and you look fab in the dress!

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  12. You totally rock in this dress!

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  13. Wonderful dress! And wonderful fabric!

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  14. you know I am a print junkie, I love it, its not loud enough, lol, just playing
    beautiful back yard too

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  15. Nice dress and it looks good on you...

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  16. What a great dress! Love the fabric!

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  17. I love that dress! I love the bold pattern and the color combination. You wear it well.

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  18. I LOVE the colors. So perfect for fall.

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  19. That is an awesome dress - the print is perfect!

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  20. Fabulous! The print looks great in that dress and the dress is soooo flattering. I'm wearing mine today! I love that I've been to your photo set!!!

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  21. WOW! I love that. The print is fantastic.

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  22. Looks great! the print is fabulous --- you can definitely carry it off!

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  23. wonderfull fabric! love it!

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