Pages

Thursday 11 May 2017

McCall's 6744 Dress (out of print)

Knit dresses really are my everyday go to in our hot humid Hong Kong summers so I'm always happy to try a new variation.  I realise that goes against conventional wisdom to only wear natural fibres, but I've found that this is what works for me.   They are also fantastic for travel because they pack up pretty small and don't crease.

I picked up this pattern in a recent clearance sale and it is now out of print.  It seems to have been a popular pattern based on reviews I read, but I guess they've got to make room for the new stuff that is always coming out.

McCall's 6744



I wanted to make view C, another wrap dress, but I swapped out the wrap skirt for the plain one.  I made it twice actually, one knee length and one maxi, both ITY jersey fabrics.  It is basically a knit version of the dress in my previous post so I suppose this is the shape I am going to be wearing all summer!



When I took out the pattern pieces they looked huge so for once I checked reviews before cutting anything and most said that this pattern had a lot of ease and recommended going down one or two sizes.  I checked the actual measurements on the pattern pieces and decided to make the XS which is ridiculous as I am nowhere near that size (I'd usually start with a 12).  I know the big 4 used to get a lot of flack for having too much ease in their patterns, but I haven't found that to be the case in their newer releases (interestingly Beth said the same thing in the comments on my last post).






Once the sizing is sorted out this is a very quick and easy make - there's not a lot to say about it really.  I made the shorter black and white dress first and it feels a tiny bit high waisted for me.  On the second maxi version I ended up pressing and sewing the elastic casing down into the skirt rather than up as per the pattern instructions and that seems to be enough to sort out where the waist sits so I will make the same change in the future.

I need to remember to stitch down my seam allowances in the casing area before forming the casing as it was extremely frustrating when my elastic attached to a safety pin kept getting stuck underneath seam allowances!  I also stitched the bodice closed at the overlap by sewing on top of the existing line of stitching.

I can definitely see this being a staple in my wardrobe - long, short and with all the different neckline variations, both for the approaching hot summer days and with a light jacket over for in-between seasons and fierce air conditioning.











12 comments:

  1. Both dresses look good on you and like that you used two different lengths. The maxi is my favorite; it is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. they both look great. and I love love love that fabric in the maxi dress. what a great use of that very specific print. Also - I think we are sewing sisters separated by an ocean - we choose so many of the same patterns, I have this one and it is in my "to do" list for summer. Although I was planning the sleeveless version but now that I see yours I might try this version.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this dress on you. Both versions, though the black and white speaks to my own color choices.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This dresses looks very good at you.

    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful! I also love the fabric choice and use in the maxi version, and always like black and white

    ReplyDelete
  6. What beautiful fabric; a great match for the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love these! The fabric choices are perfect and they style looks great on you. These will be awesome for summer!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Both dresses are gorgeous! You have an eye for exquisite fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful dresses and also love wearing knit dresses in the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are great. Love the fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both are pretty, but that maxi dress is stunning! Love love love the way you set off the print!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Two great dresses and fabrics are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete