Monday, October 13, 2014

McCalls 6988 - Final

Let's start with a picture ~


This is another one of those closer fitting dresses that I'm trying to get used to although mine is not as fitted as some other versions I've seen. The pattern alterations are in this post and the inspiration for the dress in this one.

Here's the stats:

Fabric ~
The dress is made from ponte fabric all from Fabric Mart.  The print has been in the collection for at least two years possibly three.

Notions ~
beige rayon bemburg lining
22" beige invisible zipper
black piping

Construction Details ~
I used the D Cup pattern pieces for the dress front. However for my next version, I think I'm only going to remove 1/2" from the inch I added to the center front piece.  The front seams are just a smidge past my bust points...not something noticeable but something I notice when I'm wearing the dress.

Following the inspiration dress, I colorblocked the back of the dress and for the zipper insertion, I added fusible interfacing to the center back seam.


I added a lining to the body of the dress although the pattern doesn't suggest it. I would have only worn a slip with it so for convenience sake I lined it. I did use a rayon bemberg lining with the ponte. I've used this lining before and have never had an issue with it. So I went with what's worked for me before.


Black piping was also added to the neckline. I like how this adds a finishing touch to the dress front...however, I did stretch the neckline out on the dress front. I think it happened during the week I allowed the dress to hang. I needed to make some adjustments to the lining to make it work.

The sleeve hems were topstitched down while the hemline of the dress has stitch witchery in it to finish the hem. I went back and forth over whether to topstitch the hem or handstitch it. Finally I decided that the stitch witchery was a cleaner finish.

A few more pictures of the dress ~



I've included this one because my daughter
likes it ~ me I'm not so sure!

These were taken in the house in the evening.  I can definitely tell the difference between these and some outside shots we did earlier in the day. However, I'm trying to experiment with the lighting in the house because it's getting darker earlier & earlier and I only have the weekends to sew. It seems to limit the amount of sewing time I have...gawd I miss summer!

Anyway, I really love the dress and I'm glad that I made the ponte version first. It gave me some ideas on what I need to do for the pink wool & lace one which I've decided I want to wear to the company Holiday Party. So I've pushed it's construction back to November.

This wasn't the only sewing I did this weekend so stayed tuned for more.

...as always more later!  





51 comments:

  1. Oh Carolyn, I love it. I like the slimmer sleeves and the extra shaping. Peggy Sayers of Silhouette Patterns, which I love, says that a princess seam does not have to go across the bust point. As a pattern maker, she prefers that it doesn't, so no need to worry.

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  2. A beautiful dress! I love the combination of color-blocking together with the small print. And it's a very flattering silhouette.
    Katharina

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  3. You are gorgeous! I love the fabric combo and the piping detail at the neckline!

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  4. Oh, that does surpass the inspiration dress! Smart looking dress works in so many ways. I think you really have a keeper idea here!

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  5. You look gorgeous in another gorgeous dress. I really love the fabric combinations. It works so well together. xx

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  6. I love it too, Caroline - and I didn't like the fabrics when you showed them at the start, but they work brilliantly, and so does the pattern. Your pony tail looks really cute, and I can see why your daughter likes that photo. Very nice.

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  7. What a wonderful dress! Love the combination of fabrics.

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  8. Carolyn, what a beautiful dress! The fit is perfect, and the color combination is very classy. I like the piping at the neckline.

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  9. It looks great, Carolyn! A nice example of color blocking and a great use of that ponte print!

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  10. Great dress. Love seeing it turned inside out to show the lining.

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  11. Wow! A great first impression! The colors and the color-blocking are wonderful. You are such an inspiration! I was sitting in church yesterday and noticed a man's tie that had a pattern like the one you use in this dress, only in gray and pink. I started thinking,"that would look so good with solid gray and a pink insert." LOL

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  12. How lovely! Now you've even got me thinking more favorably about color blocking, something I have resisted!

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  13. Well done, Ms. Carolyn. You have the color blocking game down to a science.

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  14. It is really flattering on you, prettier on you than the photos of the dress itself.

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  15. Another nice dress! I like your necklace, too:)

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  16. Come teach me to colorblock!!! :-)

    I love this. That tan center panel is RIGHT.

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    Replies
    1. Nakisha - seriously?! You were one of the ones on Instagram, who pointed out out that the center panel should be changed! I think you can color block better than you realize!

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  17. Another winner! Beautiful dress!

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  18. Another great sew! This dress is great and looks fantastic on you.

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  19. Wow! Great dress! You always look like a million bucks.

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  20. Dear Carolyn

    This dress, especially as modelled by your dear self, is one amazing "WOW". The shaping in the centre panel adds so much to the dress's flattering shape and lines, made even better looking by you modelling it. A great start to your Fall Colection.

    Sending love and much admiration for your sewing and tailoring skills, Michelle downunder in Wellington, New Zealand - granddaughter of a bespoke tailoress

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  21. Beautiful. I really love the color blocking.

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  22. Carolyn, this dress is a winner!!! I love the fabric combination and how you used it. Very slenderizing. I am always inspired by your creations.

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  23. Lovely! I think once you wear it for a while, you'll acclimate to the silhouette. I actually think it would also look great even closer-cut (though it would be a different look).

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    Replies
    1. Kristin - thank you but the world isn't ready for the "rolls of plenty" yet! *LOL* But I am making closer fitting dresses - even my Mom noticed!

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  24. Lovely dress! I think that the fit looks perfect--I don't see it as being "close fitting".

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  25. You look amazing. A-Maz-Ing.

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  26. Carolyn, that dress is absolutely breath taking!!!! Beautiful! You nailed it!

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  27. I really like this, Carolyn.

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  28. I really like this. I have to say, that it's very flattering on you. You're a beautiful lady, and you can totally tell you're happy with this by that smile on your face - and you should be! I think the fabrics look great together. :)

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  29. Beautiful dress on a beautiful lady!

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  30. Ooooooo. I knew this dress would be beautiful on you. That piping at the neckline really set it off. Great job as usual!

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  31. Fantastic dress. You took it to another level when you added the print fabric. Great job.

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  32. this is a nice dress and the shoes awesome!!

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  33. A nice little curtsey at the end! What a stylish dress. I really like your colour combination. I was just looking at Cennetta's colour blocked dress, too. Hmm maybe I need to make one!

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  34. It looks really fantastic. The color blocking you chose was just perfect. I'm also digging the necklace with the dress. I'm a huge fan of long necklaces.

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  35. Wow! I Like it! Also, it gives me ideas about a similar geometric patterned fabric I have with purple.

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  36. Another dress that makes me want to say, 'Oh, that's my favorite that you've done!'

    I have lots of favorites. ;-)

    Great job and very inspirational!!!

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  37. You look wonderful - and I really like new silhouette you have been trying (super flattering!).

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  38. It looks great on you! BTW Kenneth King says that it's more flattering to have your princess seam run to the outside of your bust point by about a half inch I have to agree with him, since this looks very flattering.

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  39. I absolutely agree with your daughter and other commenters. This slimmer silhouette is very flattering on you. And I love the fabric combo. Another winner!

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  40. Your dress is lovely! That piping around the neckline looks great. I think your princess seam placement looks just fine!

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  41. I REALLY LOVE this dress!!! Great job!

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  42. Absolutely stunning on you! This might be my favorite dress ever of yours :)

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  43. I love this combination of fabrics and the colourblocking placement.

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  44. I think you have outdone yourself with this dress, so I had to write and say "Wow!"

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