McCalls 6696 Shirtdress

I finished my dress for the sew-along!  It was a big challenge for me. I wanted to use all my learning about fitting and pattern alterations to make sure it fit well.  I made a muslin of the bodice alone first, but it was much too small. I jumped up to a large size but it was much too large. After four muslins I found my sweet spot - the back yoke, back bodice and sleeves were a size 16. The front bodice (altered), the waistband, button band and skirt pieces were size 22. Strange combination.

The fabric was a $3 twin-size sheet from Deseret Industries, a local thrift store. Score!

I don't love the extra ease at the sleeve cap, but it adds a retro vibe. The center waistband pieces didn't meet at the center once I added the front button bands, which is really annoying, but the belt hides it fairly well.

When cutting the pieces, I made the mistake I ALWAYS MAKE and didn't lay out all the pieces at once. If I had done so I may have laid the pattern pieces differently to make sure I had enough for everything. In the end I didn't have enough for the collar and collar band facings, so I cut them out in white and told myself to make sure they get sewn up on the underside. Didn't happen. Then I realized I quite liked the contrast, so I added contrast white bands to the sleeves (which I also altered to make them longer) and I love the result.  I need to hunt for a white belt to complete the look, but in a pinch the brown belt worked.

I had intended to leave the skirt hem length 2" longer and even sewed it up using a bias hem facing. Loved it.  Then when I went to add the button band I realized my dress wouldn't be the right size to match, so I had to take it up the 2" anyway. Waste of my time, but oh well. Something else to plan ahead for next time.

I wore it to church and got a lot of compliments, which just tickled me when I followed up with "Thanks, I made it!"