Hey All!

The summer sewing continues as the UK enjoys record temperatures. Happy days. McCalls 7624 is a perfect dress for wafting around in, when you want to be covered up, but feel free and breezy. It is really one of those dresses that can take you from pool, to market, to lunch, to out to dinner. I made mine in a palm print viscose that I purchased from The Textile Centre on eBay. One thing to note is that this particular view (view D) is fabric hungry! I used just about all of 4 metres of fabric, so that’s something to bear in mind if you do make this.

I love the cut-on kimono sleeves and the elastic in the back which helps give some shape. Overall, this is a great design, although the instructions do advocate a lot of hand sewing (all the bands are supposed to be slip stitched in place inside – I chose to machine stitch them, of course), but still, it’s a fab dress to have in my wardrobe and probably the first maxi I have made which I don’t feel totally swamped in.

Pattern Review

Pattern Description: 

Loose-fitting pullover dresses with front gathers and elastic at back waist, have sleeve and length variations. B: Contrast overlay. C: Contrast bodice and bands. D: Back tie ends.

I made view D.

Pattern Sizing:

6 – 22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

For the most part, Yes. I didn’t entirely follow the order of construction shown in the pattern as I was fitting as I went. Instructions for steps 43 and 45 were not that clear, IMO, but I got there in the end. The instructions advocate A LOT of handsewing (i.e. all of the bands, inside, but I machine stitched).

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

LOVE the finished dress. Love the kimono sleeves and the elastic in the back which gives shaping. It’s the first maxi dress I have made which I don’t feel swamped in. Nothing to dislike.

Fabric Used:

Viscose.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

• I shortened the length by 4 inches (FYI I am 5 foot 3 inches). Note: even then, this pattern is fabric hungry: I used almost all of 4 metres of fabric.
• I raised the front neckline by 2 inches. There is some slight buckling going on in the front which I would need to address if I was making this again.
• I DID NOT do a FBA on this dress.
• I omitted all the hand stitching and machined everything in place.
• If I was making this again I would also do a small full bottom adjustment on the skirt: I can see it hiking up ever so slightly back there.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I don’t know if I need another one of these in my wardrobe, but I definitely do recommend.

Conclusion: 

All you will need to accessorise this dress is a cocktail and a sunlounger 🙂

Until soon!