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!
Edit: here’s a couple of snaps to show how I wore this item on holiday in Javea, Spain. I enjoyed wearing it, but I am thinking, now I am back home, that I might shorten it to midi length. More practical. Otherwise this dress may only get worn, truthfully, once or twice a year!
It’s so gorgeous!! I really love that print with the style and it fits beautifully. Perfect summer outfit
Thanks Kisha!
Your dress is beautiful and screams easy wearing summer dress though it seems really similar to Vogue 9253.
Thanks Carolyn. It might look similar to Vogue 9253 but this has the bands up the front, which you could do in a contrast fabric etc.
This dress is really wonderful! I might have to try it myself! Great job.
Thanks Lynn.
Oh my goodness, this is gorgeous! I love that fabric, and am so with you on machine sewing the bands down!!
Thanks Lynne! Machine sewing all the way.
beautiful, very resort wear with a cocktail at sunset, perfect summer maxi
Thanks so much Beth.
Have missed this pattern. Looks lovely well done.
Thanks so much sewnupgifts.
I am making view A and have been trying for 3 weeks to figure out how to construct the front band. I am not using a contrasting fabric. You said you had trouble with these steps as well. Are the instructions correct in step 41: (view B..because view A instructions disappear) “Pin wrong side of CONTRAST to right side of FRONT BAND.. Can’t make sense of this. Any insight would be appreciated.
Hey May1873. Sorry it’s taken me awhile to reply. Hope you sorted this out. The instructions, whilst somewhat head scratching, are correct as far as I can remember!
May 1873 – I am making View B of this dress and wonder did you manage this pattern in the end? If so, any clues? I find the instructions inexplicable for the band/facing/etc etc….I gaze at it because it seems more complicated than it need be? I am making this for my daughter, as a present, I defo need help to understand the instructions before I put it in a drawer somewhere obscure. And I thought I was an intermediate sewer. Clearly not.
Hi polly, yes I did manage this pattern but I know you are not the only sewist to struggle with the instructions. It is do able, but sorry I can’t explain it any better than in the instructions. I don’t have any words of wisdom for you. Sorry.
Your dress is lovely.
I’m so surprised at your height! In my head, you’ve always been 5 or 6 inches taller than that. 😁
The dress seems perfect for this weather we’ve been having. And it looks great, too. Love the print as well. McCall’s are obsessed with hand sewing and basting though, aren’t they? Ain’t nobody got time for that – too many patterns to sew and not enough time. 😂
Thanks Patsy. Yep I am a short arse in real life, lol. And nope to hand stitching if it can be helped!
You look absolutely fabulous in this one! You also always seemed taller to me in the pics – fellow shortie here 😉
Ha thanks Abbey. It’s amazing how we imagine people from their blogs 🙂
Gorgeous! In fact so good I may have had to order the pattern…..
Thanks Vicky.
This is such a gorgeous make Manju! I can practically feel a warm summer’s breeze.
Thanks Sue! The holiday was fab.
Gosh, it’s so dreamy! You look gorgeous Manju!
PS…I nominated you for The Mystery Blogger Award…Not to worry if you don’t have time to join in though. Here’s the link : https://www.dreamcutsew.com/blog/2018/07/14/random-fun-facts-for-the-mystery-blogger-award‘
Thanks Diane and thanks for the nomination. x
That is such a cute dress on you. Bought the pattern today because of you!
Thanks Becky. Hope your’s turns out well.
Hi Manju,
This dress looks gorgeous, and the print is perfect for that scale of dress (all-over), which as you say, manages to be maxi without swamping. I am of similar dimensions (5’3″) and similar size, so very inspired by your make. You say you used 4m — what width fabric were you using?
Hi slouchy, thanks. My fabric was 150cm or 60inches wife.