Hi Everyone,

I made another version of McCalls 7948, this time in a very light weight cotton border print that I have had in my stash for a few years. You can see my first version here and read about the adjustments I made to the pattern for that first version.

I made this version to wear on holiday in Norfolk, and it is a great holiday dress. Hopefully I might have a chance to wear it somewhere abroad sometime soon! The cotton is soft and breezy, although it is quite sheer, so I am wearing a slip underneath it (see here for details on the slip).

Pattern Adjustments for this version

• From the first version, I removed 2 5/8ths inch from the width of the front piece, and 2 inches from the width of the back piece, and 2 inches from the front and back ruffle pieces.
• I shortened the sleeves by 3 inches.
• I cut the ruffles and the sleeve on the cross grain to take advantage of the border print.
• I lowered the neckline by 3/4 inch and finished using a narrow bias bound finish, and extended the bias out at the back to create ties.
• I did a continuous lapped placket at the back slit.

When I first wore this dress on holiday and saw pictures of it, I wasn’t sure about it (it’s that whole waistless dress thing for me; I feel I do suit things with more waist definition), but I do like it, and it is a great piece to have on hand to wear in warm temperatures. And I love the blue and white combination. Glad to have used this fabric up: it had kind of stumped me how to use the border print to its best advantage, but I am pretty pleased with the result I got.

See you soon.