#the pattern calls for 4 yards but I'm not making sleeves and I want to make the skirt longer

[bmwiid]

McCalls Sewing Pattern 7470

This is just me talking about sewing so I'll put most of it under the cut.

I made the mistake of buying the fabric BEFORE I had a pattern in mind. I knew I wanted a shirt dress, but wasn't sure what one, and I had this McCalls in my stash and it was in my size (I bought most of my patterns when I was skinnier, and the Big 4 normally stop at 14. You need to buy the 'larger' option (normally 16-24) in their own envelope.

Because I have the worst decision fatigue ever, I figured picking one I had and would fit was easier:

I honestly think I got this free in a magazine many, many years ago as the pattern I have looks different on the front but it's just the same pattern.

My fabric was a DREAM. Like I'm not even gonna lie, I bought 5 yards and I'm seriously thinking about buying more. I love it so much. I got it from Mood, like I'm a proper fashion person. The people who do the Project Runway thing get the fabric from Mood.

It was called Black and Red Buffalo Checks and Animal Silhouettes Peached Cotton, and it cost £5.70 a yard. It feels like flannel and its 100% cotton, which is nice!

I legit love stags and I know this is moose, I don't care. I love it. It's red and black and check and I'm always gonna love that. I never really got over that Avril Lavigne phase of personal style.

So the style of the dress is princess seams, which I'm not SUPER fond of because I like a waist seam because I think its more flattering.

I didn't fit the paper to myself because I was making a mock up out of an old bedsheet. I've always kinda sucked at fitting patterns and I thought this would be a good time to... try? I did okay but there are a few things I'm not happy about.

The pattern instructions were.... pretty typical for McCalls. The Big 4 always give pretty basic steps, which I'm not super fond of as a self taught seamstress*. They tend to be like "insert zipper" which sucks.

The dress did come together pretty easy, but it was time consuming. I was trying to be as careful as possible with cutting and matching notches as I love this fabric so much and this dress took 3 yards.

There was a lot of top-stitching and I was being real careful.

I can't pattern match to save my life and I was also trying to save on fabric, but this was probably the best top stitch I've ever done in my life, because I don't have a twin needle. I've been patting myself on the back for this one for a couple days now.

The collar, which I've struggled with in the past went together nice and easy - so taking my time and checking things a couple times before just jumping in does actually work. Who woulda thunkit?

I cut the yoke on the bias because I wanted it to look a little different and I'm really pleased how it came out.

I was going to add sleeves as well, because I like shirts and I think it's more waerable. However it's been fuckin roasting here and I'm not super excited about wearing a FLANNEL shirt dress in this heat

So I made it sleeveless, which makes me feel like a bad ass.

So it does still need buttons which have now arrived, so I'll be adding them on at some point. I may be putting it off because buttons require button HOLES and that means if I fuck it up its VERY VISIBLE.

It took me about 2 weeks to make this shirt dress. I was trying to do a little every day after work. I took it to Bo's once it was finished and she thinks it looks really good and like something you'd get in a shop, although that might be a Primark, so I didn't push it with my 'give me compliments' vibe. She did also say it made her feel like a lumberjack which is also a GREAT vibe!

Overall, I think this is a decent pattern, but I wouldn't make it again. I do like the end result, and will be adding the sleeves at a later date. I really would expect it to come together without too many issues, but the mock up really was needed as there was a LOT of ease it this pattern in the back and also the top of the bust. I EASILY took out 3 inches from the center back and upper bust area. I've recently read that the best thing to do is to measure the upper bust rather than the waist in Big 4 patterns as this can be a common issue, so I'll remember that next time.

*I use seamstress because I'd love to be a member of the Ankh Morpork guild of seamstresses.

#McCalls 7470 #sewing pattern #sewing #homesewing #home sewing #mood fabrics #handmade