Thursday, July 11, 2013

Sewing Project: McCall's 6752

My sewing mojo (or sew-jo as Andrea describes it) has been a bit off this week. Over the 4th of July holiday, I took five days off from sewing because my husband was off work. Five days probably doesn't sound like a lot, but it was a long time for me! I needed to recover from two bad projects in one week. The first was Simplicity 1613. The second was today's dress, McCall's 6752:


Unlike Simplicity 1613, this pattern does work. My problem was fabric choice. I made View B, which is the kimono-sleeve dress from the bottom left corner. You know I love a good kimono sleeve (see here and here) but this one didn't quite turn out:


This photo captures what's wrong with this dress. TOO MUCH CHEVRON! If there is such a thing. It looks sort of blob-y. I had my doubts going into it, and I should have trusted my gut. I see now that extending chevrons onto the arms takes it too far. "It's a lot of look" as Tim Gunn would say.


I added in-seam pockets, but unfortunately they caused problems of their own. The side seams for the skirt are curved, and I didn't curve my pocket edges. I also skipped topstitching the pockets. Those two "shortcuts" resulted in some weird bagginess around the pockets, which adds volume at the hips. Yuck.


The fabric is navy and white chevron stripe from Girl Charlee. I got it in a bargain box because it has some ink bleed. I cut the fabric so this part was on the back, along the neckline. Not too noticeable.


I think I'll make this pattern again, but I need to find the right fabric. I can't decide if I need to narrow the sleeves or not.


Speaking of sleeves, make sure you hem the armholes neatly. Since they're so large, you'll likely see the inside of the sleeve.


I'm also still in love with a 3-step zig-zag for hemming knits:


This dress is super comfortable, and the cut of the skirt is perfect (without pockets haha). The draped neckline is finished in a really interesting way (make sure you read the directions!). 


I don't know how often I'll wear this dress, so we'll call it a wearable muslin for now. 


Thoughts? Does this dress look okay or am I right about it being too busy? Maybe I'm just not bold enough to pull it off!

If you don't own this pattern already, you MUST check out the Ashley Ruffle Dress at Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop. Today only, for Thrifty Thursday, it's only $4! I love this dress and reviewed it here.

13 comments:

  1. I like it! But, if you hate it, you should totally chop it, add a band of sorts, re-hem, and wear it as a top.

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  2. It's busy but I still think it's cute. You can wear a different belt of a different color to break it up or use accessories such as a scarf to bring another solid color in. Or, like Mrs. Smith said, you can make it into a skirt and a top.

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    1. Thanks, what a great idea! I'm terrible when it comes to styling, but I think a thick brown belt would definitely work here. I feel so dumb for not even thinking of that!

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    2. yes a thick brown belt would defintely tone it down a bit and look super cute!

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  3. I think it looks great on you as is. Choose a bright pair of shoes and bag and you will love this.

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  4. Keep it! Your dress fabric is trending heavily. Honestly, you also make the dress work in your favor. You really look sensational in it!

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  5. I think this is adorable. A belt would look fantastic with this (yellow or orange would look particularly awesome)! I have a very unhealthy obsession with Chevron right now, so I may be a little partial to the fabric, but I think this looks great! Stopping by from Hoyby Crafts!

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    1. Thanks for reading! I think a belt-shopping trip is in my future...

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  6. It's gorgeous! I was thinking a red belt would be fun with it. You could tighten the sleeve (lessening the 'look') by tapering the underarm seam from side to sleeve edge for a sleek/less busy fit. Topstitch the pockets or secure them at 2-3 critical points for a smoother line. Good luck; it's a darling dress.

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  7. I think a wide dark blue, bright pink, black or deep tan belt would break it up. I'd be careful about a scarf with so much going on at the neckline. Also a jacket would calm it down, but I know that I might ruin the kimono sleeves. You could make your own belt to compliment if you did a fabric cinch belt, right? http://www.etsy.com/listing/129171372/hot-pink-cinch-belt?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=vintage_low&gclid=CPHS_abqrLgCFUxgMgodXlsAjQ

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    1. Oooo I love that belt! And a jacket is a good idea as well.

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  8. I love this! You are being too hard on yourself like we all do... pointing out all the little mistakes when the finished piece is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing, now I think I need this pattern. :)
    Caroline

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    1. Thank you! You're probably right. I wore the dress all day yesterday, with a belt, and it was sooooo comfortable. Now I don't even care what it looks like!

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