Hello everyone! As you may recall I pledged £10 to make McCalls M6696 here for the Made Up Initiative. Made Up Initiative is the brainchild of sewcialist extraordinaire Karen Ball aka Did you Make That. Its raised over £2300 as of posting for the National Literacy Trust. Its pretty awesome being part of such a wonderful community of sewers :-).
I made this dress in a fine cotton lawn that attracted me with all these lovely summery shades. Its the same fabric used to make my beloved Vogue V1440 top. I love this fabric so much despite my apparent inability to pattern match plaids.
Everything went well sewing wise except for 3 things. (I will try to be brief):
1. The lawn is quite a loose weave so when interfaced it shrunk considerably such that for my waist band and button band they were shortened by about 1.5″. I had to merge with scraps. In future when working with this type of fabric I will block fuse then cut the pieces.
2. I folded a bias cut button band in half so it actually doesn’t lie as flat as I would like. In future if I am cutting on the bias I need to sew 2 pieces together.
3. Something went with the pleats – not sure what but I ended up loosing 2 pleats at the button band end. Next time I will press the pleats with the pattern paper still on to ensure I get them perfectly right.
I didn’t bother with a neck button since I wouldn’t ever wear this buttoned all the way up.
For the inside yoke I used pink cotton voile. Armholes were finished with fancy floral bias binding which I do likey 🙂
Despite all the hand stitching involved – I finished it in time to enjoy a brilliantly sunny weekend. I love this dress. Like really love it! Love the length. Love the gathers at the back. Love the pleats. Did I mention its got pockets (I was so busy twirling I forgot to get shots with my hands in my pockets).Will I be making again? Yes! I am very excited about the variations I want to make. This pattern is a keeper for me and I am glad this challenge came along and I sorted it out.
For more details of the awesome Made Up Initiative hosted by Karen of Did you Make click to Karen’s post here for full details. Go on and make a pledge too!
Thanks for stopping by and Happy sewing everyone!
Hila
X0X
#madeup
#mccallpatterncompany
That’s lovely! And sunshine too for your photoshoot! It’s amazing how much has been raised. I need to get cracking with mine, but I’ve just been checking out train prices for the meet up on the 12th. Wish London wasn’t so far 😐
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Thanks! Its great she is doing the meet up. Cant wait to see the IG feed on the day. We will have to meet up with them virtually😃.
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Maybe the spoolettes could do s northern meet and link up! 😃
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That would be great. I cant make that Saturday though – just realised its 11 plus test day for my son on 12th. Eek!
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He needs his mum that day! Good luck!! 😃
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Thanks! I honestly think I will be more nervous and anxious than him.
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Well done on finishing your make well ahead of the deadline. It looks lovely – you seem to have more sunshine than we do down here on the south coast! I just have the hem to sew on my skirt so nearly there.
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Thank you!
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Your dress is lovely! Love the summery colours of your fabric! Congratulations on fulfilling your pledge. I’ve pledged but haven’t done anything about it yet! Hopefully this weekend!
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Thank you! Glad i finished with time to spare for once😂
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Beautiful! Looks great with the bright pictures!!
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Thanks hun😘
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i’ve been waiting to see this, came out really well and bonus points for fullfiling your pledge. This is an excellent pattern and I have used it already twice.
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Its a great payyern right! I will be catching up with you soon and make another one😃
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👍Looking forward to see that too 😀
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Pretty lawn dress on the sunny lawn! Beautiful work!
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Aw thanks 😘
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Gorgeous shirt dress.
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Thanks Faye!
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Ooooh, yes. This is great. I love the pinks on you. Twirly and nice.
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Thanks Kate.
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Oh, this is gorgeous! The colors are nice and fit you well and the shape of the dress is perfect.
I never had interfacing shrink my fabric, that is really odd. The print hides the add ons, so all is good!
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Thank you! Shame I made it so late in the season but I know it will feature loads for MeMadeMay next year😃
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Such a fun print, perfect for swirling in 🙂 You really wouldn’t notice any non-matching bits. Well done for getting your pledge finished up and where did that weather come from? We put the heating on last night it was so cold!
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Thank you! Its been funny weather down my way. I think its settling into cooler weather now though.
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A lovely dress! Shirt dresses always look way too complicated to me! I’ve had one cut out for about 4 months. The colours in the fabric are great and I really like the back of the dress.
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You should go for it! They arent as bad to make up-👍
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Your dress looks amazing! Well done for overcoming the shrinkage – it doesn’t notice unless you point it out!
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Thank you! I feel all lovely and vintagey in it😃
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You can’t beat a bit of vintage! 😉
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Thank you!
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This looks fab! And the fit is great. I like the front button band and waistband on the bias, little touches like this really make a big impact.
I’ve nearly finished my version, I just need to add the collar and buttons.
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Thanks Helen. The buttons – there is a lot to add but its fun when all done. Looking forward to your post😃
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The last evening I spent working on this was just for the buttonholes and sewing on the buttons – luckily buttonhole stitching went smoothly! Finished post put up last night
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Hila you did a fantastic job on this dress. The inside details on the arm holes. I always enjoy your post. Thank you for sharing your up’s and down….it helps me to be a bit less brutal on myself when sewing 😉.
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It can be quite hard but just remembering that “Done is better than perfect” keeps me going till i finish. Then usually the finished garment is not as bad as i thought while sewing. 👍
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Great perspective!
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It’s just so lovely and summery!! and the fit looks perfect! – It really suits you!
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Thanks Su!
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I love it! I’m also seriously eyeing up those shoes!
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The shoes are like walking on clouds! So comfy and they go with most things (as expected of Clarkes). 😃
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Hila, your wardrobe must be massive. Is there no end to your talent?! Love the armholes! ❤
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Lol Thanks Beth. My wardrobe is quite small actually fits on one of those portable single clothes rails that cost about £8. 😃
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Very nice! I love the fabric you used.
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Thanks Lisa! Despite the issues with the fabric its a 🏆. 😃
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Beautiful! I love this pattern and it looks so pretty in a check fabric. I bet you’ll make another one soon! x
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Indeed! Fabric selected already – now ro make more hours in a day……
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Love it! Wonderful colours in the fabric.
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Thank you!
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Absolutely gorgeous, the checks work so well. Finally finished mine last week and I’m in love with the pattern, contemplating a long sleeved one for the cooler weather!
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Saw your pics on IG and it looks fab! Looking forward to the post😃
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Love the plaid! This dress turned out so cute. I like how the front band has the plaid on the diagonal, really makes it pop!
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Thanks! It was a fun photoshoot that made up for the hassle of making it😊
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Oh it’s wonderful! The fabric and the fit! You did a great job, well done. And I now want to sew this pattern up even more. 😀
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Thank you! I was licky it fit right out of the packet with no alteration. Many sewers have had the same experiance too.
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I hope I do too!
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This post makes me happy! The dress, the garden, the laughter! Lovely creation and I love the fabric too.
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I am so glad you enjoyed the post just as much as I enjoy this dress 😘
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