I can finally show you a dress I’ve been making over the last couple of weeks, it seems to have taken ages, probably because I was being careful with pattern matching and seam finishing. It’s another McCalls 6696 shirt-waister, I know that’s not what I need (which is trousers, tops and everyday clothes!) but there was method in my madness!
Over the last couple of months I’ve seen the occasional moth in my sewing room, which has thrown me into a bit of a panic with my fabric stash! I decided to sew first the length of fabric I thought they might be most attracted to and which I would be most upset to lose! I bought this fabric on my last trip to Goldhawk Road, it wasn’t expensive, I paid £28 for 4m, but it feels like gossamer, it is so light you can hardly feel it on your hand. The lady in the shop reckoned it was silk and cotton mix and it certainly feels like it could be, imagine an extra light liberty tana lawn. She also reckoned it was machine washable on a delicate wash but I think I might be testing that on a scrap first!
I decided to make McCalls 6696 again, I made one earlier in the summer and I love it, I’ve worn it several times, it’s one of those dresses that makes you feel a million dollars, especially as I’ve had so many compliments about it.
I spent ages trying to pattern match the bodice and I’m pretty pleased with it, especially as it wasn’t easy planning it across the button band. I was also careful not to have a dark blue flower in an inappropriate place…with the result I’ve got a light blue one instead! It would have been nice to have the skirt pattern matching with the button band too but trying to work it out across the waistband would have just got too complicated.
The pattern went together beautifully again, I cut it to the same length as before as I like above ankle or lower calf dresses. The seams are all french seamed, including round the pockets. I love the pleats on the skirt, I think it is so much more flattering than gathers.
I went into Leeds to buy some buttons and as usual found nothing jumped out. I tried blue ones, taupe ones, pearly ones, in the end I got these blue ones although I’m still not 100% on them. I then had this bright idea to position the buttons in the centre of the flowers, this initial plan was good, where it fell down was to put one button in between, following the pattern of the fabric again. I feel they are just too far apart, I should have put two in between instead. The crucial button across the bust is a little bit too high, both from a point of view of wearing it open and also from a potential gaping problem!
I have a cunning plan! Tomorrow I am judging at a local village show and one has to look the part!! I shall wear my new dress, if I’m not happy with it then in the afternoon whilst I’m in Ilkley (for Ilkley Flower Show – two shows in one day!) I can call in at Duttons for Buttons and they are bound to have something as they have thousands of buttons, literally!
I just need a navy belt to complete my outfit. By the way, if anyone has any suggestions on what to do with arms in photos, please let me know! It didn’t help that it was a cold, wet evening when my chief photographer was trying to take them. Even the Rosie the dog was laughing at my efforts!
thecraftycreek 
I think you look amazing in your new frock. have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely fabric and dress. Good luck with your search for buttons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks fabulous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just a delightful dress pattern and fabric! Beautiful work on the bodice match, looks very expensive. For the arms, I never remember at the time of the photo, but I was given a suggestion to have one arm down and slightly behind and the other resting on your hip. This is meant to show off the outfit. Now if you can suggest one to make me look thin, I will take it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I know the best way to stand to make you look slimmer, one foot in front of the other, back one pointing slightly to the side so it turns your hips slightly and makes you look slimmer 🙂
LikeLike
It’s a gorgeous fabric, and the dress suits you very well. I do see what you mean about the button locations, and in your position I’d have been putting little velcro tabs in between to stop the underwear flashing that might otherwise happen. Extra buttons would do the trick even better. As for arms… one hand in the pocket or on the hip, the other tucked away behind you, and turn to a 3/4 view with your feet at 90 degrees to each other is what I was taught about showing to the best advantage in photos. Needless to say I usually forget till it’s too late.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another beautiful job Margaret, you definitely look like a judge who knows her stuff! Enjoy the fair and flower show!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The dress is lovely and suits you. I think the dog likes it too.
If you’re concerned about the top, perhaps a brooch in the right spot would fix that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks fantastic
LikeLiked by 1 person
im just learning how to sew and just last week got my first sewing lesson from my aunt. it meant so much to me. i think i will make my next blog post about “Getting To Know Your Machine”, if you know of any good beginner patterns for completely new sewers, i’d love to know! i love love the buttons and the fabric for your dress, you look lovely. I think the dog wants a dress too! as for the arm thing – just go for something natural and casual
LikeLike
Hi, the big pattern companies such as McCalls, Butterick and Simplicity all have patterns listed as suitable for beginners, my daughter made a skirt from Tilly and the Buttons first, I think it was the Arielle skirt, she was at uni at the time so she followed the pattern with no help from me, just the odd phone call on how to do buttonholes! The important thing is to find a pattern you actually like and enjoy making it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so muchhh!! It is soo daunting. “Made To Sew” Youtube channel has been a great beginners course so far. Did I show the picture of all the McCalls patterns I got? lol They aren’t in my size though, but maybe i can cut the pattern? Sewing has opened some doors. I will check out that Arielle skirt too.
LikeLike