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Sewing is therapy for me. I hoard fabric, patterns, notions, and spend more time shopping for fabric than I care to admit...

Friday, August 14, 2015

More spankx anyone?

I've always thought this dress and top, McCalls 7046,  was just adorable!  The ruffle on the hemline of this dress is just too darling!  I'm thinking that a 52 year old grandma is just too old for the double ruffle, but the single, that still works and so I went for it!


M7046, Misses' Tops and Dresses
Line Art

Am I right about the ruffle?  It's cute and all but I think I am a little old for the double, if you know what I mean.


Just look at the ruching!  It is done with 1/4" elastic stitched to the side seams and careful matching of dots and squares, all of which are marked on the pattern tissue.  Not a difficult step at all!
This is such a Bod-con fit.


I went one size up from my regular size 14 in the big four and am very glad I did as I haven't been exercising as much as I normally do for this time of the year--hence the need for spankx!



I do love the fit of the dress. I made a few design modifications.


 What were they?  Only to add bands at the neck and armholes  This alteration was only because the fabric was soft and stretchy and my coverstitch machine tended to make deep tunnels when I simply folded the fabric to the inside and hemmed.  


Dang!  So, I cut crosswise bands about 20% smaller than the opening, stitched them on with my serger, and then topstitched with my Bernina using a triple stretch stitch. Easy peasy and with the pink thread I used this is a nice compliment to the fabric.



I did end up using my coverstitch for the hem on the skirt portion.  To make this work, I used tear-away embroidery stabilizer under the layers of fabric separating it from the feed dogs.  I wasn't entirely sure if this would work or not but decided to sally forth and it worked great!  I'll have to remember this for future coverstitching on thinner fabrics, or those with a higher lycra content.



I made an FBA on this dress which you can see in how I prepared the pattern tissue.





If you ask me how I know how much additional width to add, I must say that it depends on the heft of the fabric you are using and the pattern.  I have to say this comes with trial and error.  I tend to use quite a few McCall's patterns as I like how they fit me.  I've come to figure out how much width to add at the bust based on my experience with these patterns and the fabrics I tend to sew often.



 All in all, a successful dress, provided I get my behind in gear running/biking as I should and it will fit as I want.  This is a fast sew with great results and one of those instant gratification projects we all need once in a while!  I just love the bold colors for summer!  It will also work as a transition piece for fall.  I can just see this with a denim jacket, how about you?

Thanks for reading!!!
Sue 

18 comments:

  1. Lady you are wearing this dress.. Granny my Eye!!! We are the same age and it is well ok to wear cute dresses like this. Age is nothing but a number just like the pattern size. Beautiful!!! I have a dress I have been wearing like this from Karen Kane Designs, the flounce was way down to the calf, I took it off, re-proportioned the dress for my height so the flounce seam and hem would hit the right places and it also has sleeves. I love that dress. This pattern is a def now that I see you with it.

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    1. Andrea, you are so inspiring! Thanks for your kind words and yes, I do have a two year old grandson!!! And you are so right, age is just a number! Although I wouldn't want to live some parts of my life over again, I don't feel much different than I did when I turned 30!!!

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    2. Andrea, you are so inspiring! Thanks for your kind words and yes, I do have a two year old grandson!!! And you are so right, age is just a number! Although I wouldn't want to live some parts of my life over again, I don't feel much different than I did when I turned 30!!!

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  2. We literally choose the same patterns and fabric 98% of the time. This is getting ridiculous, my SD soul sister. I have both the fabric and the pattern, so I could do this and be all literal. ;-) But I won't...this time. Hee. LOVE this on you. I bet your family and husband did too!

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    1. Thank you Dina, I hope you will make one exactly like mine! That would be awesome!

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  3. This is a really pretty dress on you . The fabric is very cheerful & the fit is great. All our tips are helpful too- as I never would have picked up this pattern if I hadn't seen it made up . Thx

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    1. Thank you MaryEllen! I appreciate your kind words!

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  4. Of course the pattern version made me give it major side eye but YEP! Love yours!!

    I like the movement in the flounce and it seems that as long as the fabric has some nice drape, it'll flow and not look too princess-y.

    And the fabric is so pretty :)

    Another hit!

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    1. Thanks Nakisha! I always appreciate your kind words!

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  5. I like this dress on you and with the flounce. We are the same age and I think we were raised with this "I am too old for this look" mentality. At least I was, my mom hasn't worn sleeveless since she was 30! Lol!!! Keep sewing and wearing your fabulous clothes.

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    1. Thank you Lori! I will wear it! I have to laugh at your comment about sleeveless tops--my mother-in-law told her daughter at age 30 she had to cut her hair short and that ladies wear dresses to parties, etc. I still hear some of her 'fashion advice' when I get dressed in the morning!

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  6. Beautiful dress! I would use the single flounce vs. the double as well--it looks great!

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    1. Thank you Carol! It is really growing on me and is very comfortable as well!

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  7. Beautiful fabric! Do you remember where you got it?

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  8. Looks great! Agreed the single ruffle is perfect! (coming from a 56 year old LOL)

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