McCall 6028

Pattern Description: Misses' Dresses: Fitted dresses A, B, C, D have front and back princess seams, back zipper and sleeve variations; dress A has purchased trim and back slit; dress B has contrast panels and back slit; dress C has short self-faced sleeves and left front slit; dress D has elbow length sleeves and back slit; dresses A, B, C, D lengths are 1" below mid knee.
  
Pattern Sizing: 8 to 22; I used size 14 with modifications.  

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Basically, yes. Simple princess seam dress with front yoke.  

Were the instructions easy to follow? No problems with the instructions.  

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the princess seam with the front yoke. No dislikes.  

Fabric Used: Plaid rayon suiting that I bought many, many years ago from a fashion fabric club. Can't remember which one though.  

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Several alternations. Most are in the previous post. The rest: invisible zipper, added a inch or two to lengthen it, added two different color piping to the seams. The last change almost turned this dress into a waddler. The plaid is uneven and I didn't want to take the time to line up the print across all seams. So I decided to cut the center front and back on the bias. I sewed the dress together with no problem, until it was time to hem it. The hem flared out at the center front and back. It looked terrible. I tried adding fusible interfacing; then I tried sewing deeper seam allowance near the hem. Neither worked. So, I decided to ask some of the ladies in the club (Haute Couture Club June luncheon 6-2-2012). They made the same suggestions that I already tried. Sadly, I decided the dress was an unwearable waddler. I told my DD there was no solution except for the trash. Then she said, "Mama, What about adding chain to the hem to make it hang evenly. You know, like in a Chanel jacket." Imagine that, a newbie to sewing helped solve my problem. I immediately went to my notion cabinet to find some chain. What I had on hand was not heavy enough so I doubled the weight by sewing two rows of chain to the center front and back. Then I tried on the dress. It worked! It's not perfect, but I can at least wear it.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I plan to sew it once more. This was a test for the tissue pattern alteration post. There is one more small change I will make on the next version, and that is to add a little width from the lower hip down. I look a little "too" top heavy.

 Conclusion: This is a fairly easy pattern to sew. And I am I was able to work out my "self-imposed" trouble. Next, dress will be straight forward. All of the fitting adjustment are resolved. It will take no time to make.