Maxi Dress Wardrobe Staple - Dart Rotation M7386 and M6559

Now that I've shared many of the major events and activities of my birthday celebration, I'm back to playing catch up with my sewing projects from the summer.  Sometimes it is a challenge to take the photos and organize them.  

So let me get started with two maxi dresses that I made in August.  Both dresses are really easy to make.  The first is a "Learn to Sew for Fun" pattern. The second pattern that I used may be OOP. There are so many options for hacking or making changes to either pattern to suit your own taste or design preference.  

One of the major adjustments that I almost always make is a FBA, which I made for these two dresses.  Before I start with all the changes, let me provide some of the basic information about the two dresses.

Pattern Descriptions:

M7386 -  McCall's gives a really basic description:  Pullover top, dresses and pull-on skirts have narrow hem.  One of  my favorite elements of the design is the fishtail skirt of the maxi dress.

 M6559 - Close-fitting, unlined jacket in two lengths has front extending into single-layer tie ends (wrong side shows).  Very close-fitting, pullover dresses.

Pattern Sizing:

M7386 - Size groupings (XS, S, M and L, XL, XXL)

M6559 - Size groupings (6-14 and 14-22)

I used what would be large and size 16, respectively.  And, of course, I made some modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

The silhouette is basically the same. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

The instructions are simple.  Any level sewist should be able to follow them with no problems

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

With my changes, my likes are the ruching in the bust area, the fishtail skirt, and the finishing of the bands at the neck and armholes.

Fabric Used:

My knit fabric is from Hobby Lobby.  It is a spongy knit, similar to Liverpool knit.  It was very easy to work with.  Before cutting into it, I pre-washed and dried it. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

the adjustment is made for the length of the front and back pattern pieces.

#1 dress - animal print (M7386). 

• FBA and Dart Rotation - For this dress I used M7386 front and back.  The FBA was made to rotate the dart to the center front to create ruching at the bust area.  This eliminates the bust dart all together.  I've posted a tutorial years ago if you are interested in the steps to do the dart rotation.  Here 
• This process is pretty easy to follow.  Once I did the dart rotation, I just added seam allowance to the center front.
• Neck and armhole band -  I simply measured the circumference of  each for the length of the band minus 2 to 3 inches depending on the stretch of the fabric.  The width of the bands 2".  The ends of the bands were sewn together (3/8" seam allowance) to create a circle.  Then attached to the appropriate areas using a 5/8" seam allowance; trimmed after sewing.  Then top-stitched for a nice finish.
• Broad shoulder adjustment - I added width across the back.
• Swayback - horizontal tuck across the back at the waist.
• Length - I also have to add length. Lol  Just a few inches so that the dress is truly a maxi dress.
• I did do some tweaking along the way.  The added width across all areas isn't needed throughout the entire dress.  So I adjusted as needed taking in larger seam allowances.

#2  dress rust Solid (M6559) 

• I used the front of M7386.  But for the back I wanted a racerback.  So, I used the top of M6559.  And to keep the skirt silhouette of M7386, I overlaid the skirt back of M7386 folding and tucking the rest of the pattern out of the cutting path.  No need to retrace unless you really want to.  Lol.  So the skirt (fishtail) was the same for the front and back.  All other adjustments were the same.  I did need to add a center back seam.  The center back seam helps with getting that close fit at the small of my back.
• All other changes are the same as M7386.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Sure.  This is a quick and easy dress, a wardrobe staple.  It has many style options, which can be worn well into fall with cardigans, jackets, shrugs, or a knit t-shirt underneath.

I recommend these patterns to all level sewists.

Conclusion:  Both patterns are easy to sew for all level sewists.  It is versatile and stylish.  

Happy Sewing!

C

 

Paris and London - High Tea at the Ritz

Day 7 - High Tea at the Ritz

Our final day of celebration in London.  In the morning, shopping, shopping.., Lol

Late afternoon high tea at the Ritz Hotel.  This was a big to do.  We had a fabulous time.  Enough said.., 

Pictures

Until next vacation!  

Now, I will try to quickly post all of the summer projects that I completed prior to my spectacular destination birthday celebration.  

Happy Sewing!

C

Paris and London Birthday Trip - Westminster Abbey/ Houses of Parliament

 Day 6 - Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament

We spent all morning and part of the afternoon at Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.  The guided tours were phenomenal.  The first tour was Westminster Abbey, the royal church.  It is a massive edifice where royal ceremonies are held and where people from the world over are honored.  It is old, and it is beautiful. 

Above the West Doors of Westminster Abbey are the statues of modern martyrs of the 20th century.  Dr. Martin Luther King is one of them.  Inside the Abbey there are what appears to be hundreds of memorials and honors.  Of course, there was so much more to see.  But after a while, I stopped taking pictures to listen to the tour guide.

Houses of Parliament - Parliament consists of three components:  the sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of  Commons.  It is where laws are brought and made for the commonwealth of the United Kingdom.  What was interesting to know was that the King/Queen of England does not make laws, but they officially come to the Houses of Parliament to read the new laws on an annual basis.  I don't want to try to explain their judicial process as that is best studied by individuals

We were not allowed to take pictures inside the Houses of Parliament.

 

Paris and London Birthday Trip - To London Jazz Night

 Day 5 - Travel to London by way of the Chunnel - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

We departed from the Gare du Nord train station.  The train ride was about 2.5 hours to London. Upon arrival, we enjoyed a tour of London.  The highlights were all the notable places there: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Elizabeth's Tower,  Parliament Square, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Harrods store, and fashionable Kensington.  

Once at our hotel, we were off to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club for some wonderful music and a delicious meal.  Sorry we would not allowed to take any pictures once the band begin to play.

Paris and London Birthday Trip - Black Paris Tour

 

Day 4 - Black Paris  Full Day Tour

For my first visit to Paris, I wanted to learn something about the culture of the people, especially those who came from Africa and America.

Some African Americans relocated to Paris seeking a better quality of life and basic human rights, which were denied in the USA. Josephine Baker and James Baldwin were two who made France their home. There are honorariums made to many for their extraordinary accomplishments. But before they came there were others who influenced and help shape France for what it is today.

The Black Paris tour was conducted my Ms. Ricki Stevenson and her team. More information about their services is here.  

We learned so much about the history of Paris. It was an enriching experience that gave me an elevated perspective of the people and culture of the country called France.

I’ll just give a few highlights here. There is so much to learn and know about Black Paris. Certainly, one post couldn't tell the story.

he Pantheon, France's national mausoleum of heroes.

Ms. Josephine Baker was inducted into the Pantheon, France's national mausoleum of heroes.  She is the first Black woman, the first American, and the first entertainer to be honored. Her body is buried in Monaco. During the ceremony. a casket with soil from St. Louis, Missouri, Paris, and Monaco was carried by the air force in her honor. She received many honors for her contributions to World War II. Ms. Baker also spoke during the March on Washington.

La Mulatresse Solitude lead a revolt against slavery in Paris, while she was eight months pregnant. She was captured.  Then, she was executed after she gave birth to her child. This statue was erected in her honor.

Alexandre Dumas, a prolific writer and son of General Thomas Alexandre Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie. Mr. Dumas has a great body of work that includes: "The Count of Monte Christo", "The Three Musketeers ", and "Twenty Years After."

This statue depicts his image seated at the top. Just below his image from the front view, there are three people who appear to be enjoying his novel. In those days women were not allowed to read books that were full of intrigue and action. The man on the right is a teacher. And finally, the man on the left, poor, no shoes and probably no access to books. But all are enjoying the literary works of Alexandre Dumas.

Now, on the back of the statue sits D'artganan of "The Three Musketeers".  D'artagnan's character was said to be Black/African. 

About half-way through our tour, we came to "Little Africa", where many of the people were originally from various African countries.  They had their own marketplace and other businesses.  Commerce was exchange within their community several times before it left their community.  We had a late lunch at a family-owned West African restaurant. The food was delicious. 

So, if you're ever in Paris, France, this is a great tour to take during your visit.

More Later,

C