New Look 6507

This pattern entered the stash almost immediately after it was released. Pattern Review tells me I added it to my pattern stash on June 2, 2017. And then mid-June I bought a fun border print cotton lawn from SR Harris...but I couldn't work out how to use the print with the flounces and put it away. And then I hurt my hand and didn't sew for nearly 2 months. Well by then it was near September + Tundra = No More Summer Dresses. :)

When I ordered this rayon challis from FM (in this colorway and a blue & green), I knew immediately that I'd be making a version of this pattern! And then I decided it was cute enough to be a birthday day dress.

headed to birthday brunch!

My sewing room still isn't fully set up since the move but I figured it is such a simple dress, it'd be no sweat! Oy vey. Moving around boxes and bags and what not is not easy! Especially in an already small space!

As one might expect, this pattern is pretty simple and straightforward and relatively quick to sew.

I used the size Medium (I normally use a medium on top and large on bottom in s/m/l patterns). I did a pivot and slide FBA adding 3/4". I added a center back seam and did a 5/8" swayback adjustment, and I added 1/2" through the back hip.

I used my new (awesome!) rolled hem foot to hem the flounces. Since they have some bias in them, you may end up with wavy edges. Just line it up carefully on the ironing board and press it with a good bit of steam and then do not touch it. Let it sit until it cools. The underarm is finished with self-bias tape and then the flounce is attached right side to wrong side of the dress. Flip it out and stitch for the casing. HATED. HATED. HATED. I am not sure how else to achieve this but it was SO bulky and I had to open it up at the seams to get the elastic through.

 

I understitched the bodice front and back before flipping out the flounce and topstitching the casing

I sewed the side seams and didn't like it as much as I'd hoped. I also felt that the fabric was kind of blah. I liked it more on my table than on my body! Behold, crappy nighttime cell phone pics:

I took a ton of pics and realized it was too boxy on me...

I'm holding the excess fabric in...yes! It needs to be taken in!

 

I took it in about 1/4" at all 3 vertical seams, just through the waist:

 

 

There was something still off for me and I was beginning to get discouraged. I hadn't rushed it all; I started it on July 2 and finished it on the morning of the 6th. And I felt it *should* work, darn it! :)

 

In the pic below I have it tucked up under the flounce, about 2". THAT'S IT! It was too long. I knew I didn't want to go too short because of the giant flounce but *just* above the knee is usually ideal for me.

I also removed about 3" from the recommended elastic length. I was much happier with the fit after making these changes!

I didn't have enough fabric to match the print (I thought I'd have to settle for just one flounce) but I did make sure the motif was at least in the correct position horizontally through the side and CB seam. The CB seam actually matched fairly well for me to not have given it a thought. #birthdaymagic

Shortening it also allowed me to fix this weird side seam issue. It was only on the left side...I'm not sure if I did that while hemming or if it was cut slightly off grain. I removed a total of 1 3/4"in length, and another 1/2" at that wonky side seam.

 I had a FABULOUS birthday! I was still munching on 4th of July bbq'd meats...mmmmm! I had chocolate mousse filled chocolate cake with strawberries (my absolute fave!). I went to brunch and saw Ant Man and then took a road trip to Chicago to see Hamilton!! I made a dress for the show as well and hope to get full photos and get it reviewed too!

The Big 3-9! :-D

(ignore my house full of unpacked boxes! :-p )

 

 
I really enjoyed wearing this dress and the rayon challis in this fun, bright print kept me cool and comfy all day!