Sunday, October 13, 2013

McCalls 6032 -- The Problem Purple Dress

After seeing a solid purple dress on pinterest here (which actually seems to be for a sewing pattern, just not in my language), I got it in my mind that I wanted a purple dress, too.  I found some purple pique knit fabric at Joann's, which I used with the smooth side out.  I had a pattern (now out of print) that I thought might work:  McCalls 6032.  I was a little leery of those gathers underneath the bust, but I decided to give it a try.  I made view A, the one the model is wearing.

This pattern required A LOT of alteration to become wearable.  I cut a size 14 and added one inch to the side seams, which is my usual alteration.  However, it is so large in the neckline that I should have gone down a size.  The holes where the center loop goes through were too large, so I sewed them up smaller.  Also there is an inside lining piece that goes down to the waist.  The directions have you make a casing and run elastic through the bottom of the lining.  That added a lot of bulk to my ribcage and it caused the lining to crawl up and bunch, so.....after painstakingly inserting the elastic, I had to painstakingly remove the elastic:(  One thing I did not do that I should have done:  stabilize the neckline (which is a deep V front and back) with knit stay tape.  I didn't do it because it's a bit awkward to figure out HOW to do it on this type of neckline, but it would have helped the neckline lay closer to the body.  It's a low neckline and a little va-va-va-voom.

The skirt was very full -- a lot fuller than it looks on the model -- and I took out a lot of width on the side seams below the waist.  I can't remember how much, but at least 8 inches!  All these alterations were not enough to prevent the dress from the dreaded maternity look, which is fine if that's what you're going for, but I am trying to avoid that.  Ugh......I was really bummed because I loved the fabric.  I hung the dress in the magic closet, hoping that when I pulled it out again a month and a half later, my opinion might have changed.

Unlike this top, the dress did not improve with its time in the closet.  I thought about cutting it up and using the fabric for something else, but it had a center front and center back seam so there was no large piece of fabric.  I racked my brains trying to think of some way to salvage the dress.  Emboldened by the fact that I had nothing to lose, I took in the center seam by one inch from hem all the way to the lining, which helped get rid of some of the excess front fabric and it tightened the neck up a little, too.

Here's the much-altered dress:

A view of the back:
I can't say that I recommend this pattern -- it required almost a complete overhaul for me to get something wearable out of it.


The part I am most excited about are these bra-keepers I added to the inside of the shoulder seams:


These were super easy to add with just a small piece of ribbon, two snaps, and a little hand sewing, and they work great.  I am going back and adding these to some of my other problematic dresses and tops.  They keep your bra straps from showing and they keep the dress from sliding around and off your shoulders.  This is the one part of this dress that I truly recommend:)



14 comments:

  1. I really admire your persistence with dressmaking - I'd have given up at the first hurdle! I also admire your shoe collection! The bra-keeper is such a good idea I'm surprised it's not included in more clothes. You look great in your dress as always :)

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  2. It may have taken a complete overhaul to get it right, but you look terrific, the colour is gorgeous on you. :)

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  3. The shape and color really have a great impact. It looks so pretty on you. Thanks for the reminder about the bra strap keepers--I need to remember to add these also!

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  4. Lots of work but I really like the final product...great color on you!

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  5. The dress is really pretty, and the bra keeper is a great idea!

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  6. You are one tenacious seamstress! You should be designing patterns yourself, you've become so knowledgeable. The tip about the bra straps staying in place is excellent. I'm going to pin this one if you don't mind.

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  7. You may have had to wrestle with this pattern a bit but the finished dress looks gorgeous and really suits you - you look very elegant and glamorous in it! I adore that colour and the subtle drape of your end result is wonderful - well done for persevering! I'm afraid I'd have given up long ago! The little strap keepers are brilliant - I hate straps showing. And as you say could be added to any garment which tends to slip on the shoulder. I don't believe there is anything you can't make! Very inspiring! E x

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  8. Certainly, the dress and the color look very nice on you. You are very persintente and I admire that, I think that these little adventures are part of a learning process that you will master with time and practice it. Happy week, dear Angela.

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  9. What an interesting read! I'm sorry to admit that I much prefer to READING your troubles with fabric than having those troubles myself - haha! But the dress really did turn out beautifully. I think it looks good on you, and as you say, the fabric is lovely. And those bra-keepers! Wow! I've never seen anything like that on a dress/top, and how useful! I never ever wear boat-neck shirts for that very reason. Nice job!

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  10. Angela you never cease to amaze me with your sewing talents, The bra keeper is a great idea! and your dress is so lovely. Thanks for sharing.
    Sue

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  11. Flattering dress and good color on you. Looks really good!

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  12. Very flattering dress on you in both colour and shape. All your work and perseverance has definitely paid off. Love the tip for the bra keepers. I have only used purchased ones but they look nice and simple to make.

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  13. Peeking in to say "hi" and hope all is well with you and yours!

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  14. I really love the colour and I'm glad you persevered, it looks lovely :)

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