Dresses

McCall’s 7969

Happy October everyone! It’s spooky season right? I’m already planning what pumpkin design to try this year after my super successful painted pumpkin with sewing theme illustrations.

Now onto what I’ve been making! Here is my new M7969 dress which you can buy here. When I finished my previous red and pink M7969 I knew I needed more of this pattern. I then very soon after picked up this gorgeous floral viscose from Rainbow Fabrics.

almond rock in an autumn floral print version of m7969 buffet dress surplice bodice with gathered skirt and elastic hem sleeves

The falling blooms in orange and blush on the black base make me think of Autumn and even though I try to avoid wearing black, I knew it had to come home with me. All their fabric is deadstock or overstock from fashion houses and suppliers in London so you have to buy quickly if you like something. I’m glad I did as it’s now sold out, but take a look to see if you fall in love with another print.

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For my second version of the dress I chose to try longer sleeves. I used view B again but cut the sleeve just below elbow length. I should have probably gone another couple of inches longer in hindsight but I’m pretty happy with this. I can wear a cardigan over the top easily but also show a little bit of skin when I choose. With oversized dresses like this I think they suit me best when you can see my arms OR I cut to knee length.

almond rock in an autumn floral print version of m7969 buffet dress surplice bodice with gathered skirt and elastic hem sleeves

The dress goes together so smoothly and with the multi directional print I could easily get the dress out of 2metres of fabric. It’s definitely softer and swishier than the polyester crepe version which I like so you can see why the primary recommended fabric is challis. For me, using the double row of gathering stitches to draw in fabric has never seen me wrong so I’ve done that at the sleeve heads and waist.

almond rock in an autumn floral print version of m7969 buffet dress surplice bodice with gathered skirt and elastic hem sleeves

As before this is a size M with no other size alterations. For the elastic cuffs I made a small single folded 1cm hem which was stitched 80% of the way around with a gap left to feed my elastic into place. This teeny channel required adding a safety pin to the end of my elastic to help feed it through. I normally like to use my bodkin for elastic channels but it was too tight for that.

almond rock in an autumn floral print version of m7969 buffet dress surplice bodice with gathered skirt and elastic hem sleeves

I already wore it out twice. Once to dinner with my new colleagues! Sue who is the General Manager of Simplicity, Jackie who leads the Customer Service team and Marilyn who manages the Sew Today digital subscriptions. We went to a lovely new restaurant in Altrincham. Then I enjoyed wearing it so much, I wore it over to dinner at my in-laws house! So what I’ve determined is it’s great for wearing to dinner. It’s dressy enough to feel fancy but loose enough to sit comfortably while I stuff my face. WINNER.

almond rock in an autumn floral print version of m7969 buffet dress surplice bodice with gathered skirt and elastic hem sleeves

(2) Comments

  1. Carol Thomas says:

    As you say, a easy dress to wear, with no restrictions on how much you eat! . Lovely print.

  2. […] is serving us an enormous slice of pumpkin pie with this autumnal costume! Amy used McCall’s M7969 sample and a floral viscose to create this beautiful autumn costume. Try her weblog, Almond Rocks, […]

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