McCall's 6886: Ready for Summer

I've had this pretty floral knit in my stash for several years, and, as I often do, I vacillated about what to make with it.  Then one day, I remembered a dress I'd made for Mehetabel a couple years ago: McCall's 6886 (blogged here).  I had lined that version and it worked out well.  Why not make a summer version?

I lined the dress using the same method I used in the earlier version (linked above).  This time, I used a white knit lining--I have no memory of its content or origin.

I think of this one as the "mod" floral.  It's a happy print, isn't it?  The fabric is from Girl Charlee, but purchased a couple years ago.

I have plans to make a coral eyelet knit cardigan.  I think it'll look great with this dress.  It's always nice to have a wrap in air conditioned rooms. 

As I did before, I finished the neckline with a facing interfaced with fusible lightweight knit from Fashion Sewing Supply.

The lining was cut an inch shorter than the fashion fabric.

This was another easy item to make, although the lining and facing process did make it slightly more complicated.  Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the outcome, and I believe Mehetabel will get a lot of use out of this dress.

Vogue 9311: Take Two with Modifications

I recently made Vogue 9311 for my daughter, Mehetabel, blogged here.  (That's not her real name. I'm just trying to preserve some of her privacy while posting multiple photos of her on the internet! Heh.)  Anyway, I decided to make the pattern again, and I planned to make several changes, but it turned out to be only one change in addition to the ones I'd made to the previous version.

Design Assistant Björn is more interested in the covey of quail on the front lawn

First, I made a couple muslins to see if I could cut off the extended shoulders and raise the neckline.  I couldn't make the change to the sleeve cap successfully without taking away the excess ease needed to keep the dress a pullover, so the sleeve cap remained as drafted.  And, even though the raised neckline looked good, I decided to leave it as is.  

But, since Mehetabel would like to wear a bra with these dresses, I added a small modesty panel to each version.

I dithered (my middle name might be "Dither") over what fabric to use, but finally settled on this poly/cotton blend from Mood.  I originally purchased this fabric several years ago as a potential choice for Mehetabel's bridesmaids' dresses, because I thought it might work well with her pink wedding dress (pictured on the sidebar to the right).  Ultimately, we went with an ivory crepe, so this floral remained in my stash.

The fabric is double-sided, but both Mehetabel and I didn't care for the reverse side.  I think the fabric is pretty, but the quality of the weave is subpar, and it is also quite delicate.  I had to work around some blemishes, the fabric skittered about, and it had a tendency to unravel.  

I underlined the skirt with pale pink batiste, and used the batiste to line the bodice.  The flounce is just the fashion fabric with a narrow hem.  The modesty panel on this dress is made from the fashion fabric with an overlay of point d'esprit lace from my wedding dress.  I lined the panel with batiste and hand sewed it to the bodice.

Here's the point d'esprit in question.  Hello 80s!

The dress went together without a hitch--well, except for the skittery fabric.  Like the previous version, the most challenging part was pinning on the flounce.  But, as I said about the earlier dress, that wasn't difficult, just tedious. 

And the verdict?  She likes it.  Huzzah!

Now Mehetabel and her husband are on their way to a rustic wedding ("classy casual" dress code) for one of her college buddies.  And, she has a new dress to wear!