McCalls 6112 in Coral

Aloha!  I've come to the conclusion, after reading everyone's comments on the last post, we all need a HOT PINK t-shirt.  It's a color that makes people smile.  So hop to it.  I wanna see yours!  How's that for drill sergeant encouragement :) 

In the mean time, I have a new dress to show you.  Unfortunately my pictures are not terribly clear.  Sometimes my little point and shoot just doesn't cooperate!  I'm still working on getting a new camera.  This pattern, McCall's 6112, is a recent acquisition.  I bought it when Sewing Patterns had a $1.99 sale.

I made view B, without the studs on the shoulders, in a size 10.  I used Style Studio Stretch Rayon Jersey Knit Abstract in a white and coral colorway.  I purchased 2 yards for $9.98 at Fabric.com.  I think the print and color are perfect for the islands, and the loose cut of the dress is extremely comfortable for humid weather.

I also made the obi-like belt from New Look 6803 out of off-white medium weight linen to go with the dress.  If I did not have a belt to define my waist, I would look like a rectangle.  With the belt, I think this style works for a boyish figure like mine.  Although the sleeves are very wide, potentially allowing someone to view your midriff/chest, there is enough fabric that I don't feel like I need to wear a camisole underneath to avoid peek-a-boo.  The fabric drapes and conceals pretty well around my arms.  Another plus for keeping this dress airy.

I only changed a couple things regarding construction.  When attaching the skirt to the top the instructions allow for a 1 1/4" seam allowance so that you can make a casing to accommodate 1" wide elastic.  I have a dress with 1" wide elastic at the waist and I don't think it's very comfortable.  So I only wanted 1/4" wide elastic at the waist.  Therefore, I took up about a 3/4" seam allowance.  This also lengthened the skirt and bodice about an inch to and inch and a half overall.  Also, since I was using a knit with a lot of drape, I finished the neckline by binding it with self-fabric.  I cannot imagine getting good results by finishing the neck edge with a 5/8" narrow hem.  Nor could I see finishing the overarm edges with a 5/8" narrow hem.  Since most jersey knits do not ravel, I turned the overarm edges 5/8", stitched them down, then trimmed the seam.  Here is the opening of the shoulder from the outside.

Finally, instead of finishing the lower edge of the sleeves with a 5/8" narrow hem, I finished them with a 1" wide coverstitched hem.  I also finished the hem of the dress this way.   

Overall, this dress is a winner, and I see more in my future.  I especially want to try view A, with the cowl neck.   

In other sewing news, last Saturday I found this cotton lycra jersey at SewZanne's Fabrics.  (Bought it Saturday...Had it Tuesday = Great Customer Service!)  Having grown up in the eighties, I just couldn't pass this one up.  Talk about a fabric that makes me smile....I have fun plans for it!