Pattern Review – McCalls 6556 Fashion Star Dress

Pattern Description: Pullover dresses have narrow hems. A: loose-fitting, tucked front and back extend into armhole drape. B: very close-fitting, bias self bindings (armhole extends into shoulder straps). I made view A.

Sizing: 4-20. I made a 14

Fabric Used: Rayon Striped Jersey – Olive Gray from Gorgeous Fabrics (of course!)

Needle/Notions Used: Stretch 75/11 Needle, Gutterman thread.

Tips Used during Construction: Tips and Tricks for Sewing with Knits

Did it look like the photo or drawing when you got through? Yes

How were the instructions? Good. This is a very easy dress to make. What I like is that the instructions give ideas for styling it differently.

Construction Notes: None, really. I made this straight out of the envelope. I was going to do a FBA (which would have proved interesting) until I realized that the front and back are not sewn together at the tucks, so I decided to forgo the FBA.

Likes/Dislikes: I like the lines and the ease of this pattern. I’m going on vacation with my family this summer(may be the last one before DS the elder heads off to college), and I think this will make a great hang-around dress or beach cover up. It’s a little on the short side, so if you want to make this to wear by itself in a day-to-day setting, you may want to add a couple of inches of length.

I also like the fact that they show you how you can shorten it to a top or tunic length to give yourself styling options. They recommend knits for this, but I could easily see it made up in a soft silk as a top to put over skinny pants or a long dress for evening. I could readily see it made into a top with a sequinned fabric like This Knit:

Mini Sequinned Rayon Knit Novelty - Pinot Noir

Or even in a silk chiffon – you can easily make this in a light, drapey woven fabric. As I say, the tucks are not attached to each other, so you don’t need the stretchiness of a knit to wear it.

Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? Yes and yes! This is a very easy, very fun look. I’m really grooving on the idea of a top. Maybe I’ll make one to wear to the Haute Couture Club of Chicago next week! I may make a top and make the tank dress to wear underneath it. Hmmmm….

Here are a couple of pictures. It got very chilly today or I would have modeled it. New England weather, you know? But here it is on Shelley.

Front

Detail of the left "sleeve" and tucks

Conclusion: A great fun dress! I definitely recommend it.

Happy sewing!