Good morning, friends!
I’m super happy to finally share this dress with you! This is actually my Christmas dress. Yes, it’s March and I’m just now sharing it with you. To be honest, it’s been sitting in my sewing room since I wore it (and then laundered it) on Christmas. My reason for not wearing it again until this photoshoot is due to a minor alteration that I still haven’t done…. I figured it was better to iron it and take photos in it rather than wait for the mending mice in my sewing room to fix it.
Source: McCall’s Patterns
This is the ubiquitous shirtdress pattern — McCall’s 6696. Surprisingly, this is only the second version that I’ve made, although I have another one on in my sewing queue. I made the bodice from version D with the skirt from version A/B.
The fabric I used is a lovely green tartan cotton from The Smuggler’s Daughter (no longer available). It’s a soft woven fabric that would have probably also worked well for a tablecloth or napkins — but I made a shirtdress with it, and it sewed up very nicely. Unfortunately, I didn’t order quite enough of it, so I had to cut my skirt a little shorter than my usual preference and I didn’t get the front placket wholly cut on the bias. I did manage to get the back yoke, collar and cuffs cut on the bias and matched up my plaids. So it would have been Christmas card worthy if I had actually taken a family Christmas card photo last year….
Pay no mind to the weeds I haven’t pulled yet and look at the dog in the sweater
I did a swayback adjustment to the back bodice piece, but with my high waist, it still seems like there’s a lot of fabric going on back there. When I make this again, I might take out an inch or two from the back piece. In addition to the swayback adjustment, I also did a full bicep adjustment to the sleeves.
If you look below the belt in my photos you will see the reason why this dress has been sitting in my sewing room waiting to be worked on. I did not follow the buttonhole guide from the pattern and instead spaced and marked out my own buttons. There is a slight gap under the waistband as it needed a button in that area. I’ve been meaning to add a hook and eye closure on the inside to fix that, but obviously haven’t done so yet.
I suppose I should also share the story of this dress. My plans were to make this for Christmas and wear it in our Christmas photo. With the frenzy of renovating and moving before the holidays I didn’t sew for about a month. A few days before Christmas I decided to start sewing this and I worked diligently for a few hours at night, finishing it on Christmas Eve. I am not normally a night sewer, so that’s a new thing for me. I shared my progress on Instagram and I really think having my Insta-buds rooting for me helped me finish it in time. I spent holiday time with my family, hosted Christmas and still was able to sew this. It sure was a relief when the festivities were over and I relaxed! Next year, I hope to have my Christmas dress sewn up at least a few weeks prior. But don’t hold to me to that….
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: McCall’s 6696 in green tartan cotton, made by me
- Belt: Macy’s
- Shoes: Aerosoles
It’s a beautiful dress! I totally relate to the sewing procrastination thing. Why do we do that? That pattern looks very versatile. I need to write that one down.
For me, I think it’s because I always envision myself having more time!! The pattern is very versatile. I’d like to either add long sleeves and proper cuffs to it or use one of the other shirt dress patterns that have those features.
Such a great fabric for Christmas. The colours are beautiful on you and your dress looks great on. I was interested to hear about the large amount of fabric in the back. A few reviews of this pattern that I have read have also taken out some extra fabric from there so I will maybe give it a whirl before I cut it out. (I have had this pattern traced and cut out for more than 2 months. Still need to do an FBA though and that is what is putting me off). I love the blossom on the trees behind you and the lovely purple flowers. Are they grape hyacinths? One of my favourites. There is nothing up here yet, not even the daffodils. Brrrrrrr. 🙂 Xx
I don’t mind the extra gathered fabric in the back from the line drawings and pattern photos, but it doesn’t look that way on me, so I will probably take a bit out next time. There’s also the new McCall’s shirtdress pattern which is similar, but doesn’t have the back gathers.
Those are indeed grape hyacinths. They started coming up a couple of weeks ago. The tree is a redbud tree. I look forward to sharing the California poppies with you when they bloom. They get bigger everyday!
Perfect Christmas dress! I’m glad you got it done in time. I don’t know how many items I have sitting in my sewing room that just need one small alteration that I can’t seem to get done, for some reason its just so hard!
I don’t know what it is about alterations or sewing things for other people and why they get waylayed! Selfish sewing, for me, I guess. I have some stuff to mend that’s been sitting in my sewing room for over a year….
Cute dress Tanya. This is such a great pattern isn’t it?
Thanks, Manju! It really is! I love your denim version. I’d love to make a chambray one in the future.
I absolutely love this! Looks beautiful on you. 🙂
Thanks, Andie!!! 🙂
This dress is brilliant — I love the green and you’ve perfectly made it up. Wow! I love it and it fits so well!
Thank you! It’s comfortable to wear, too, so that’s a plus!
I too find that my handmade clothes are way more comfortable than store-bought!
Most definitely!