Mrs. Hughes

Retro Inspired Sewing

  • About
    • About Tanya
    • Featured
    • Contact Me
  • My Closet
  • Tutorials
You are here: Home / Retro Garments / A 1960’s Rose Border Print Dress [McCall’s 7086]

A 1960’s Rose Border Print Dress [McCall’s 7086]

05/22/2016

rose border 1 label

Good afternoon, friends!

I’m excited to share this dress with you! I’ve already written a review of this pattern on the CSC, but finally had time to share it with you on my blog.  This is a special dress that I made to wear to my niece’s First Holy Communion and one that’s been lingering in my sewing queue for quite a while.

Source: McCall’s Patterns

This is McCall’s 7086, a retro re-issue from 1963 and part of the McCall’s Archive Collection.  I was elated when I found that McCall’s had started this collection of retro patterns and I have all of them in my pattern stash and I’ve been waiting to see more…

rose border 2

I used this beautiful watercolor rose print cotton sateen that I bought a year or more ago from Fabric.com.  I have a bit of an obsession with searching for border prints, and was happy to luck out on finding this one.  It was originally meant for a different pattern, but as time went on, I decided to use it for this one.

dressform collage

This fabric is a double border print with a directional design.  It was easy to figure out the skirt placement, but a little more when it came to the bodice.  I laid my fabric out on my cutting table to figure out how I wanted to use it as well as draping it over my dressform.  In the end, I decided to use the border on the top of the bodice pieces as well, making it appear as if the roses are falling down the dress.  I cut the sash to blend in with that fabric and cut one of the roses for the bow.  I am very happy with the result.

rose border back

The bodice front is two pieces with a center seam and as I didn’t want to interrupt the print, I eliminated the center seam.  I cut the skirt differently as well, making a rectangular gathered skirt which worked well with the border print.  I graded this pattern up a couple of sizes, did a swayback adjustment to the bodice and widened the dolman sleeves.  If I made this again, I’d add more room to them as this isn’t the most comfortable of dresses with those sleeves.

accessory collage

This dress is unlined (not sure why I didn’t take shots of the inside) and had a neckline facing.  I installed an invisible zip to the center back and sewed a narrow hem.  The cummerbund/sash is sewn into the side seams.  It hangs down when the dress is on the hanger and I considered tacking it to the center of the bodice, but decided it needed to move around a bit when you’re wearing it.  The knot/bow is tacked to the center of the sash and I did more hand sewing on the inside to make sure it didn’t show on the outside.

rose border twirl

This dress is one of my favorites.  I’m definitely in love with the colors and the print and it makes me feel very feminine and ladylike.  My only issue would be the sleeves, so I will probably take them apart and add gussets for mobility.   Who knows when I’ll do this as I’m verrrry slow to do alterations to garments that I’ve already made….

rose border 3

Happy Sewing!

  • footer 2 reduxDress:  McCall’s 7086 in rose border print cotton sateen, made by me
  • Shoes:  Aerosoles
  • Earrings:  Modcloth (affiliate link)
Share this:
  • Share via Email
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via Pinterest
  • Share via Ravelry
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Google

Related

Filed Under: Retro Garments

« A Lemony Stripe 1950’s Dress [Vogue 8789]
{review} Heirloom Sewing: Essential Techniques by Susan Stewart »

Comments

  1. Andie W. says

    May 24, 2016 at 8:03 am

    Beautiful fabric and you look beautiful! I bought the pattern as soon as it was released but still haven’t made it up. Your version inspires me, though! 😀

  2. Margaret says

    May 23, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    I love it and your sewing. Thank you for taking the time to share all these wonderful creations with us and give me inspiration and confidence to do it for myself. I have generally kept to trousers and big tops to hide in but made my first frock this summer and discovered just how much I loved wearing it. Thank you.

  3. Mother of Reinvention says

    May 23, 2016 at 11:53 am

    Sorry haven’t been commenting much recently on all your recent sewing. There has honestly not been one thing that I wouldn’t steal from your wardrobe given half a chance (and a plane ticket). Your sewing is on fire! This dress is lovely and you really look ace in it. Gorgeous print and colours. Xx

  4. Beth_SunnyGalStudio says

    May 23, 2016 at 8:13 am

    great use of that border print, it is such pretty fabric and perfect for the vintage pattern. You are a walking springtime!

    • tanyamaile says

      May 23, 2016 at 9:56 am

      Thank you, Beth! It definitely screams spring!

  5. Carlee McTavish says

    May 22, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    So pretty!!!! I used this pattern for my sewing class that I taught through the school board. No one ended up finishing their dresses but I really wish they had now! Stunning 🙂

    • tanyamaile says

      May 23, 2016 at 10:18 am

      Thanks, Carlee! It is a good dress for a beginner. Did you finish one?

      • Carlee McTavish says

        May 23, 2016 at 6:03 pm

        UGH I wish. I always make these grand plans and then hum and haw about said plans and become so indecisive that I stagnate completely. I finished the bodice in a lovely gray plaid and lined it in a red bemberg, and I bought the most luscious ivory faux fur for the skirt portion (it was to be a Christmas/winter dress), but got really indecisive about the skirt. Circle skirt or fitted or tulip? Lined or not? If I made a circle, how would the faux fur be to hem? Would the whole outfit be too over the top? Would the fur create too much bulk at the waist? Ugh, see I am still doing it! Frick!

  6. Kate Bell says

    May 22, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    I love border print and that fabric is truly beautiful. I like your version of the dress – looks nicer than the pictures on the pattern envelope!
    I hope your niece had a lovely first communion. 🙂

    • tanyamaile says

      May 23, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Thanks, Kate! Border prints are so fun to use. It’s crazy that I used to be afraid of them.

      She did have a nice communion and it was wonderful getting together with family afterward.

  7. Caroline Beckenhaupt says

    May 22, 2016 at 5:58 pm

    Beautiful work, Tanya! TY for sharing. Love love the fabric.

    • tanyamaile says

      May 23, 2016 at 10:20 am

      Thank you, Caroline! I really do hope to see more border print fabrics. As everyone loves them, it seems like fabric companies should produce more.

      • Caroline Beckenhaupt says

        May 23, 2016 at 12:13 pm

        Hello again Tanya: I guess I’m a lurker on your blog for a long time. Wanted to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoy the b, as well as that I admire your work! All the best.
        PS W/you on border prints. I’ve been reading a book about Horrockses (sp?). They made lovely bp dresses in the 40s and 50s. Just lovely.

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Blog via Email

My Favorites

  • The 1920’s Egyptian Revival Gown
  • The Embroidered Zig Zag Dress
  • The 1929 Pansy Dress
  • The 1930’s Silk Velvet Dress
  • Sailors are My Weakness [The Dorothy Lara Dress]
  • The California Poppy Blouse
  • The 1950’s Robin Hood Dress
  • The Broderie Anglaise Birthday Dress

Categories

Archives

“Dress Like Your Grandma” Host

Behind the Scenes on Instagram @tanyamaile

Meet my new favorite dress! This is the @gertie18 Meet my new favorite dress! This is the @gertie18 Charm #cinchitdress in cotton linen from @lafinchfabrics . It is my third and favorite version thus far. I did several alterations to this pattern for both fit and preference. This is a size 22/24 in upper cup sizes. I'm not sure if it's because I am on the lower end of the bust sizes at a D, but I raised the bust darts and also raised the shirring line a few inches. I took a wedge out of the back for a swayback adjustment, raised the armholes as they're too low for me and lowered the neckline slit. This version has the banded collar. Other versions I've made have sleeves and no collar. I also lengthened the skirt and am wearing my lightweight petticoat with this. It's difficult to see, but this version has a triangular pocket from a similar vintage 1950's tent dress pattern, which I also used to add more width to the shoulders and create a bit of a sleeve, which I'll be extending out more for my 4th Cinch-It dress. I just had my second dose of the Pfizer vax, so if I feel okay, I'll be cutting out another dress. 😉

This is a great every day dress. It's so comfortable and quick to sew. Without a belt or shirring, it looks a bit like a muu muu, which really isn't a bad thing, but I like some waist definition. My first one I made out of rayon challis, and that's a bit too drapey IMO for this pattern and I prefer this cotton linen and version 2 in chambray, which I'll share when I finish with the appliques and pockets on that. I love this pattern so much that I was going to use one of my treasured vintage Hawaiian fabrics, but didn't have enough yardage to cut this pattern out as that 50's fabric is narrow.  Now that I have this pattern fitted exactly how I want it to, I may just sew 5 or 6. 😉

#charmpatterns #lafinchfabrics #polynesianAF #vintagesewing #plussizesewing #sewistsofinstagram  #sewistsofcolor #curvysewingcollective #sewing #1950ssewing
I made a dress and took photos of it! 💃💃 Thi I made a dress and took photos of it! 💃💃 This is a @gertie18 Charm Lamour Dress and Dorothy Bolero made of cotton linen from @lafinchfabrics. 

#lamourdress #dorothybolero #charmpatterns #1950sfashion #plussizevintage #vintagedressmaking #vintagesewing #lafinchfabrics #curvysewingcollective
My new hussif/housewife sewing wrap that I made in My new hussif/housewife sewing wrap that I made in @the_sewing_room_alameda 's class at the @gbacg virtual costume academy last weekend. I sewed it in class and added the binding today. I love how it uses remnants and that I had everything to make it in my sewing room. It was perfect for this little piece of vintage fabric (printed off grain). I'm planning to make another one to go in my 18th pockets and do some embroidery on it.
I feel incredibly grateful that I've had my first I feel incredibly grateful that I've had my first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. My husband (a teacher) has also had his first dose. It feels like being on the path to some sense of normalcy and being able to breathe again after a tumultuous year. I'm also looking forward to seeing my grandma and my aunt who is in a care home -- both of whom I haven't seen since before this pandemic began.

If you're curious, as I live in California and we are not doing great amongst the states with our vaccine administration (currently ranked 38) and my county has not reached my age group yet. On Monday, I became eligible in my state as high risk due to BMI (fat privilege!). I would have had to jump through hoops and wait to get a shot at the only vaccine option  my county has (I was on the list), and looked for other options. Our state vaccine website (MyTurn) gave me clinics in other counties which I am not eligible for as I'm not a resident or worker. VaccineFinder gave me locations at area pharmacies and I tried to get an appointment and they were all booked. Finally, a friend told me about Walgreens and I went on their website and made an appointment on Tuesday and had my first shot today. 🎉🎉
This lady head brooch by @lipstickandchrome really This lady head brooch by @lipstickandchrome really made my day. Thanks to @wanderingwhipstitch for telling me about it. 💖
It was pretty unbelievable when my husband and I f It was pretty unbelievable when my husband and I found these Pyrex orange butterprint Cinderella bowls at a thrift store the other day. The orange (along with pink) butterprint were promotional pyrex from the late 1950's/early 1960's and very hard to find. I never thought that I'd have some in my collection as I've never seen these for sale in person and there are so many pyrex collectors in my area. These are mint, but missing the 444 (largest size). At $75, these were not a thrift store price, but a steal considering the current going rate. Plus, I love them, which makes them valuable to me. I rearranged this hutch of my favorites so they could be displayed there. 😊

#pyrex #vintagepyrex #pyrexcollector #orangebutterprint #rarepyrex #pyrexcollection
Today, @mommarainbows and I had a Castle Cake-Off. Today, @mommarainbows and I had a Castle Cake-Off. Who wins? We both do. 🤣 I present to you my Count Chocula cake. 🧛‍♂️ It's a chocolate malt cake with malt fudge sauce, chocolate malt frosting, malt crumble and some somewhat charred marshmallows. I used the recipe from the Milk Bar. 

This is the fanciest bundt cake I've ever made as I usually just pour a glaze on with coconut, sprinkles or berries.
Just finished: A crewelwork pillow with California Just finished: A crewelwork pillow with California poppies and bachelor buttons. I made this from a vintage 1970's Bucilla crewel embroidery kit. This is the second Bucilla crewel kit that I've made and I just love using them. I was fortunate to find this one with my state's flower on it and it was a pretty quick embroidery project.

#bucilla #crewelembroidery #crewelwork #embroidery #handembroidery #1970sembroidery #1970sstyle #californiapoppy
Follow on Instagram
Copyright 2012-2021. Tanya Maile Hughes. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or reproduce any content from this site without approval and credit. Sewing graphics by katieshoestring and California poppy graphics by DigitalDesignsAndArt

Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.

  • About
  • My Closet
  • Tutorials

Copyright © 2021 · Adorn theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Adorn Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in