Ok. Let’s have a go at this blogging thing again!
I’ve been sewing quite a bit and I’m excited to say that I have sewing a lot of knits! I haven’t always been a fan but I’m gaining confidence and getting better at using my Janome Coverstitch. It’s about time!!!
McCalls 7465 has been in my stash since it came out and people….. I AM IN LOVE. It was super quick to make and when I can get a cute dress out of 1.3 meters of fabric!! Well….. you know that I’m going to do bust some stash with this one.
I found this knit at Fabricville for $4.99 a meter and though the content is “unknown”, my guess is that it has some rayon in it. It’s nice and spongy… and the colors…well. Amazing.
The print has a wavy stripe that I had to think about before I cut out. I decided to run the stripes vertically on the skirt and horizontally on the bodice…and I like how it turned out.
For this version, I followed the pattern exactly. I made View C with the longer length. It went together nicely and I like the band on the neck. It has an elastic inserted into the seam allowance of the waist seam. Again…easy peasy.
My next version, I love. Obviously….. because it’s blue and white and it’s striped! All my favorite things.
Though I like the band on the neck line, I thought that I would try a different neckline with this heavier fabric. It is a heavier polyester textured knit. I was concerned that this knit would be kind of bulky so I used the neckline of Simplicity 1690 as a template to draft a new one. The result is a slightly higher and wider…almost, boat neck shape. I think I may make it even higher and wider next time.
I simply turned and hemmed the neckline using my coverstitch. Making this small change to the neckline made this dress even quicker to make!! Bonus!
So for me, I think that the key to this pattern is that the weight of the knit I choose will determine which neckline I will go with. For lighter knits, I like the band, and for heavier weights, I like my hacked version.
This will be a TNT pattern in my repertoire. I’ll be scouting the remnant bins for small pieces to make this dress and yet… I could also fork over a bit extra for a nicer fabric since so little is needed.
Can you tell that I love this pattern? I want to make so many of them! Do you have a favorite pattern that you just make over and over and over again!?
Love. Love. Love!!! And just added this to my wish list.
Both views are GORGEOUS and the first one is my favorite.
Awww thanks!!!!
I love the placement of the fabric pattern on the black and white floral.
Thanks Linda! Sometimes print placement can go kinda wrong 😉 if you know what I mean.
I love blue and white stripes too! You look so good in these dresses, Margo! I have to check out this pattern as soon as I get my sewing mojo back. I didn’t like my Janomr coverstitcher for a long time either, but then found a thread on PR that showed me how to adjust my tensions. So helpful.
This is the kind of pattern that just may help with the sewing mojo….super quick and easy..but satisfying. Funny how we all go through funks with sewing. I took the Craftsy course and I think it just motivated me to keep trying more than anything. Thanks Justine!
I love it, the dresses turned out very chique!
Thank you Nicole!!
Wonderful, The fit, the prints, the execution. The dresses look great on you!
Sweet of you to say! Thanks Judy!
This seems to be YOUR pattern!!! You look adorable in both versions!!
Really pretty:o)
xx, Kirsten
Lol! I think it could be everyone pattern. I was just thinking that I may use the skirt and bodice pieces to make separates. Just lengthen the bodice for an easy tee and add an wide elastic to the top of the skirt for a sleek pencil skirt. I’m going to recommend this one to all beginners. Thank you Kirsten!!
You chose two great prints to make this dress and it’s lovely on you! Did you think about making it as a maxidress? That will look fabulous also.
Oooo! More ideas! A maxi dress would be awesome! Thanks Carolyn 🙂
That fabric on your first one is gorgeous! Love everything about your dress – the fit and style is perfect. I’ve noticed lately that McCall’s really batting 1000 – I never bought many of their patterns but when the M7542 was released I ordered it immediately and lo and behold so did MANY others! I even know the number of it off by heart I love it so much 🙂
Thank you Kathleen! I agree, McCalls pattern are winning for sure!
Oooooh both of these are gorgeousness! Love quick and simply chic patterns.
Thanks Abbey!
I love these dresses! So elegant and easy! I especially love the colors on the first one!
I find that I like to make the Inari Dress by Named Patterns a lot, although I haven’t tried it in a knit yet.
I haven’t tried the Inari Dress yet. I’ll have to give it another look. Thanks Regan!!
Gorgeous dresses, I don’t blame you in the slightest for wanting to make many more! I like to make a few versions of patterns I love, different fabrics, mixing things up a bit. Heck, if it works, it works!
Exactly Anne! It’s great to have a couple of patterns that I can go to when I’m in a sewing funk…I know that they will work and be a quick satisfying make. Thanks!
These are simple but stylish dresses, I love them! Even though they look so smart, I’m guessing they are super comfy to wear 🙂
Oh so comfy to wear!! Major bonus!!
i really love both dresses, they have fitted so well on the person wearing them, wah! could you please include the patterns next time, i would love to try and make the same dresses for myself.
Such good print placement on that first one! I love the effect of the different orientations. Both dresses look great on you!
Thanks Gillian!!
Two more winners, Margo! Love the fabrics and how great this pattern looks on you. Wondering did you line the first dress?
I didn’t line it Almeda, I found that with the print, I didn’t need to. Thanks!
I love both dresses – GORGEOUS!
Thank you Tomasa!
Totally my type of knit dress! Love it! Will need to add it to my stash.
I would rock this pattern Judith! Can’t wait to see yours. 🙂
Looking, amazing as usual!
I really need to get on the TNT bandwagon and find something and stick to it. Really helps the sewjo to have a number of sure wins than so-so experiments
Agreed Tasha! I like having a few patterns that I know will work without frustration. Thanks!
Very nice makes!
Thank you Faye! 🙂
Oh my goodness, I loooove these Margo!! You are such a fashion plate:) I have this pattern too but I haven’t used it yet! Both look fantastic on you but I think I like the blue & white the best. I just picked up a multicoloured knit from Fabricville that I think I may use for this pattern. Its a bit heavier weight, not sure how to describe it but I think it would look cute in this pattern! What kind of fabric do you prefer?
Thank you Rikki! I like the heavier weight, this blue and white stripe one is kind of like a Liverpool knit, I think it works really well.Can’t wait to see yours!
They are both LOVELY!
I love both of these dresses, they are just my style! Midi and full of prints!
Sammy || Bargainbaglady.com Xx
Thanks Sammy!
Sometimes it’s the simple patterns that turn out the best. Love both these dresses. A great pattern to showcase a special fabric.
I agree Jean! Thanks!
I came here via Dressmaking Debacles. Yeah, girl, your dresses are the bomb.com: simple and stylish. Very nice!
Thanks so much Lynn!!!
Beautiful I’m getting ready to cut this out this evening
It’s just coming into summer here in Queensland, Australia. I love the look of theses two dresses, and particularly knits. Time to get some sewing groove happening,
Ps these really suit you!