Ho Ho Ho - Merry McCalls M6884!

A little pre-holiday festive post today!

Following the success of the bug dress last week - which was a wearable toile of McCalls M6884  I went on to cut my 'real' dress which was to be this years Christmas party outfit.


The adjustments made were exactly the same as the last version - I also used the 'super ponte' from Anglian Fashion Fabrics as it is just such great quality and a real jet black.

In true maker fashion, I finished sewing about 2 hours before we were due to leave for said office party - and so I could only grab some pictures before the cab was arriving! I also forgot to wear the belt in the photos aswell but I did remember it seconds before leaving....



The neckline gaped quite heavily on this version so I had to use 'lingere tape' (tit tape to us commoners) to stick it down a bit and avoid a wardrobe malfunction mid-turkey dinner.

Once again though - I would really recommend this pattern, a quick and satisfying make - with a slightly asymmetric hem to make it interesting. Went for a bit of a vintage vibe with this one - the long sleeves were great for the colder weather.


So whatever you may or may not be celebrating this year - I wish everyone a good break and mini relax this holiday :)

(It's also a mini-farewell from Clyde for the time being with fewer photo bombs until Spring as he heads into hibernation shortly!)



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McCalls M6884 - L'édition des insectes

Let me just start by saying - I LOVE THIS DRESS. It's one of the few makes I'm actually quite proud of, in so far as it fits, and it works, and its a bit weird. And its a bit...French? I have no idea why but just a feeling. (Apologies all French people out there if I have offended your chic-ness).



In addition to my crazy pom-pom fabric purchase at Anglia Fashion Fabrics - I also picked up this really nice jersey. Bug print! (Or 'Crispy Crickets' as they were called) It is not actually that stretchy but the inside is like flannel! Super cosy. I have also recently seen MinervaCrafts selling this in various colourways. Ooooo.



The pattern I'm using here is McCalls M6884 - with View A extended for a midi-length. I was searching high and low for a great wrap dress pattern when a kind soul on the Facebook MCalls Group suggested this one. Perfect!

(It was not without controversy however - when I asked for a v-neck/thigh slit wrap dress, much to my confusion there was much horror from several very conservative folks who basically suggested that I was an inappropriate slut for choosing such a pattern and showing my body - don't you just love the Internet. So much for female solidarity and the right to wear what you want. Therefore if a glimpse of my knee and non-cleavage causes you to gasp I suggest looking away now.)

ANYWAY - back to the pattern. This is an absolute gem as it only consisted of 3 pattern pieces - 4 if you want a belt. I cut and used a size 14 however it did come out a little big. Thanks to the forgiving shape and simple pattern I just pinned out the excess and whizzed up the sides with my overlocker.

The instructions were very easy to follow although I did largely ignore them and just went for it. Next time I would try not to accidentally cut through my notches at the waist as the only tricky bit was getting the two front pieces to lay evenly over each other.


I made the belt however it gets lost a bit in the print, a nice touch none the less.  Despite concerns about how high the split goes, its actually really 'secure' and gives good coverage. I did one minor alteration and that was to stitch the neckline closed so it didn't gape. Only took an afternoon to make so that was very satisfying!


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Here's looking at you... Modified Grainline Lark!

Ahhhh that moment when you stare into your wardrobe for something to wear...and it can stare right back at you.

It all started after I went on a fabric shopping bender at Anglian Fashion Fabrics as part of our Norwich Sewcials group. We had a lovely late night shopping event in the store, with some great demonstrations about sewing with jersey.

Then the graphic print jersey was cracked out and I lost my mind. I was heavily mocked, but come on - pom poms with eyes...what's not hilarious and amazing about that.

How menacing is the blue one!


This could quite easily have been filed under Oona Balloona's infamous 'what were you drinking' category - however after much deliberation over what to actually make with it, I like the result!

It was going to be a skirt, then a t-shirt, then some leggings - but it ended up as a Lark!


The Grainline Studio Lark Tee fast became one of my favourites - it was a basic staple last Chrismas, I've aready butchered it once into a vintage floral dress, and here it is again today having its moment as a lovely boat neck tee dress.


The pattern was modified by raising the neckline and extending the shoulders to form a built in cap sleeve. I exrended the patern down from the hipline and then slashed it where the contrast panel was to go. Its the same backward as forwards.


The black fabric is also  from AFF and was described as 'Super Ponte'. I am in love with it. It was a dream to sew, the black is BLACK and its thick enough to be flatering on the body and hold its shape but thin enough to drape. LOVE IT.


Now what to make with the leftover pom-pom creaures.....

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