Dressed to Chill - Dress #1 McCall's 6744

Last summer I made lots of skirts and this summer I think it's going to be dresses.  I've been inspired by the new dress patterns, fabrics I have in my stash and a couple of new ones that have made their way into my sewing room.  Dresses are perfect in the summer because I don't have to match a top and bottom and can just throw it on without thinking....something I'm really good at.

This is McCall's 6744 View C.  It's easy to make and even easier to wear.  I made it out of a cotton challis I bought a few years ago at Mood in New York.  I'd never seen a cotton challis and it's been almost too precious to cut into (you fabricaholics know what I mean) but I'm so glad I did. 

I made 2 changes to the pattern:  I added pleats to the shoulder instead of the elastic it calls for and I made a full skirt instead of the split skirt.  I highly recommend this pattern and I can't wait to make it again.

Here's my review on Patternreview.com.

I've got another dress in the works!  I'll share it soon.

Selfish Sewing Break - A Top for Mom

I broke my selfish sewing streak this week by making something for my mom.  She told me a couple of weeks ago she bought an orange pair of sandals and was pretty excited.  As I was browsing the FabricMart Fabrics website, I found this beautiful lightweight, crinkle ikat voile (it's no longer available in orange but you can find the purple colorway here).  It's pretty for summer with orange, coral, cream and purple.

My mom has very narrow shoulders and loves loose tops so I made her a short sleeved peasant top with a flutter sleeve.  I took a raglan t-shirt pattern, added width to the neckline in the front, back and sleeves and added a keyhole front. I made a fold over neckline casing with a drawstring and elastic so she can adjust the neckline however she needs to.  I can't wait to see it on her.....she's so cute.

Dressed to Chill

The weather forecast says we're in for hot weather this week.  102 degrees on Wednesday!  Whoo!  So all I can think about are summer dresses (especially since I have a couple of cotton prints coming via Fed Ex very soon). And here are some styles that look really good....some are brand new patterns and some have been among the ranks for a while:

Simplicity 1354

The sleeveless version is so pretty.

Simplicity 1355

View D takes me back to the 80's....

Simplicity 1356

This dress wouldn't look good on me but I would LOVE to make it!

Simplicity 1418

Ahhh, to have the yellow dress.

Simplicity 1796

View C would be my go to dress on the hottest days.

Vogue 5781

I'd feel like a ballerina in this dress (don't worry I won't dance).

McCall's 6959

I have a cotton voile on the way that would be great.  I'll need to line it.

McCall's 6744

This is currently on my cutting table.

MCall's 6920

Ponte knit?   Yep!

Vogue 8993

In cream cotton lace this would be a Princess Kate dress.

I'm so inspired....I'm off to sew!