McCall's M8211 for Lidia

 

Late last year, Lidia received an early offer of a Med Sci degree. In case she didn't get Medicine, we started planning and sewing some fun, casual outfits for her. M8211 was just the job.

~From the Website~ 

SEWING RATING (Info):

Easy

Misses' & women's gathered fit & flare dresses. A, B: elasticized necklines with puff & ruffle sleeve. C: halter dress with tiered skirt.

The fabric was purchased by her Dad and he did well! It is a linen/cotton from Spotlight, medium weight with a good drape. We got it on sale too, bonus!

The dress pattern has a lined bodice but I decided to line the skirt too as the fabric was a bit scritchy and life is just better with clean insides.

There was a reasonable amount of hand sewing but I think it was worth it for the finish.

I used a silky cotton lawn for the lining, shortening the skirt lining by two inches, sewing a narrow double hem and then attaching to the side seams with a thread chain.

I cut the size 12 for Lidia but we did have to fit the waist and take it in by a good inch.

The front elastic was too big so we shortened that by an inch. We also found the sleeves fall down and I would consider shortening  the elastic channel in those too, if I sewed again.

We also put a small dart at the top middle of each bodice back piece to take it in a bit.

If you look closely you can just see my signature silver 'E' in the middle of the front bodice.

The result is more fitted than the dress on the model but that is the fit Lidia was after.

In this photo you can see the sleeve is falling down. The elastic could be tighter but as it in inclosed in the lining it is not a quick alteration. I would also prefer the sleeve cuff finished with an elastic casing so it 'puffed' but Liddy preferred the flounce.

Such a pretty dress with a 70's feel.

~My Verdict~

A very straight forward sew, nothing fancy. I liked the lining for the bodice and the directions for that (It actually helped me to construct Tilly's milk maid dress-to be blogged)

Next time I would gather the skirt in one piece rather that three sections. I would also stitch three rows of gathering, the lower row below the 5/8ths seam allowance as I had some issues with the stiffish linen causing tucks.

All in all, a nice enough pattern that will give you a 70's sundress vibe.

~Lidia's Verdict~

This is a really lovely dress!

 It's one that with my last minute degree change, I haven’t had quite the number of planned opportunities to wear. But, that hasn’t stopped me from popping it on a few times and trying different accessories with it to feel pretty and plan for future outings. The colours in the fabric created a lovely pallete to select other materials from too, meaning when I open my Uni wardrobe all the clothes coordinate, if the dress is there. 

Its lovely to wear, the little sleeves make it feel dainty and light, the length is fun but not too short and the fabric is very soft. It does need fake boob bra to fill out nicely, but that’s expected when working with my other proportions. I'm excited to be able to wear this one, and will be styling it with tights and a jacket, to survive the coming cooler weather.

In conclusion, this pattern didn't light my world on fire and I think I have sewed nicer things for Liddy. Hopefully, she will find a use for it next Summer. 

Thank you for reading .... xx Nicole