I just love McCall’s 6163 wrap dress pattern for knits (although the pattern envelope is doing it no justice). It’s a close
fitting, above mid-knee length dress, with a mock wrap front, gathered at left
side, collar, collar band, raglan sleeves, side zipper, sash and stitched hems.
There are three sleeve variations offered…elbow length sleeves with ruching, short
sleeves and long gathered sleeves with cuff.
I made view A (size 12) with the elbow length sleeves with
ruching. I omitted the zipper because it was totally unnecessary in a knit
dress. This jersey was purchased online from The Remnant Warehouse
Lessons Learned
- Don’t need to hem inside edges that will never be seen
- The interfaced side of the collar will be the one that
shows.
- Good fit in shoulders and neck, but too snug around the
middle.
- The collar makes this dress look dated (according to my
loved ones)
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| Close up of bodice and sash. |
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| Collar and collar band |
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| Left side gathers |
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| Sleeve ruching |
The pattern tells you to make a casing for the elastic in the seam allowance. I just sewed some clear elastic directly onto the seam allowance to make the ruching.
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| Inside details. After sewing the seams on my machine, I then finished them off on the overlocker. |
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| The collar band was finished off with some hand stitching. |
I really liked this dress, so I thought I would give it
another try, with a few modifications.
First, I altered the pattern by removing the collar and redrawing the neckline. Then I
cut a size 12 in the shoulders and sleeves and increased to a size 14 below the
armscyes, to the hem. I finished off the neckline with a knit binding, instead
of the collar. For the binding, I followed this tutorial from Art Attack This certainly removed a lot of sewing time. I purchased this
jersey from The Remnant Warehouse as well.
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| New neckline with binding (no collar) |
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| Back view. |
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| Side View with sleeve ruching |
I am quite pleased with my second attempt at this wrap
dress. I have worn it several times already. The modified neckline has made
this pattern more fashionable and the tribal print fabric is right on trend at
the moment. I love the raglan sleeves, so much easier than setting in sleeves. I would like to try the short sleeve version for the summer.
Well, that a wrap for now (sorry, I couldn’t resist)
Happy Sewing
I love both version. You've chosen two stunning fabrics for two stunning dresses.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Velosewer. It's lovely to get some positive feedback.
DeleteThose dresses both look amazing on you! Very flattering and I love the prints you chose. And great idea to leave off the collar, it gives it a totally different look and I'm not sure I would have thought of it! I'm surprised they didn't include it as an option in the pattern to begin with. I have this pattern in my stash, I'll have to remember that!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nikki for your lovely comments. I only removed the collar for the second one because my critics at home said the collar made it look old fashioned. (I didn't really mind it myself) but I am very happy with my collarless version and it was much easier to make.
DeleteI love both of these too! They are very flattering on you. I have this pattern but I'm not sure I can pull this look off. I'm going to have to think about that collar....do you think it definitely needs to be left off?
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela. I think wrap dresses suit most women and I don't think the collar needs to be left off. I like it with or without the collar. So you just go with the one that appeals to you.
DeleteTwo very pretty dresses. Well done and they look great on you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Cennetta. I greatly admire your work too.
DeleteLOVE these two gorgeous dresses! You look stunning and they fit perfectly! :) Though I don't think that the collar makes your dress look "dated", I will say, I wish this pattern came with a no-collar option. I'm going to have to try this pattern again and modify the neckline to a no-collar version.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rikki. It is a good pattern and it is quite easy to redo the neckline. It certainly makes it a quicker and easier dress to sew without the collar. I loved your version too. Can't wait to see your collarless version.
DeleteI like both dresses but definitely think it looks nicer without the collar. My mum came up behind me and saw your pictures and now she wants me to make one for her! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Zoe and thanks to your Mum too. Hope you have similar success with this dress for your Mum.
DeleteI like both versions as well. It's a shame it's now OOP, I overlooked initially it due to the woeful version on the pattern! All the reviewed versions have made me re-evaluate. Thank you for showing the inside details, your finishing of seams looks very professional.
ReplyDeleteCeejay
Thanks Ceejay. I do agree with you about the photo on the pattern envelope...what were they thinking? It always pays to look at the line drawings.
Deleteoohhhh - very pretty! I love both versions, but then, I'm not terribly on trend ;) I'll keep my eye out for the pattern (OOP, boo!) - I adore the gathering at the side seams and the raglan sleeves.
ReplyDeleteThanks MaciNic. I do like this pattern...just got to lose a few kilos so I can wear them again.
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