Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: McCall's 7246 Fit-Along Kit



I was very interested in this pattern when it was released but didn't buy it because I have a ton of wrap dress patterns (yeah, yeah, that's not a good reason!). It still amazes me, as someone not versed in pattern drafting, how patterns can be so similar yet so different.

This is a true wrap dress --which I love-- and has release pleats at the waist instead of darts. This definitely intrigued me. I also liked the fact that overall it's quite simple, yet it has enough detail to make it stand out.

I chose this kit because of the fabric! The dress itself is a great transition piece and I think the fabric lends to that too. The weight, color/print and the fact that it's a knit really allows it to be worn year-round.


Can I just say that I really love this dress?! If you follow me, you know how much I praise the wrap/surplice silhouette. It's my favorite. I also love the tulip-y wrap and slight hi-low hem. 

While I was constructing the dress, I worried the midi-length would look a bit matronly on me. But I think the wrap front helps keep it from going that way. Along with wearing heels!

I cut a size 14 which has a finished bust, waist and hip that results in 1/2 to 1" of negative ease for me. If I were making it in a non-stretch woven, I would use a 14 bodice, do a 1" FBA, and cut a 16 for the skirt. 

Other adjustments made were typical for me with BMV patterns. I did a 1/2" narrow shoulder adjustment and 3/4" swayback adjustment. (If it were a woven, I would have also done a 1" full bicep adjustment). I love how the Palmer Pletsch patterns have all the adjustment lines on the pattern. Makes life so much easier!!

The only other adjustment I would make if I were to sew this one again, is to take a 3/8" tuck out of the front. I have a short torso and I have just a little extra fabric between shoulder and bust.


I actually LOVE it tied in back much more than bringing the ties around front! But they are long enough to wrap all the way around, which is a refreshing change from many wrap/mock wraps.

Now, the pattern is intended for a woven so it comes with facings and such. In many ways when sewing with ponte, I generally use it as if it were a woven -- With the exception of facings. I will eliminate them whenever possible.

Instead, I did the longest hem in history; choosing not to serge or do a double turned hem. I wanted the hem to stay very light.



Because I didn't use facings, I had to handle the tie attachment differently. I basted it in place and caught it when hemming the front. I then topstiched the front to the belt. It's a tiny bit messy on the inside! I should have serged the end of the belt. Ah well. It's hidden! :)


Can we just talk about that intersection!!?!?! #winning

I constructed the dress on the serger, but serged the right side of the bodice individually, and stitched the seam by machine, leaving it open as indicated. I then stitched around the opening. It's very neat and secure. 

The sleeve is cuffed. For some reason these types of sleeve details never make sense to me when reading the directions. I never 'get it' until I'm actually constructing the sleeve. 

Let me tell you, this fabric was amazing to work with! I love that it's double sided. It's like a fun secret that only you are in on! It washed, sewed and pressed well. And it's a really lovely navy and evergreen -- making it so versatile -- and it's soft.

I can definitely see myself making another version of this in a knit and would love to make the long sleeved view with the lovely sleeve facings in a woven this fall. I think you'll see this pattern grace my blog again in the near future, for sure.


Nakisha

Comments

  1. That length is so elegant. You look so lovely in this. :-) I have this pattern, and now want to make it up. One thing at a time, though. I think I'll put it off till fall for now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It turned out really well and suits you perfectly. I wish I could wear wrap dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooh, I love the length--it's perfect for the wrap style.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is very, very pretty and flattering on your figure! I really like this much better than the pattern envelope cover!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nakisha, I love, love , love it! It looks great on you! I purchased one of these kits as well and am going to work on fitting the tissue when DD1 is here for the weekend. I love yours!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nakisha, I love, love , love it! It looks great on you! I purchased one of these kits as well and am going to work on fitting the tissue when DD1 is here for the weekend. I love yours!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Workwear Ready

I'm excited for my first post in 2023! At the beginning of the year, I recently went back to working in person so now I am looking to make and wear pieces that I can wear to work.  The goal is to be functional but also very fashionable since I am a fashion design professor. I saw this blue denim fabric and knew I wanted to make some pants; I just wasn’t sure what kind.  I decided to make Mimi G x Simplicity S8985 View B pants.  I liked the oversized flare look, I just made one slight modification to them by adding a pintuck along the front.  This was easy to add since the waistline was called to be slightly gathered to fit.  The fabric had a hand closer to linen and was very lightweight which was great and very satisfying to sew.  I lengthened the pants by 3” and finished with a 2” hem. The top I used Simplicity S9707.  It’s an oversized partial button down top.  I decided to create a high low hem by combining two different views.   I loved the print of the fabric but honestly as s

Made By A Fabricista: Spring into 2023 with Liberty of London!

Hi Fabricista Fans! I'm excited to be back with my first FabricMart project of 2023 and my second with Liberty of London Tana Lawn ! This fabric is so luxurious and wonderful to work with, I just can't pass it up whenever I see it come on sale! With such a high thread count, Liberty of London doesn't easily crush, and although it's 100% cotton, it's so flowy that it's perfect for billowy dresses, blouses, and skirts. With my $50 budget this month, I purchased 2 yards of Tana Lawn and made a Peony Patterns Rosemary Dress with inseam pockets for my youngest daughter. This is a gorgeous button down dress with long and short puff sleeve options. After cutting it out, I realized I had plenty leftover for a skirt for my eldest, so I whipped up the FREE Peony Patterns Apple Berry Skirt for her. Since she needed a top to go with it, I raided my stash for some additional fabric, and found a lovely eggshell Fabric Mart Rayon Lycra hidden away. (Don't worry, I still ha

Made By A Fabricista: A Denim Set for Spring

Happy Friday All! I am ecstatic to share my latest make that I had on my to make list for a while.  My goal for the month of February was to sew a mini vacation capsule for a trip, but unfortunately I did not get a chance to. I was able to make 3 of the 6 pieces including this denim set. When this beautiful denim fabric arrived, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I have been wanting to recreate a linen look I made a few years ago using the Montoya coat pattern with a few adjustments.  I created VIEW A without the peplum and lengthened it by 6 inches. Instead of sewing the tie inside the seam of the top like I did here, I wanted to make it separate so that it looks like a jumpsuit. (Read the blogpost here ). Moreover, my body has changed and I needed to cut a size larger so that I can rock it as an open vest or a top tucked in. I love the way it turned out but wish I had extended it by 8 inches instead of 6. For the pants, I went to my tried and true simplicity 8605 pants pattern and