Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: A Summer Staple – The Flowy Summer Dress

Hello Everyone! Today I’m sharing my latest summer sewing project. I’ve been wanting a pretty flowy summer dress and once I saw this fabric I knew I had the perfect pattern for it.  

When the new summer patterns were released earlier this year, I reviewed them all and made a list of my favorites and hit up JoAnn Fabric during their pattern sale.  One of the patterns I picked up was McCall’s 8215.  This dress is the perfect summer dress because both views are sleeveless and have a flowy panel skirt.  I chose to make view B which has a tank top bodice and the skirt is tea length. Did I mention that the dress has pockets?  I don’t know about you, but a dress with pockets is always a win for me.  The dress also has a small split in the front. 


Initially I cut out the size 16 bodice.  I basted the bodice together and once I tried it on, I decided that I could go down a size so I ended up making a size 14.  For this very reason is why I usually make a muslin of the patterns I make.  I would hate to have made the entire dress just to realize it don’t fit.  Been there, done that.  Once I decided the bodice fit how I like it, I cut out the skirt the same size.

My favorite way to finish the hem on a knit dress or skirt is by using HeatnBond Soft Stretch Ultra Iron-On Adhesive. I swear by this stuff!  Here are the steps I take each and every time.

1. Sew a basting stitch around the hem using the seam allowance you want to your hem to be.

2. Turnover and press the seam allowance using the basting stitch as your guide. Doing so saves you having to measure all round your skirt.

3. You can remove the basting stitch at this point.

4. Press the tape in place and remove the paper and adhesive will now be on your garment.

5. Fold over your hem on the adhesive and press.

I would suggest you do this in sections and also make sure it’s Soft Stretch HeatnBond because there is also regular HeatnBond for wovens and you don’t want to use that on a knit because it does not stretch and your hem will not look good. Been there, done that too. 






The fabric I selected to use for my flowy summer dress is this Dark Magenta Rayon/Lycra Jersey Knit. Unfortunately, this color is sold out, but there are other beautiful colors left.  I always find that every time I receive fabric from Fabric Mart, the fabric is always more beautiful in person, then it is appears to be online.  This was no exception.  This fabric is so soft and the drape is amazing. This fabric is a 4 way stretch which is probably why I had to go down a size.  McCall’s 8215 calls for a 2 way stretch. Another thing I love about this fabric is that it is not too thin and is perfect for this pattern.

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed my dress as much as I do. If you are looking for a great summer staple, then give McCall’s 8215 a try.  Also search for Rayon/Lycra Jersey Knit on the Fabric Mart site or select Jersey Knit from the Fabrics section and you can see all the other colors available. 

Until Next time!

JOHANNA @soveryjo




Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following category: JERSEY KNITS.

Comments

  1. Beautiful! This fits you perfectly, hangs beautifully, and the perfect construction is enviable! You nailed it! Love the shoes and you look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the twirl! The color and drape is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very pretty dress.. Love the color

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful dress! Thank you for the tip on heming knit dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your dress and you look so pretty in it. And your method of hemming is something I will have to try. Just getting back into garment sewing and haven’t sewn much with knits.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous! Beautifully sewn and that color looks great on you!

    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: Celebrating warm weather with Spring sewing!

Hi sewing friends! I don’t know about you but boy, was winter cold and dreary this year! The weather here in the Philadelphia area has been slowly improving, but Spring sure did take her sweet old time to arrive. So by April, I was definitely in the headspace of needing to sew up things that were either bright and cheery or meant for the warmer weather I am very much craving right now. I recently purchased a few SewBexx Patterns so I took them on a test run to create some Spring makes. First on my list was to make a top using this absolutely gorgeous ITY fabric I picked up last year. I had two yards which was enough for a long sleeve shirt. I chose the Olivia top, which is oversized with a drop shoulder, has multiple lengths and a split hem. I think the pattern is intended for heavier fabrics but I was envisioning how lovely this top would look with the drape of ITY knit fabric, and it did not disappoint. It came together for me quickly and was a straight forward sew…and I love the br...

Made By A Fabricista | Chasing Time: My White Rabbit-Inspired Look for Atlanta Frocktails

For this year’s Atlanta Frocktails, I found myself captivated by a character who’s been quietly tugging at my imagination for years—the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. There’s something so relatable about his frantic energy, always checking the time, always running late. While he’s worried about being on time, I’m usually calculating how late I can be and still technically arrive on time. Spoiler: I’m often wrong. It’s a cycle of procrastination and anxiety that I know all too well. So when I imagined my look for Frocktails, I thought—why not honor the White Rabbit? After all, time has been chasing me too. But this look isn’t just about Wonderland whimsy. It’s also deeply inspired by this year’s Met Gala theme, Tailored for You, which includes a focus on Black Dandyism—a celebration of Black elegance, intellect, and expressive style. I’ve been obsessed with this theme since it was announced. As a Black creative, I find it powerful and moving to see style used as a way to reclaim...

Made By A Fabricista: Getting into the Spirit of Summer

I'm not gonna lie y'all, I had a completely different project I wanted to do, but that's gonna take more time, and I wanted something cute, comfy and fun to wear for my birthday on the 19th. When I saw this goldenrod & off white linen jacquard , I thought it looked a bit like the design on a Koroks body, especially Makar from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! I started with the bodice from the free Elderberry dress pattern from Mood, but deviated for the skirt, it felt a little plain of a design, and I had scraps of a Korok fabric that I knew would be a nice accent with some cut out pockets. I've made these pockets once before, deciding the cut out was based on aligning with the seam on the bodice for how far in, and as for how low depended on where I wanted the pouch of the pocket to start. From there I cut the visible part of the pocket, making sure to match the curve of the waist and following the line of the side seams of the skirt, as well as cutting a facing to...