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Not Finished, but I Wore It Anyway

Do you ever get so close to finishing a garment, but you don't finish it....and then you wear it anyway?

Yeah, I've done that. Twice. With the same garment.

{McCalls 6696 and By Hand London Victoria Blazer} Front

I made this McCalls 6696 shirt dress back in late 2014. I admittedly totally blatantly copied Mary of Idle Fancy. I saw her version and immediately bought the fabric. No shame. None at all. It looks amazing on her. I wanted to have it. And now I do have it.

I wanted to make the dress with sleeves, but I didn't have enough time to modify the sleeves. I was scrambling to get the dress done in time to wear to a friend's baby's baptism, so I just threw on a cardigan. "I'll work out the sleeves later", I said to myself. That was back in December.

{McCalls 6696 and By Hand London Victoria Blazer} Back

Then earlier this week I discovered all of my work pants were too wrinkly for me to feel comfortable wearing. I'm not above wearing slightly wrinkled pants to work since I sit all day, but even I have my limits. I was too lazy to iron any of them and then I actually thought to myself, "I really just want to throw on a dress", which happens like one time a year so I couldn't pass up the moment.

{McCalls 6696} Closeup of Front

So I threw on the unfinished chambray polka dot dress and topped it with my By Hand London Victoria Blazer {still unblogged, which is unfortunate because I wear it all the time}. After having an unusually hot March, we've been blessed so far {*knock on wood*} with a very comfortable, even dare I say cool summer so I didn't have any need or desire to take off the blazer while at work or during my lunchtime walk. The blazer lining kinda clashes with the dress, but idgaf.



I took these photos when I got home.  I was having some fun with the continuous burst of 10 photos, which I think make a pretty good gif. I should really leave this dress sleeveless and finish the armholes  so I could one day wear it without hiding my extreme laziness. I've made this pattern twice now (the first time was for the Crazy Cat Lady Sewing 'challenge') and I'm not sure I'll make it again.

{McCalls 6696} Side View

What's your honest opinion of McCalls 6696? I'm surprised it's gotten so much love in the sewing community because I do not love it. The full skirt version is so full that I feel a little cheesy wearing it. The gathers in the back are so extreme that I look like I'm hiding something back there. The collar feels too big. The construction instructions could use a lot of refinement. The pockets are too narrow. .....idk, this pattern just isn't for me. I'm ready to move onto another shirtdress pattern. Perhaps Butterick 6090? Has anyone made that one yet?
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Comments

  1. Miss Crayola CreepyJuly 10, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    I've never made the pattern, but it looks cute on you! And I am loving that fabric too!

    The weather up here has been awesome too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kaoru MarieJuly 11, 2015 at 2:54 PM

      Thanks, Erin! The fabric was a dream to work with. I think it's a Robert Kauffman chambray so the quality is really nice. I understand why so many people like using it.

      I really hope the weather stays this great throughout summer. Usually it starts warming up more in July, but so far so good!

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 13, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    Oh, man. I've had this pattern in my queue for a while and am just gearing up to starting it. I'm really hoping I like it, because I'd love to have a few shirt dresses in my closet. I have a pile of vintage shirt dress patterns that I could use instead.... hmmm. I'm second guessing. :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kaoru MarieJuly 15, 2015 at 7:35 PM

      I'd still recommend making it, especially if you've had it in your queue for so long. A lot of people seem to really like it, but unfortunately I did not. Also, be prepared for it to take some time, as it's definitely not a quick project. There are just so many pieces plus interfacing, but the end result is a nicely constructed garment. Hope it turns out well for you!

      Delete

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