Hi, guys! Hope you’re all well! I often plan to make multiple versions of patterns that I like, but I rarely get around to it- too many shiny new patterns to distract me from my plans! But I so love my first version of M6553 that as soon as a glimpse of spring appeared here in New York, I got to work on a second version!
I used a Marc Jacobs silk/cotton twill for this dress- fancy, huh? Meredith spotted it on sale at Fashion Fabrics Club for $4/yd, labeled as rayon challis, but her eagle eyes recognized the fabric and knew she’d seen it used for Marc Jacobs pieces! I’d planned to make this pattern in this fabric last summer, but realized that the back skirt piece, cut on the fold, wouldn’t fit on the 42″ selvedge. I wadded the fabric up and shoved it back in my drawer in a fit of rage, where it sat and sat and sat. I just couldn’t envision it as anything other than this dress! I pulled it out again last week and decided to just cut it out on the cross-grain. Victimless crime, right? Cutting it on the cross-grain used up three yards, so this dress only cost me $12! Score!
I cut a size 6 again, which fits just fine since there’s so much ease. This time around I omitted both the self-belt and the pockets, so I was able to French seam it. It’s so nice and clean on the inside! The only problem is that, being a silk twill, it frays like the dickens, so even though I trimmed the seams right before sewing them the second time, I still have little bits of fraying edges poking out from the French seams. So annoying! I suppose I could re-sew the seams at a slightly larger seam allowance, but I just can’t be bothered at the moment. The back yoke closes with a button and thread loop, which isn’t my favorite, but I covered a button, so at least it looks nice. I made no attempt at all to try to match up the print- just didn’t feel like it.
I know this dress isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I really like it. The print is very ’90’s and evokes weird, fuzzy memories of my childhood (maybe because it looks like it belongs on a Trapper-Keeper?). Man Friend, of course, hates it (“Can I get one of those boxes you use to look at eclipses before you put this on?”). But it’s just so happy and bright, especially paired with this swingy silhouette. Now I just need the weather to warm up enough that I can run around town in this dress!
Have you been up to any happy sewing lately? What’s on your sewing table right now?
Can you tell I live in a Greek & Cypriot neighborhood? Anybody hungry for some halloumi?
Ginger Makes... 
I love love love this pattern in this fabric! Perfect match and so cute!
LikeLike
Thanks, Katie! 🙂
LikeLike
Omg I love that dress. It looks like it will be sooo comfortable this summer. I’m glad you left off the belt; I really like it all nice and loose!
Man Friend’s comments never cease to make me laugh. WHY isn’t he a judge for the fat quarter challenge?! I can just imagine the hilarity that would ensue.
LikeLike
He’s out of control! He had a whole routine he was doing while he was taking photos- his impression of why girls like this kind of dress (“I’m a girl! I’m soooooooo comfy! I’m soooooooooo fun!”). Such a brat!
LikeLike
I like the print even better on the crossgrain! It looks so cool, swirling around a floaty dress. I still need to try out this pattern!
LikeLike
Thanks, Morgan! You really need to try it! I bet you would love this- plus, it has a yoke, and you could probably even change the back pleat to gathers! 😉
LikeLike
Your dress and photos bring summer to my cold and cloudy day! This fabric looks like candy )))
LikeLike
Thanks, Inna! Hope you’ve got some sunshine headed your direction!
LikeLike
I think this dress is just perfect. Having been lucky enough to meet you when you were wearing version 1 I can see it is so perfectly you. I just love it! The print is amazing, just awesome 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Liz! That feels like so long ago now- hope we can see each other again someday! 🙂
LikeLike
Aaah a trapper keeper!! Yes I believe I had one similar to this print and it also had butterflies on it. As a matter of fact I still have it! hoarder much?! I really loved your first version of the dress and I like this one even more. That style is so you!
LikeLike
That’s so awesome! You should take it to work with you and let everyone be suuuuuper jealous. I wish I still had mine… as well as all my Lisa Frank stationery!
LikeLike
It looks awesome, not not at all 90s and weird. I love when you can feel really pulled together but be super comfy at the same time.
I started a Darling Ranges dress (a Megan Nielsen pattern) yesterday afternoon. I made 3 muslins for the bodice before I started so I hope it turns out!
LikeLike
Ooh, good luck! I’ve heard that bodice is trying, but it’s such a cute dress that it will totally be worth it to sort out the fit!
LikeLike
Cutting on the crossgrain is totally cool, dude. Break those rules!
LikeLike
Rules are meant to be broken, right?
LikeLike
What a gorgeous dress. The color is fab on you!
LikeLike
Thanks, Melizza! I used to hate how I looked in orange, but after having an inside job last summer, I’m so pale that it seems to agree with me now! Hahaha!
LikeLike
So cute and breezy! I’m glad you were able to make it work with this fabric!
LikeLike
Me too! Sometimes you just can’t shake an idea, you know?
LikeLike
thank you for the 1.pattern 2.fabric site 3.empty wallet. enabler.
LikeLike
Always here to help! 😉
LikeLike
I love this. It’s really, really cool. Plus. I think you should set up a separate twitter feed for Man Friend’s excellent commentary on your sewing. It would be a sleeper hit like Shit My Dad Says!
LikeLike
OMG, I’m so in! You should’ve seen his running commentary on this dress- he had a whole dance he was doing (“I’m a girl! I’m soooooooo comfy! I’m sooooooooooo fun!”). Brat!
LikeLike
MARRY ME. Man friend just don’t get it.
LikeLike
I accept your proposal! I’m going to just go ahead and move in, preferably straight into your closet. You don’t mind if I sleep on your silks, right?
LikeLike
ok, im really going to make this pattern this year. its so awesome and modern while still easy to wear. i just need the time! yours looks beautiful.
LikeLike
Do it!!! I know you’re mega-busy, but this is a pretty quick sew (no zipper!)! You would look AWESOME in this dress!
LikeLike
I FREQUENTLY find designer fabrics on FFC website. I’m sure they’re defect bolts or something, but I don’t care. I have a cut of Marc Jacobs eyelet I’ve been hoarding. And, very recently, I found a raincoat fabric that is selling on the Brittex website for $40 a yard for something silly like $5 a yard. I think you look gorgeous in this dress. I picture it with some funky sunglasses! Hopefully, it warms soon so you can take it out for a spin.
LikeLike
It’s totally your fault that I’m scrolling through their entire site looking for deals!!! 😀
LikeLike
I think the fabric is pretty fantastic. A pair of summer heels would make this dress into a smokin’ party dress!
LikeLike
I was *just* wishing I had a pair of hot pink heels to wear with this! I’m going to take this as confirmation that I need ’em! 😉
LikeLike
I like it a lot. Great fabric and I like all the seam lines. I would wear it shorter with tights or as it is with a belt but I would definitely wear it.
LikeLike
I’m thinking about making a cropped version that’s waist-length in the front, curving down to hip-length in the back. Wouldn’t that be cute with tights?! I could totally see you rocking this dress, btw!
LikeLike
it’s like summer stealth pajamas – comfy and airy and makes you smile 🙂
LikeLike
Yes! Secret pajamas strike again!!! That reminds me- I need to pick out some fabric for pajamas!!!
LikeLike
I love this so much, the colours, the shape, the swing of the dress and the idea of Haloumi by the gallon is pretty much swoon worthy.
LikeLike
Teeheehee! Bring on the halloumi!!!
LikeLike
Oh my this is beautiful. The fabric, shape, shoes EVERYTHING!
LikeLike
Sophie, you should try this pattern! Want me to track down a cheap copy for you? I’m saving my pennies for another pair of these shoes, too- I love them SO MUCH!
LikeLike
Hi Ginger, It’s so nice to see this made up in a print. You look great. This pattern is a favorite of my daughter.
LikeLike
Ooh, I just found the version you made for your daughter- it’s gorgeous! She’s so pretty in pink! 🙂
LikeLike
Yum yum! I LOVE halloumi! I also really love your dress! It is so happy and that fabric is beautiful! It looks just the ticket to wear in super warm weather so I’m sure you’ll get lots of wear out of it very soon (I am trying to psychically send you some of our humid tropical sun right now!)
LikeLike
Thanks for the warm wishes! It’s cold and pouring down rain today, yuck! I’m imagining some tropical sun right now! 🙂
LikeLike
Loose and bright, two of my favorites in one!
LikeLike
Me too! 🙂
LikeLike
Silk cotton is the BOMB!! Well done on scoring it for so cheap! I had to laugh because I never would have thought of the print as being ’90’s until you said it belonged on a trapper keeper and then the lightbulb clicked and that’s all I can see now – HAHA! 🙂 I think it’s hilarious that Man Friend doesn’t like it – how can he not? It’s so fun! Absolutely ADORE that last picture!!
LikeLike
He’s so silly! 🙂 I guess ’90’s fashion is coming back, so maybe we’ll see Trapper-Keepers come back, hahaha!
LikeLike
Gorgeous! I love the yoke at the back & button detail. The fabric is awesome too.
LikeLike
Thank you so much! 🙂
LikeLike
I love this dress on you! It’s such a great pattern and your fabric choice is spot on – I hadn’t thought about using silk for this but it works really well. Might have to give it a go myself! Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLike
I hope you try it! It’s a really fun pattern to make!
LikeLike
mmm halloumi!
That silk is gorgeous!! You look happy as a kitten in these pics. I hadn’t heard of this pattern, but I don’t stalk the mccalls new releases as often as I should do.
LikeLike
Just gorgeous! Love the print too
LikeLike
Thank you so very much!
LikeLike
I think this is the ultimate comfy summer dress.
LikeLike
For a moment I thought it was quilted. I was like: she quilted silk!!!!???
Looks great!
LikeLike
Argh, I meant to comment on your other post! I really like this dress also, looks comfy!
LikeLike
Pingback: A dress in blue noil | crab & bee
Pingback: Me-Made-May 2014 Round-Up! | Ginger Makes...
Pingback: Top 5 of 2014: Hits + Misses! « Ginger Makes…