Hi there, friends! Hope that you are all well and that you had wonderful Hanukkah and/or Christmas celebrations, if you celebrate!
OK, so it’s been something like 10 weeks since I’ve last posted… oops! I barely even remember how to blog anymore! But it kind of goes with the theme of this dress, which I’ve planned to sew for ages but only just got around to actually making!
Do you like my grandma shoes? I seriously need to up my shoe game!
The pattern is McCall’s M6886, a pull-on knit dress. I first spotted this pattern when Carolyn made a few versions for her daughter. It looked like such a nice, basic shape that I filed away the pattern in my mind and waited for a chance to pick it up when I was near a Jo-Ann’s. I got my hands on a copy nearly a year ago, and I remember at one point suggesting it to Kelli, but then I just couldn’t seem to make the time for one! Then, a few weeks ago, Kelli posted her smokin’ hot version, so when I got invited to Man Friend’s work party, I knew just what to make!
This pattern is great when you’re pinched for time- shoulder seams, turn and stitch neckline, sleeves, side seams, hem, BOOM! And it’s equally easy to wear. This is the only dress is my closet with long sleeves, so I’ll be adding a few more of these, I think.
I used a glazed ponte from Mood that I bought a long time ago with the intention of making some sort of cardigan or blazer type thingy. But it works really well for a dress. I was really disappointed with the finished dress at first- the bronze glitter looks so pretty over the black close up, but far away, it just looked gross and shiny, like a garbage bag! I really, really hated the dress and nearly threw it in the trash. After a moment’s contemplation, I decided that the fit was off, so I worked on that a bit and then I was happier with the dress. I’d cut out the size that my measurements fit into, then I took in the sleeves by about an inch, and I took a bit off the side seams. I’m still a little bummed by the weird shine of the dress, but live and learn, right? I should check to see how things look from farther away when I’m still at the fabric store!
Alright, how about you guys? What have you been working on? Anything exciting? Any fun plans for sewing in the new year? Do tell!
YOU SAID THIS DRES WAS A HOT MESS! It’s lovely on you. Glad you tweaked the fit and came around to liking it!!!!
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Thanks, G! There’s just something kind of cheap-looking about the fabric, but overall I’m feeling better about it. 🙂
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Wait, the shine is good. It doesn’t look gross, just very “city.” You look great.
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Thank you, Iris! 🙂
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I agree! Sophisticated and Sexy; what more do you want!
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Thank you, Edie! I think it might just be that this is a different look for me… could take some getting used to!
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I used a similar fabric from Mood for a Burda top last year, that I wore for New Year’s in Paris last year. While it doesn’t show up so flashy in photos, I was actually pleased with my results. Especially because I don’t tend to be a “sparkly kinda girl” I think your dress is Fabulous! Happy New Year!!!
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New Year’s in Paris!! That’s so romantic! Happy 2016!!!
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Gorgeous!
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Thank you, Nakisha! 🙂
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Lovely dress! I have that pattern and have it in my queue – – think I’ll move it up now :)!!
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It’s such a quick sew that the other stuff in your queue won’t even notice that you’ve skipped over them! 🙂
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The shine looks really quite cool! Well at least to me it does! You’ve done a good job on the fit too – always good to have a classic simple shape and then tweak it, especially when you want to make the most of your fabric!
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Thank you, Jenny! I agree– it’s so good to have some classic silhouettes you can go to when you have a fun fabric to show off!
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I think the fabric looks really fun! Shiny but not over the top. Throw on a funky necklace maybe, but it definitely doesn’t read garbage bag! Think I need to pick up this pattern after seeing so many great versions!
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It’s a really nice basic! I bet you’d enjoy sewing up a few versions!
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It’s an ‘evening wear’, party dress fabric, and you pull it off well with that pattern; great combination of you, dress, fabric. In candlelight and holiday glitter, you’re fab. At work under the fluorescent lighting, no.
Grandma shoes? Get out of the way, youngster!
And all the best for the new year!
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Heeheehee, thanks, Ernie! Happy 2016!
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I was just reading your blog back today because I missed your face! The fabric looks very cool to me, a nice green/bronze shimmer. Perfect comfy party dress!
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Heeheehee, it’s good to be back! I spent a few hours today reading blog posts I’d missed and it was so fun to see what everyone’s been up to lately! Hope you’re enjoying your holidays!
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Lovely version of this dress pattern. I have made two versions and I like how you use a fabric with subtle bling to make yours. Great job.
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Isn’t it a nice pattern? What fabric did you use for yours?
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I like it! Not trashbaggy at all 🙂
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Heeheehee, thanks, Allie!
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Liking this dress & fabric combo! Thanks for putting this pattern back on my radar. Looks like a terrific basic.
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It’s a great pattern– you should pick it up! 🙂
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I love this! Maybe I have a thing for garbage bags?! 😉
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You seem like the type that would! 😀 I don’t know what that means. Happy 2016, Katie!!!
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Trash bag never crossed my mind at all– the shine makes it look sophisticated, and perfect for holiday parties!
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Ahh, thanks, Becky! Maybe I’m getting too neurotic in my old age!
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Glad you didn’t give up on it because it looks great on you and the fabric is very pretty.
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Thank you so much, Kiana!
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Definitely not a trashbag. It looks great on you!
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Thank you, Kat!
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“Glazed Ponte” sounds so luscious, though! It’s not shiny in a bad way at all. I’ve been sewing a lot of really simple knit lately and I’m totally hooked. I love how even the simplest dresses can be made fancy with the right fabric and grandma shoes 😉 😉 Love it!
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Mmm… glazed ponte… sounds doughnut-y! 😀 Now I’m hungry! Knits are so satisfying when you want to make something easy, aren’t they? I made a few knit garments as holiday gifts and was so pleased with how quickly they came together!
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Glazed ponte? That stuff is awesome, definitely tres cool. In the photos it looks lovely, nothing like a garbage bag!!
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Thanks, Liz! I think I was being a little dramatic and self-conscious about going to my fella’s work party and maybe I took it out a little on my dress! Oops!
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Garbage bag smargage bag, that dress looks great on you. Nice to have you back.
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Heeheehee, thanks, Sarah Kate! I think it was a case of the final dress not looking just like I’d imagined, so I got a little neurotic about it! Silly!
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It’s lovely! I really like the fabric. Got any remnants you don’t want? 🙂
I could see this pattern done in a casual way too. Very versatile design.
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Totally- wouldn’t this look cute in a breton stripe?
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I think it was the perfect fabric for a holiday party dress! You look appropriately dressed for the event. However, you should pick some fun fabrics that are more you for your next versions. And you should def make it again. I have a few more versions for my daughter to make before the seasons change.
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You’re the fancy ponte queen– this whole outfit is inspired by you, now that I think about it! 🙂
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OOOh, I like it. A bit of glitter and shine is good for this time of year I think.It looks like a great basic knit pattern, lovely on you.Currently I am not sewing,just fending off small children. BUt my next planned make is a red riding hood cape for RG’s forthcoming birthday. Got red corduroy, spotty lining just need time to sew now! xx
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Good luck getting through the holidays with the kids underfoot! 🙂 The cape sounds ADORABLE! Can’t wait to see it!!
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Yay you’re back! Been missing you around these parts. 🙂
That fabric looks awesome! Not garbage-bag like at all. Sleek and shiny and sophisticated – perfect for a party 🙂
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Now I just need another party to go to! Teeheehee!
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Welcome back! This is really lovely! It looks like a great comfortable staple pattern and I love that you’ve made it special with a little sparkle!
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‘Garbage Bag’ did not come to mind when I saw this, I assure you! It looks great!
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So glad you saved this dress because it looks awesome on you! I love the shiny material. Not garbage bag at all!!! I am excited to start planning for the new year. I want to make some swimmers this year and a winter coat would be nice. Also I want to try out making a decent shirt like an archer. Let’s see how that all goes!
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I think your dress looks great on you- you are not used to wearing slinky black sparkle fabric. Own it!
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super cute! great winter dress. (and the other day my sis was helping me take some blog photos and she overruled my shoes – which seem very similar to yours. shoe drama 🙂
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Great dress! I love the simple silhouette with that bit of sheen. Looks really classic and festive! You look great- Happy Holidays!
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I love that dress. Very elegant! Now about the shoes, I may be old, I do have those shoes, and I’m not a gramma! 😄
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That is definitely the right fabric for a party dress especially around new year’s and the cut of the dress is perfect for it not to short not to tight just right … and it looks really good on you!
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This pattern is a really great go-to dress. I made a few for myself, then I made a few for my sister. It goes together very quickly and looks fantastic in every version I’ve seen. 😀
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Such a lovely dress – I really love the way the black sparkly fabric turns such a simple silhouette into the perfect go to party dress! You look great in it!
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Love love your holiday party dress, I think that the sparkle is so perfect for a party. Looks fantastic in you! well done!!
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The dress is the perfect NYE dress! It does not look like a garbage bag at all!
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Very pretty dress and that fabric is perfect for the season! I feel the same about blogging, need to organize another theme-sewalong to get the blogging-mojo back!
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It looks great on you! I really like the sheen too, sophisticated party dress. ..
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Oooh, shiny! I like it!
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This is stunning, great job. Happy New Year
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Well, I won’t lie. It’s comforting to see I’m not the only one who just disappeared from Bloglandia for a while and was all, ‘whoa how did that happen’! Love this dress Sonja, gorgeous fabric, simple and well fitting cut, you look super svelte…
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So chic! Un joli tissu mets en valeur le plus simple des modèles ! Tu es prête pour le réveillon du 31! Meilleurs vœux !
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This looks so great on you Sonja and there’s just the right amount of sparkle to it. Happy New Year!
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I like it-I don’t think the shine is weird! Now get some slutty shoes and you’re set. LOL Cheers friend! So glad to see you write again.
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Love it.. Beautiful
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DUDE YOU CALL ME NEXT TIME YOU ARE ABOUT TO THROW SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THE TRASH. I WILL LEAVE THE CAPS LOCK ON SO IT STICKS. THIS IS WONDERFUL. PEACE OUT.
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This does not look like a trash bag at all! You look fantastic in this dress and I think it has just the right amount of sparkle. Beautiful!
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Nice dress! What do you mean grandma shoes? *Rethink all shoes choices…*
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well, i love that shiny fabric, and think that you look fabulous in your new dress..
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I don’t think this looks weird and shiny, I think it looks very classy and glittery, presumably like you intended. This is a perfect LBD and you look amazing in it.
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