New Look 6447 ~ Octopus Day Dress ~ A little icing, a little cake!
Every summer I plan to sew up a bunch of cute casual dresses, and then, I just don't. They aren't always as practical for work (somedays I need more mobility than a dress allows, so I frequently wear a knit top/skirt combo this time of year, or one of my many Lady Skater dresses), excuses excuses. When I first started sewing I made a bunch of dresses that I don't get to wear very often (Icing v Cake I believe the sewing world calls it). I've been really into making pieces that I will wear daily. But last weekend I went thru my pattern and fabric stash and made New Look 6447.
I made View D, sleeveless and above the knee. I like dress patterns with a midriff piece because I find it's easier to fit if you tend to grade between sizes in the upper and lower body, which I often do. Although I cut a straight 12 this time and it fit pretty much perfectly.
I used some Cotton & Steel octopus cotton lawn that I bought last year. Black is usually the only neutral that I wear, tan is very unusual for me, but I thought this would be cool for the summer. I had a zip in my stash that pretty much matched the gray octopuses if you don't look too closely. (I am in the middle of a several-weeks-long stretch of sewing with odd colors that are difficult to match, threads and zippers. I have maybe a hundred zippers in my stash, it's usually pretty easy to find one that matches!)
This went together very quickly. It's very straightforward if you've made a dress before or even if you haven't. No tricky techniques. The bodice and midriff are lined (self-lined in my case). The instructions were well-written and clear, and I made no alterations, and the fit was pretty spot-on (I used the flat pattern measurements, which state that there is 3" ease above the body measurements. My version has little to no ease).
My favorite part is the V-shaped back. Love it. Probably why I bought the pattern (please excuse my straps trying to sneak out).
When I tried on the bodice while it was a work in progress, I honestly didn't like the front. It seemed and felt too high for my personal tastes ("It's like a turtleneck!" - exaggeration) But when I put the completed dress on, I liked it! It is accurately illustrated, with a higher neck and kind of a vintage vibe.
Overall I'm pretty happy with it, and it's a pattern I will probably make again sometime. Just not in beige - there, I branched out and tried some colors I don't usually wear and now may I please go back to my wheelhouse?
It's both comfortable and casual enough to wear to work. The lawn is very soft and lightweight (and slightly translucent in the skirt on a sunny day). I am inspired to pull out some more of my summer dress patterns and make some more pieces that exist somewhere on the Practicality Spectrum between Icing and Cake!
I used some Cotton & Steel octopus cotton lawn that I bought last year. Black is usually the only neutral that I wear, tan is very unusual for me, but I thought this would be cool for the summer. I had a zip in my stash that pretty much matched the gray octopuses if you don't look too closely. (I am in the middle of a several-weeks-long stretch of sewing with odd colors that are difficult to match, threads and zippers. I have maybe a hundred zippers in my stash, it's usually pretty easy to find one that matches!)
This went together very quickly. It's very straightforward if you've made a dress before or even if you haven't. No tricky techniques. The bodice and midriff are lined (self-lined in my case). The instructions were well-written and clear, and I made no alterations, and the fit was pretty spot-on (I used the flat pattern measurements, which state that there is 3" ease above the body measurements. My version has little to no ease).
When I tried on the bodice while it was a work in progress, I honestly didn't like the front. It seemed and felt too high for my personal tastes ("It's like a turtleneck!" - exaggeration) But when I put the completed dress on, I liked it! It is accurately illustrated, with a higher neck and kind of a vintage vibe.
Overall I'm pretty happy with it, and it's a pattern I will probably make again sometime. Just not in beige - there, I branched out and tried some colors I don't usually wear and now may I please go back to my wheelhouse?
It's both comfortable and casual enough to wear to work. The lawn is very soft and lightweight (and slightly translucent in the skirt on a sunny day). I am inspired to pull out some more of my summer dress patterns and make some more pieces that exist somewhere on the Practicality Spectrum between Icing and Cake!