Finished: McCall’s 6554 (The Steinaway Dress)

I call this the Steinaway dress because I made it while husband, Stein, was away. I know, Steinway is a piano and this pattern hit all the right notes. *rim shot*

This is my first Fashion Star pattern. What a terrible show that was. The pattern was great though. I don’t remember any previous pattern instructions having me insert the zipper first before attaching the lining or stitching up the back below the zipper. This method worked so well since once the zipper was inserted correctly, the rest just went right into place. Always easier to line up your back seam and keep your lining free when your zipper is all done first. It asked for an invisible zipper but I put in a standard because that’s what I had.

I took extra care to print match while cutting out the fabric pieces. I’m super pleased with the result. The only place I couldn’t match was the lower bodice since the front had darts that the back didn’t. Because of the bust, ya know? So I matched the upper bodice print as best I could. I recut the bodice back and skirt front just to get the pattern properly matched. I think it made a big difference. If it was off it would have bugged me forever.

I love this fabric. I serged all the seams that I could. Looking for longevity here because I can already feel like I’ll be wearing this a lot. Such a great work dress. And brunch dress. And even dancing dress. I skipped the belt. I may stitch it up later. We’ll see. I also eliminated the pockets. Another reviewer of this pattern did the same. I knew this fabric would show every lump and bump and I wanted a nice smooth line.

Don’t you love the inlay in the front pleat? See how I cut the fabric on the cross grain? Looks okay but I basically had to do this since I ran out of fabric after all the print matching.

I only lined the bodice as the pattern called for. I could have lined the whole dress but that would have meant going to the fabric store for lining and I just wanted to get it done.

I will consider purchasing more Fashion Star patterns and I would make this dress again. Though I would remember to add my customary length to the bottom. Could have used a more generous hem.

The photos are from my balcony/patio. The sun washes out the rich colours in the dress in the standing shots. You can see the colour a little better in the shots that are shaded. (It’s wrinkled because I just sat in it for 3 hours. Oops.)

Have you stitched up a Fashion Star pattern? Do you think I’m a Fashion Star? 🙂

Don’t forget to add a comment to this post to get your name in the draw for the Pattern Pyramid giveaway!

What I’m listening to: Marple on Netflix (I love Agatha Christie and this show is great!)