It's no secret that I'm on the petite side. My clothes being too long is a common problem for me. This doesn't stop my love for maxi dresses. If there's any dress I'm going to wear on a regular, day to day basis, I'm going to pick the maxi dress. Fortunately, the best part about making your own clothes is that you get total control over the length and this is especially important in a long dress, such as the one I made for this tutorial.
I was excited to make McCall's 6697, but I was even more excited when I had a new, finished dress that fit me perfectly. There's so many things that I love about this dress. First, it's made out of knit fabric, so it's extremely comfortable to wear and very easy to assemble. McCall's 6697 is definitely a pattern that can be completed by a beginner sewer. There are no fasteners to worry about, as this is just a pullover dress. So, if you're afraid of doing zippers or buttonholes, then this is the dress for you.
The other thing great about this dress is the style. This easily could be a single color, knit dress, but those diagonal stripes really turn this dress from simple to wow. I love how this dress can be either casual or dressed up. I was amazed that by adding a few accessories, McCall's 6697 completely transforms into something elegant. My shortness was also changed into something tall and, I dare say, statuesque. I know it's all an illusion, but I'll take it.
Please note: In my copy of the pattern, there was a misprint. On pattern piece 6 there is a notch towards the bottom, which was mistakenly printed on the wrong side. Please don't be alarmed if this matches a non-notch side. For now, just ignore this notch. Also, in this demonstration we focus on making view D, the long dress, but you can also follow along with us if you want to make View B or C.
If you wish to purchase this pattern, please click here.
When I make a dress, do I go by the waist measurement, hip or bust? I am bust-43, waist-36 1/2, and hip-37. I am 5′ 2″. I don’t know where to start to find my size. when I go by bust size, the dress looks like a tent. Please help.
Scotti
Thank you for your wealth of sewing knowledge! The videos are extremely helpful. I was worried about the neckline stretching out too much over time. I’ll use your suggestion to make my own binding.
I’m a little hesitant to say. While bias tape is somewhat stretchy, I don’t think it’ll be stretchy enough for this. I would suggest instead to make your own binding out of the knit fabric, if you don’t want to finish it like the pattern suggests.
Would finishing the neckline and armholes with a 1/2″ single fold bias tape also work? Thank you so much for the tutorial!!
oh good. I’ve returned patterns quite a bit at JoAnn’s and, as long as I had my receipt, I’ve never had a problem. 🙂
Thank you again dear professor!
yes, I have an envelope that contains only sizes 6 through 14.. I didn’t know that there is another envelope with size I needed. I bought it at Jo-Ann fabric and craft center. I am going there to try to exchange if they let me do it.
I truly appreciate your help and directions.
Sincerely
Saeah Olsen
Do you mean you have the envelope with the smaller sizes? There is another envelope that contains sizes 14-22, so this is the one you want. As long as you haven’t started cutting anything up, you should be able to exchange your pattern for the correct pattern size. I would contact the vendor you purchased the pattern from and see if they would allow it. I think getting the envelope with the correct size is your best option since you’re a beginner. Trying to take the current pattern and making adjustments might be a little complicating especially with this particular dress that has many pieces to it. .
Dear professor,
Thank you for such a quick response. Unfortunately size 16 isn’t included in this dress pattern. What shall I do now?
Yup, we’ve all been there. The feeling is disbelief because you’re so used to wearing a certain size and it’s depressing to consider that you may be making a larger size. The reason that there’s a difference is because the pattern companies have adopted a certain set of measurements and sizing and they’re pretty consistent. Companies that create ready to wear clothes are allowed to create their own set of sizes and there really isn’t much consistency in clothing manufacturing. This is why you may try on a size 8 with one brand it fits great, but a size 8 in another brand may not fit as well. But clothing designers have also made things even more confusing once you bring in vanity sizing, which is what they use on a consistent basis. They know that people feel better and buy more clothes if they’re getting a smaller size, so clothing companies changed their sizing system so clothes that were one size are now a smaller size number. Nothing else changed but the number on the label. This is also why they’ve suddenly invented size 0 and 00. So I would cut out the size 16. If you’re still a little leery, make a muslin, which means making the garment out of cheap similar fabric and baste the pieces together enough to at least try it on. Good luck!
Dear McCall’s pattern,
When I buy my apparel in the store it’s always size 8. I’m 5’-2” tall and I weight 125 lb
But when I checked my bust=38”, waist=34”, hip=40” I saw that according to your pattern I will fit only in size 16. Why it’s such a difference? Or I do something wrong? The dress I like very much and would like to do it myself is M6697. It even doesn’t have size 16 pattern.
I do not want to cut the fabric before I’ll get the answer from you.
I will really appreciate your quick respond.
Sincerely
Sarah Olsen