I do like this fabric. But this is the first time I have had Orange in my closet. I guess it is okay for the warm, sunny summer months? It was just beautiful outside when I started taking photos of my finished Orange dress, until the wind picked up!
For my #sewtogetherforsummer Challenge I asked you which fabric I should use for my wrap dress, you all voted on it here. Since this Orange knit fabric was the runner up by a close margin, I thought I would use it next for my McCall’s M5974, view A. A reader was curious to know how I liked this pattern… and I just want to tell you I LOVED it! It went together very easily. I might just make another, except next time I would use a more stable knit than I did this time. The Orange knit I used was in reality more suitable for activewear. But it survived, and so did I!
Seems like this pattern was well-loved on Patternreview too!
I delayed making this dress as I wanted to wait until my tracing paper arrived. I ordered “Medical Pattern Paper for Patternmaking, Drafting, and Tracing”. A silly long name, but tracing paper is quite useful for someone like me who doesn’t want to cut into patterns. I’d order it again.
My markings were easy to transfer and this tracing paper was stronger than the pattern paper that came in the McCalls envelope, or any other pattern paper that I have seen.
Now my fabric pieces on the other hand were a pain to cut out as they kept curling on the edges. I had to use twice as many weights. I barely survived! I should have used a more stable knit!
Excessive curling!
At least the pattern went together easily. Make the front, sew it together with the back and sew on the sleeves. Then sew up the side seams right into the sleeve seam. Oh! Before I forget. I left the back zipper out, just placing the back on the fold, as this was a really stretchy knit and I knew the dress would just slide on over my head.
The sleeves were easy to attach too. Before started sewing my dress, I practiced on scraps of fabric to find the tiniest zig zag stitch and used that for my whole dress, stretching the fabric slightly as I sewed. Yes, I know my Janome 3160QDC has a stretch stitch but old habits die hard, as they say!
Now for the neckline there isn’t a neck facing included in the pattern. For a stable knit this wouldn’t be a problem. But I could see this fabric had incredible potential to stretch out of shape so I opted for a neck facing.
I drew my own neck facing pieces by following the curves and shape of my bodice front and back.
Neck facing, drawn, cut, interfaced, and sewn. Now to attach it to the dress.
To prevent further stretching, I reinforced the shoulder seams with some twill tape. I also hemmed my dress with a band of interfacing wrapped inside, sewn with a rolled hem. The excess interfacing was carefully trimmed away.
Anything else? Oh yes! Before hemming, this dress hung of “Dolly” for a couple of days to let this knit fabric settle down. To even the hem up after, while Dolly was wearing the dress, I measured an even hem from the floor all the way around. In some places I didn’t trim anything off, in others I took off up to 3/4”.
So what do you think of my Orange dress? This is my first time wearing Orange!
It was the weirdest weather, hot and sunny, and then the wind would pick up for a minute and I actually thought I could see fog rolling in from the water! Then it would get calm, hot and sunny again!
When was the last time you tried a colour that you have never tried before? What was it? I think I am going to have to hunt down some JADE GREEN fabric next!
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? 2 metres! Still 134.5 metres remaining!
This colour really suits you
Thank you! Isn’t is strange how I seem to have stayed away from it for so long!
Cute! I can’t wear orange or yellow at all, but that still leaves plenty for me to choose from!
I have trouble finding a yellow I like (probably because it looks terrible on me). There is a mustard looking yellow that I tried once that made me look dead 💀 I thought orange might be the same. It is great that there are so many other colours to choose! 😁
I’m OK with anything blue-toned as I am gorgonzola coloured. Anything towards yellow is anathema. All down to skin tone isn’t it?
Yes it is – although I am going to have to look up “Gorgonzola”! 😂
Really nice result, despite the problems of curling and stretching, you tamed it! There are several warm tones in your print muting the orange, and per photos I think it works well with your colouring. I’ve just finished a couple of accessories in orange, and am trying to decide if it’s ok.
Thank you! Yes a solid orange might have been a problem. I always figure if it doesn’t work for me there is always charity!
So flattering on you! Your solution for rolling edges was so clever. Now the challenge is…what is the next fabric to use for the next version?
Thank you Mrs. Mole! Well… I’m still stuck on jade green, something not so stretchy, but I don’t have any in my fabric stash, so that might be a problem! I might have to go shopping!
It’s beautiful.
Thank you! ☺️
Beautiful dress on you.
Thank you kindly! It’s a great easy pattern! 😃
Nice Dress! According to Beverly Johnson Jersey knit curls. In her Craftsy video “Sewing Panties Construction & Fit” she recommends spray starch to tame the knit.
Very good tip! Thanks. I didn’t have a clue about this fabric as I dug it from my stash. It had been there a while! 😂
Looks great!!!!
Thank you! 😁
The color is great on you! And you did a great job with the stretchy fabric – some have been known to give up trying to tame it. My coloring is similar to yours, and my last color change was to brilliant turquoise, which I thought would be overwhelming but I get a ton of compliments every time I wear it. I believe the fact it is a lace tope worn with a cami tames the color some with skin tone. As for jade, it is one of my go-to colors, and has been for most my life. It can be hard to find unless you have it in your stash. And green is hard to judge online.
Thank you! Turquoise and jade would be lovely colours. I have read that if you keep the colour away from your face and neck you might have a better chance with it. Sort of goes along with your cami idea! Or trying a scarf between the colour and you. But some of these specialty colours are difficult to find. I find on line shopping to be risky unless you have the time and money to order swatches first!
Brava for conquering a problem fabric and wearing one of my most favourite colours ~ well done you!! xx
Thank you! You never know what you’ll like until you try it! 😁👍
Looks great, both the color and the pattern on you!
Thank you Kathy! It’s a keeper!
It was worth the fight Linda because the result is lovely! I’ll have to live vicariously through you as I can’t wear orange. Peach tone is more my shade within that colour family.
Thank you Diane. I love the peach tones. I love a salmon coloured garment too. Some colours are just too hard to come by though!
Good for you Linda. I have a lovely long sleeved knit top with blue, white and orange stripes, I’ve worn it a few times, but it always felt “too orange” for me. But now that I see how nice you look in orange I’m going to give it another try.
It’s surprising – you never know what works until you try it!
Great dress, Linda! It really pays off being brave and trying new thinsg sometimes, right? 🙂
Thanks Alex! You’re absolutely right! I think I might try some jade green soon – I just have to find some!!!
Looks great! Well done! 🙂
Thank you! 🤗
I really loved this fabric and your dress is just gorgeous. I don’t know why more patterns don’t have facings. I am sewing a Vogue dress at the moment and it just says to use bias when I think that it would be a real cop-out finish. I have this pattern too but haven’t sewing it yet. I will definitely give it a go now that it looks like such a winner. Xx
Thank you! I guess the pattern companies think it’s quick and easy without facings but it lies so much better this way! I would have though Vogue would do facings all the time! I’ll be looking forward to seeing your version when you get to it.
Oh I love it! I would probably not have tried this pattern from the package. I also love how the pattern looks going up and down on the dress and back and forth on the belt/waist. So great!
Thank you! Ya, I thought I should change it up a bit! 😁
If you want to step out of your comfort zone, take you older sister material shopping with you (and I don’t mean me) cause she will talk you into buying material that is a mix of lime green and navy blue. I must admit the outfit was cute but wow did it take a lot to get used to wearing lime green.
Your dress turn out beautiful, I love the way the vertical rows mix with the zigzag. The color is not a harsh orange (70’s style) but a warming orange so I may be tempted to give it a try. Good job on another project well done.
Yes, lime green is out of my comfort zone – but if the Queen wears it to weddings, I guess I can too! 😁👍 Thanks for the compliments!
Love your choice of fabric and pattern style. Very flattering on you. Great job & you look lovely. See me at http://www.sewplus.blogspot.com
Thank you! The orange was something different for me but I love it! ❤️