Here’s the Big Girl’s Easter Dress:
Pattern: McCall’s 5309
Fabric: Polyester Tafetta from the Clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby
Lining: Broadcloth
Trims: White Satin-y ribbon
Changes: I used the yoke from View B, but didn’t use a contrasting fabric. I preferred the wide shoulder straps to the 2 spaghetti straps. I also shortened the skirt to make it a little less formal.
Process:
- My Big Girl has a slim build, so I started by paper-fitting the pattern to her. I had to take out some of the yoke so that the shoulder straps would actually fit on her shoulders! (Note: Obviously, from the pulls, I over fitted the dadgummed thing. Oh well!)
- I hate stitching on trims across the yoke. I always, always, always mess them up! This time, I used a little heat-n-bond to tack the ribbon first. That worked much, much better.
- I used a 2 inch white satin ribbon for the back tie as opposed to making one from the taffeta.
- I used ribbon for the hem, based on the method used in this skirt pattern. It worked like a charm and I have a beautiful ribbon hem with all my raw edges completely enclosed.
Tools: (Of course my Janome 9000 and my beloved seam ripper are not shown.)
Would I recommend this pattern?: Maybe. It was easy to follow. All the pieces were there. It did run a bit big, or maybe my child runs a bit slim. Who knows? Anyway, I probably won’t make this again, but it did make a pretty dress.