Hello sweet friends. Welcome to a very comfortable edition of Fashion Friday. I recently finished a Cottagecore Dress Created With Vintage Fabric.
Cottagecore Dress Created With Vintage Fabric
I purchased some lovely vintage cotton fabric at an estate sale last year. I was looking for an easy to wear dress style with classic lines to pair with it. McCalls 8192, view B, seemed to fit the bill… at first.
BE FOREWARNED
This dress is backless.
When I first purchased this pattern several months ago no where on the McCalls website listing did it mention that the dress was backless. They must have received a ton of complaints because it now does.
The line drawings for view B don’t do a great job of indicating this crucial detail either.
Complete Coverage
Now it’s no secret that I am a woman of a certain age. I would rather not show my exposed back to the world. So here is how I altered the dress so it would provide coverage in a fashionable manner.
- The strap pattern piece was eliminated.
- All of the remaining pattern pieces were cut out as indicated.
- Instead of flipping the two facing pieces inside I just sewed up a center seam.
- I used a dinner plate as a guide to give the new back neck edge a soft rounded curve.
- The entire neckline was bound in a bias strip of the same fabric. (The dress is roomy enough a person can easily slip over their head.)
- For my figure type I needed additional definition so that I didn’t end up looking like I am wearing a sack. A waist tie was added in at each lower bodice side seam. The rectangles of fabric measured 28″ by 3″. You may need to add or subtract to the length to suit your figure.
Was It Worth The Hassle
In my opinion, yes! The dress is very comfortable. I love the sleeves.
Perfect Pockets
I’m not sure why more women’s garments don’t feature pockets.
With the gathered skirt you can’t really see that there are side seam pockets.
But they are beautifully there.
This Week’s Video
This week’s video includes photos of Pony’s first walk in the park!
See you Sunday,
Laura
Your dress is so pretty! When you alter patterns there is really no end to what you can do to ‘fix’ and create. I love pockets in a dress or skirt. I always made sure to sew some sort in. Seeing all your pretty creations always makes me think about doing some sewing…but then I realize I am too lazy now. lol
Your dress will be lovely and fresh for the spring days! I always enjoy seeing your beautiful creations! <3
Hello, friend. You inspired me to try this pattern. Just to clarify, the back piece indicates to cut 4, 2 are for the facing. So, all 4 pieces cover the center back. Did you have to redraw the back neckline after stitching the center back seam?