Mother's Day Ensemble + Pattern Review: McCall's 6953

I wanted something quick and cute to wear to church with my Mom on Mother's Day. Well my choice failed in the "quick" category but it did hit the mark on "cute". I don't know what got into us but between me, my sister and my brother, not one of us managed to take a single picture that day. LOL!

I spent the greater part of Saturday working on this dress. I didn't count the cost before starting. it was a lot of pattern pieces and therefor more time than I had intended to spend on the dress. But once I got started I was committed. Anyways, here's the completed dress. And below is a pattern review for fellow sewers.

I'm also going to submit this one for my Make a Garment a Month Challenge garment for the month of May. I hadn't intended to make this my Challenge garment but since the month is halfway over and I haven't come up with anything else, I'm going to just submit this one for the challenge.

 

Pattern Description:
MISSES' DRESSES: Dresses have princess seams, fitted, lined bodice, pleated skirt, hemline variations, and back zipper. B and C: shaped hemline, wrong side shows. C: hem band. A, B and D: narrow hem. Separate pattern pieces are included for cup sizes A/B, C, D. Designed for Medium-Weight Wovens.

I made View C.

Pattern Sizing:
6-14. I cut size 12 using the C cup bodice front pieces.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions were okay for the parts that I read. I really only consulted the instructions for which pattern pieces to connect together as there were front/front side and back/back side pieces for the bodice, skirt and hem band. I didn't pay attention to the fact that the dress intends for a side zipper which I would never do under any circumstances so I spent a bit of quality time with my seam ripper once I realized I should have altered the construction order just a bit.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved the overall style and fit of the dress. This was my very first high-low hem garment ever. What I didn't like was that there were SO MANY doggone pattern pieces. Ugh!

Fabric Used:
white/black polka dot cotton sateen for the dress (2 yards) and black cotton sateen for the hem band (2 yards). Both purchased from Joann.

I used jetset knit for the bodice lining since my fashion fabric has 2% lycra. I wanted to preserve that stretch as I chose my pattern size based on that fact. I didn't like the result. In hindsight I might have looked for some white poplin for the lining.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I inserted the zipper in the back instead of in the side.

I did a 1/2 inch sway back adjustment. I probably could have taken 3/4 inch but it isn't bad as-is.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I doubt I will sew the same view again for myself but I think I would enjoy View B in a lighter weight fabric. I would recommend the pattern I would just strongly caution: Buyer Beware. It IS a fabric hog and there is a lot of piecing. I used a total of 4.5 yards of fabric for this dress.

Conclusion:
This is a great dress. I received many compliments when I wore it. I wanted something quick and cute to wear to church on Mother's Day. While this didn't end up being a "quick" project, it IS cute. And I'm glad I made it. It was worth the effort.