So said McCall’s back in 1973, and you know what? They weren’t kidding. This little frock was easy to make and should be easy to wear. It’s essentially an a-line from armpit to hem, given shape by the crossover sash which is integrated into the neckline binding.
I made it a bit more complicated than originally designed because the sleeves that came with the pattern originally were no longer with the pattern. Somewhere in the passing 40 years, they went AWOL, so I measured the armscye dimensions of this dress pattern against some other patterns I owned and ended up commandeering the flirty split-sleeve design from a mid-1990s New Look blouse pattern I’ve owned since college.
This sleeve is a bit more complicated than the one that had been designed with the pattern, but I think it is a good pairing stylistically, and it fit into the armscye with no modification required.
The total look is as follows:
I am so pleased with this fabric, I can hardly express it. These colors are just so cheerful, and it has a very nice drape to it. The floral print was from some fabric Mom’s friend Vi was clearing out of her workroom, and the goldenrod yellow contrast fabric is some crepe that I inherited from one of my sister’s friends’ mother. Complicated, no?
The pattern was one from my Grandma Helga’s stash – I think it might have been used for a dress for one of my aunts, but on the other hand, it might have come from Grandma’s cousin Brigitte, who is also a keen seamstress. Cousin Brigitte lived in the southwest at that point in time and made a lot of lightweight sundresses to help cope with the climate as stylishly as possible. One does, if one can.
And this one should help me cope with a summer pregnancy in the best of sunny, flowery fashion. And it is going to look ever and ever so cute with my red patent-leather sandals!
Michelle –
You have a fabulous maternity wardrobe!