McCalls Dresses and Slip M6696

McCall's 6696 is a versatile shirt dress, with sleeve and skirt variations and an additional bias-cut slip. This is such a great little pattern, with some really gorgeous details – there’s a proper collar with collar band, plus the back yoke and the waistband are both faced. The included cup-size bodice adjustments reduce the need to do a FBA/SBA!

I made view B out of Cotton Sateen with a bit of stretch, so it remained quite structured. I also removed the back gathers - you can see more on my blog!

I would really recommend M6696, as it is so flattering and it is fairly easy to sew.

So I have made this pattern a few times and I am about to start on another one.

I know this is a very popular pattern and for good reason there are so many lovely details and it all comes together really well.

I love the gathers in the back especially in this fluid poly, the belt hoops, the collar is a nice size and it has pockets!!

I sized down 2 sizes from the body measurement sizes, based on the finished garment measurements.

My only real tip is to make sure you mark all the pleats clearly, I didn't on my first one and it was a bit of a nightmare.

I completed my second McCalls 6696 this week using similar changes to my last version. Reducing the collar width, eliminating the gathers at the back of the yoke and constructing the dress throughout with French Seams.
More information on my blog: https://carolinejoynson.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/chambray-mccalls-m6696.html

This is a shirt dress pattern with several different views, both with sleeves and without and two different sleeve lengths. There is a lovely pleated skirt that I love but also a narrow skirt for the people that don't like that much volume. And finally there is even a shift to wear underneath sheer fabrics!

The pattern has two size ranges US 8-16 and 16-24. I made the size 8 but I think I should have added a few cms to the waist which is a bit tight in the finished garment. In any case I recommend not trusting the McCall's size chart which includes a huge amount of ease. According to the size chart I should have made a size somewhere between 12 and 14!

I used cotton lawn that I found in the factory remnants section of the local fabric shop. I did not read all the instructions since I have made several shirt dresses before, but the parts that I did read were clear and there were a lot of pictures to explain some of the details.

I left out the center-back seam of the skirt. I did not see any point in it since my fabric was wide enough to cut the skirt from the fold.
This is a wonderful pattern and I will definitely use it several times! At this moment I am looking at the slip pattern and thinking of turning it into a camisole. And yes, I would warmly recommend this pattern for anyone with a bit of sewing experience.

For more pictures and thoughts about the sewing process visit my at withmyhandsdream.com.

Making this dress has pushed me to really focus on fit and I'm so happy with how it's, finally, turned out! I made one, not so wearable muslin and two further bodice toiles to get the fit that I wanted. I ended up sizing down overall; doing a narrow shoulder adjustment, sway back adjustment, taking out the gathers from centre back, making a mandarin collar and raising the armholes. I'm so happy with what I've learned! This is the happiest I've been in a 'proper' dress since I wore my wedding dress (which I did not make!)

Full details can be found over on my blog www.sewsarahsmith.wordpress.com

Sarah x