CIAO, AMORE: MCCALLS 7974 (HACKED)

McCalls 7974 is a darling sundress pattern that was perfect for the recent heatwave here in England! I would class this pattern for a confident beginner, as there are quite a few steps and it can get a bit complicated — you should feel happy with gathering and button holes before embarking on making this garment. M7974 has a fitted, v-neck bodice with a button-front closure, with different sleeve and length variations, but I hacked my version by removing the buttons and adding a 9″ invisible side zipper. I made a toile of my usual size and found that this patterns seems to run quite large, so I would highly recommend checking the fit with a muslin beforehand.

I made View A from a Dolce & Gabbana cotton, which has a zesty lemon print on a bright red background — it is such a happy, exuberant print! The cotton is lightweight and crisp, and holds all the gathering really well and gives the skirt a decent amount of structure – you can see more photos and details on my blog.

I made a couple of adjustments, which included adding a few centimetres to the length of the bodice under the fullest section of the bust, so the midriff would sit below comfortably and not across my bust line. I also raised the v-neck so it wouldn’t be as low-cut and also removed 2″ off the skirt length, which makes this dress hit just above my knee. To make this dress feel even more opulent, I added a fun, contrast lining to the bodice and finished my skirt seams with a Hong Kong seam finish.

M7974 was a fun sew, with clear instructions and a lovely finished garment. This dress is a real compliment magnet and makes my heart sing whenever I wear it!