So interesting to watch you work because you manage to make your "mistakes" into design features. I love to do the same. And you look so happy in your creations I can't help but smile. It's refreshing to watch someone whose projects don't turn out perfectly the first time. And I think you can go back and change the first dress you had on so that you like it more.
Your 2nd & 3rd versions of the McCall dress pattern look so lovely with the self matching belts & are so much more flattering than the original dress with the elasticated waist.🥰
Oh Karen, your dresses are fabulous. I love your "can do" attitude and "just go for it" approach, you're so brave and an inspiration to beginner sewing enthusiasts. Thank you for your time and expertise.
It's always fun when I see a new post from you in my feed. I'm learning a lot from watching you modify these patterns. That blue dress is beautiful and the way it drapes on you is really nice. I really like the second dress too with those flutter sleeves. Both are very nice and they look breezy and summery.
Hi Karen. I like the blue dress best, and espeically love how you fixed the too-big neckline and the sleeves. It's unique and special in that you are the architect, Antonia
Thank you! I know I won't wear a garment without pockets. So, based on this video, I now know that a particular fabric I have, will definitely need to be made into a garment where I can anchor the pocket into the waist seam (although I think it could be anchored into a princess seam). Simply using a sturdier cotton for the pocket bag isn't going to do it. Thank you for "winging it" and showing us, so I can make some different kind of mistake I'll need to figure out. ;)
Yes, pockets are a bit tricky because there is no waist seam. I put them in the yellow one, but they flop around a bit. Thanks for your comments and happy sewing!
My favorite is the blue dress. I actually like that length, and the gathers with roses give it a focal point near the face. I don't know whether i prefer the tie or not as the dress looks nice both ways.
I like the dresses without the elastic. They are really cute. And their belts make them so versatile.But I think the shoulder to high bust part of the pattern is probably about two sizes too big. I have the same problem with my patterns, so I cut the smaller size on the shoulder to under the arms and then grade out to the waist and hips. Grading from the smaller size would not only bring in the shoulders, but make the neckline smaller, and the arm holes higher too usually. It's a really easy adjustment. On the blue dress, when I've had the same problem with a too wide neck opening, I have always put a box pleat on the center front and center back neckline. But your gathering is cute. Maybe I'll try gathering on the front and a box pleat on the back if I have that happen again.
Thanks for the advice! I am, indeed, a size smaller on the top but didn't cut it that way. I actually put in a box pleat in the back, and it looks very cute! Thanks for stopping bye. :)
The first is so lovely and floaty(?). The third is fun and adaptable. The original would work nice as a shirt and shorts set. Would there be enough fabric left to do that? And would you want too😊?
Just discovered you! I was wondering if you had ever taken some WOW print fabric and a matching shirt, cut the shirt bottom off straight, gathered the skirt fabric up (including making French seamed pockets), attached it to the bottom of the shirt to make an actual "shirt dress". I've done 2 now and have plans for more. I just need the confidence to wear them out. They are so comfortable around home but maybe they are toooooooooo weird. I don't want to stick out in a crowd. Oh, and I did cut the sleeves just above the button hole band, turned them up and put 1/8" elastic inside a casing. Let me know what you think.
Hello! I love that idea, the literal shirt dress indeed! Even the sleeve idea sounds cute. I can see where the right shirt/skirt choice is important, or, yes, wearing it out...happy sewing!
@@karenfrances Actually, leaving the sleeves as they are is a better idea. Then it looks more like a shirt. But I didn't want them coming down while I was doing my housework. Next time, I'll just leave them as they are.
How tall are you? I’m 5’4” but short waisted, so I’m thinking the original bodice length might work for me. I despise the gaping arm openings, too. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Could you put some tucks or a pleat in the back of the navy dress to close the neckline a bit?
I'm 5'9" and I think you are right, it would probably be perfect for you. I didn't mention it but I actually put a pleat in the back and it worked perfectly!
I like both of them
So interesting to watch you work because you manage to make your "mistakes" into design features. I love to do the same. And you look so happy in your creations I can't help but smile. It's refreshing to watch someone whose projects don't turn out perfectly the first time. And I think you can go back and change the first dress you had on so that you like it more.
Aww, thanks! I actually turned that first dress into a top and a skirt. The top is nice, the skirt no so much, but I learned a lot.
Hi Karen, love your clever pattern hacks, the flow of the skirt is so pretty!
Thanks! I'm definitely more comfortable in the hack than the original.
You're amazing, Karen! I like your video very much👍 All the dresses are perfect, the blue one with a belt is the best😃😘💕
What an awesome comment, you made my day! I like the blue, too--I can wear it more places.
I love the blue one. The sleeves are wonderful🌟
I'm glad you liked the sleeves! :)
I like them both but LOVE the green with flutter sleeves. The way you fixed the neckline on the blue was a great idea; I must try this.
Thanks so much! I like the flutter sleeves too, they are very comfortable.
Very nice job on hacking that pattern to what you like. I especially like blending the bodice with the skirt in one piece.
Thank you! 😊 I don't have a dress pattern that's easy to slip on and off, except a caftan.
Your 2nd & 3rd versions of the McCall dress pattern look so lovely with the self matching belts & are so much more flattering than the original dress with the elasticated waist.🥰
I totally agree! I was surprised that a belt worked so much better than the elastic.
Oh Karen, your dresses are fabulous. I love your "can do" attitude and "just go for it" approach, you're so brave and an inspiration to beginner sewing enthusiasts. Thank you for your time and expertise.
Thank you so much! Your comments really mean a lot to me. I do try to have fun!
all i kept doing was stare at afghan behind you.nice crochet work
my mom made it. thanks!
It's always fun when I see a new post from you in my feed. I'm learning a lot from watching you modify these patterns. That blue dress is beautiful and the way it drapes on you is really nice. I really like the second dress too with those flutter sleeves. Both are very nice and they look breezy and summery.
thank you! i'm finding out picking the right fabric really helps. i don't think the pattern would look right in a heavy cotton.
Love how you modified the pattern. The blue is a better colour for you, but I like the overall yellow dress.
I totally agree! The yellow dress is more comfortable, but not quite my color. Thanks for your comment~
Hi Karen. I like the blue dress best, and espeically love how you fixed the too-big neckline and the sleeves. It's unique and special in that you are the architect, Antonia
Hi Antonia, thanks! I like the blue too, it was fun to experiment.
I love your mass approach and experimenting. It´s so inspiring. I find both the 2nd and the 3rd versions very flattering to you!
Glad you like them! Thank you, so much.
I love the last one you made with the matching tie!!
Thanks!
The blue dress is lovely and its crying out for a thin red belt.
And I actually have one! Going to see how it looks...
Thank you! I know I won't wear a garment without pockets. So, based on this video, I now know that a particular fabric I have, will definitely need to be made into a garment where I can anchor the pocket into the waist seam (although I think it could be anchored into a princess seam). Simply using a sturdier cotton for the pocket bag isn't going to do it.
Thank you for "winging it" and showing us, so I can make some different kind of mistake I'll need to figure out. ;)
Yes, pockets are a bit tricky because there is no waist seam. I put them in the yellow one, but they flop around a bit. Thanks for your comments and happy sewing!
My favorite is the blue dress. I actually like that length, and the gathers with roses give it a focal point near the face. I don't know whether i prefer the tie or not as the dress looks nice both ways.
Thanks Nadine! I like the blue too, as far as a color that goes well with me. it is very comfortable without the tie.
you did good!
I like the first and the last, it's a tie for me. 😁
I'm with you, first and last. :)
I like the dresses without the elastic. They are really cute. And their belts make them so versatile.But I think the shoulder to high bust part of the pattern is probably about two sizes too big. I have the same problem with my patterns, so I cut the smaller size on the shoulder to under the arms and then grade out to the waist and hips. Grading from the smaller size would not only bring in the shoulders, but make the neckline smaller, and the arm holes higher too usually. It's a really easy adjustment. On the blue dress, when I've had the same problem with a too wide neck opening, I have always put a box pleat on the center front and center back neckline. But your gathering is cute. Maybe I'll try gathering on the front and a box pleat on the back if I have that happen again.
Thanks for the advice! I am, indeed, a size smaller on the top but didn't cut it that way. I actually put in a box pleat in the back, and it looks very cute! Thanks for stopping bye. :)
Thanks! I think a box pleat might be the way to solve an alteration I need to do.
The first is so lovely and floaty(?). The third is fun and adaptable. The original would work nice as a shirt and shorts set. Would there be enough fabric left to do that? And would you want too😊?
The first was just a mockup, so I am very willing to try to make it into shorts and a shirt. Great idea!
Just discovered you! I was wondering if you had ever taken some WOW print fabric and a matching shirt, cut the shirt bottom off straight, gathered the skirt fabric up (including making French seamed pockets), attached it to the bottom of the shirt to make an actual "shirt dress". I've done 2 now and have plans for more. I just need the confidence to wear them out. They are so comfortable around home but maybe they are toooooooooo weird. I don't want to stick out in a crowd. Oh, and I did cut the sleeves just above the button hole band, turned them up and put 1/8" elastic inside a casing. Let me know what you think.
Hello! I love that idea, the literal shirt dress indeed! Even the sleeve idea sounds cute. I can see where the right shirt/skirt choice is important, or, yes, wearing it out...happy sewing!
@@karenfrances Actually, leaving the sleeves as they are is a better idea. Then it looks more like a shirt. But I didn't want them coming down while I was doing my housework. Next time, I'll just leave them as they are.
You can put a tuck/pleat at the center back.
I actually thought about that afterwards and put one in. Great idea!
How tall are you? I’m 5’4” but short waisted, so I’m thinking the original bodice length might work for me. I despise the gaping arm openings, too. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Could you put some tucks or a pleat in the back of the navy dress to close the neckline a bit?
I'm 5'9" and I think you are right, it would probably be perfect for you. I didn't mention it but I actually put a pleat in the back and it worked perfectly!
TOSS BETWEEN GREEN AND BLUE
TYFS