Jumpsuit Turned Dress: McCalls 7632 & 6955
It's no secret that I love Fabric Mart, I'm one of their Fabricista's and blog for them once a month in addition to competing in their Fashion Challenge back in 2015 (I came in second). So it should be no surprise that I am a Premium Member. The premium status is achieved once you spend $150 (before shipping) -OR- by purchasing the yearly Julie's Picks Swatch Club and once you achieve it you retain that status unless your account is inactive for a year. Premium members receive special offers as well as first dibs to select fabrics.
This salmon pint tropical print linen/cotton blend arrived in a premium member exclusive special offer email along with 11 other gorgeous prints. I quickly ordered 3.5 yards for just $5.99/yd! You may have seen this fabric because it was eventually offered on the website but then it listed for $19.99/yd and even with a 60% off sale was still $7.99/yd which was $2 more than what I paid. I'm just saying it pays to be a premium member #notanad.
I passed on McCalls 7632 last year because I told myself I had too many jumpsuits patterns. Also I wasn't sure how practical the one shoulder views were for my lifestyle. But then I saw Overdrive over 30, Erica Bunker and SoVeryJo versions of View C as a dress and realized not grabbing this pattern was a mistake. There were many options for the skirt, gathered, circle or flared and maxi, midi or knee. Since I was looking to create a fun-flirty dress out of this tropical print I opted for the flared skirt of M6955 (OOP).
The bodice of M7632 fit well. I did was grade from a 18 and the shoulder and bust to a 20 at the waist. I'm currently a 41" bust and a 36" waist if that helps you. I really love this bodice and can see myself using it repeatedly. I can't wait to make the one shoulder tie and one shoulder ruffle next year. The bodice is self lined so that the shoulder ties don't show a lining fabric as the wrong side will show.
I knew the skirt would work with the bodice because the skirt was simple with only side and back seams. I needed the back seam to install the zipper and the side seams would match the bodice side seams. If this skirt had had pleats I would have checked to see where they lined up in reference to the bodice darts. When I lined up the pattern pieces of the skirt of M6955 with the bodice pieces from M7632 I found the size 20 skirt lined up closet to the size 20 of the bodice, so I cut the 20. I also added two inches to the length because I wanted it to fall lower than mid thigh. Oh, this skirt also has side seam pockets!
I love how the fabric falls, it was described as semi crisp and that was accurate. It is also described as translucent, but I disagree. I did not line the skirt as I did not feel it was necessary. I was more concerned that the fabric was a tad to thick or crisp for the side ties, but it ended up making nice hefty ties.
Pattern: McCalls 7632 Bodice M6955 skirtPattern Description: Close fitting romper and jumpsuits have waist seam, bodice and length variations. A, B, C: Side zipper. D: Back invisible zipper.Sizing: 6-14, 14-22 I sewed a 18 bust graded to a 20 waistDifficulty: 2/easy depending the viewFabric Used: Salmon tropical print linen/cotton blend from Fabric Mart (sold out)Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? The bodice does...Were the instructions easy to follow? YesLikes: Tie shoulders, V neckDislikes: None I really like the jumpsuit view, but felt this fabric worked better as a dress.Pattern alterations or any design changes made: None to either pattern, I simply frankenpatterned them together.Would I sew it again? Yes, I'd like to make the tie shoulder jumpsuit view and maybe the one shoulder ruffle view.Would I recommend it to others? Yes, I think the bodice fits very well.Conclusion: Fun Flirty dress. M7632 brings the fun with the ties and M6955 brings the flirt with the twirl skirt.
