27 Dec McCall’s 6886 Kelly Green
Dear Readers,
I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season! Below is my Christmas dress and the last project of 2017.
The pattern, McCall’s 6886 is a classic that’s been around for awhile, and has received nearly 200 reviews on the Pattern Review website. Believe it or not, this is the first time I’ve sewn the simple pattern.
While sewing the dress was simple, taking photographs was not………..
Failed flashes, poor lighting, a squirming baby, windy weather etc… prevented us from getting flattering pics,
but it was the perfect dress for my typical Christmas – not too dressy, festive and comfortable.
The Oscar de la Renta neoprene from Mood Fabrics is the best, leading me to order 4 more yards. The Kelly Green is now sold out but other colors in this perfect weight scuba knit are available.
I embellished the sleeves with ruffles, and while they added a festive touch to the dress, the fabric is a little heavy for this feature. I plan to sew it again keeping it simple, possibly using one of my go to patterns such as Vogue 9047.
If you’re not using Eloflex Thread for sewing knits, you’re missing a good thing! I truly cannot recommend this stretch thread highly enough. Manufactured by Coats & Clark, Eloflex thread allows you to use a straight stitch on knits and will not snap or break. I use it in the bobbin as well.
It is especially perfect for topstitching necklines.
So here we are almost at the end of the busy holiday season. As I mentioned on Instagram, Hubby and I came across this snowman tree at a party and are ready to incorporate it’s simplicity into our lives on a regular basis.
It’s been fun but I’m ready to wind down, get organized and head back to my sewing room!
5 more days!
R.S.V.P. by December 31 with your name, photo, and Facebook account name to
2018rtwfast@gmail.com
5
Marianne Johansson
Posted at 11:09h, 27 DecemberA Really nice dress ! This will ve so exiting
!!
Hope I manage this !!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:09h, 27 DecemberMany thanks, Marianne – You can do it!!
Tina Chester
Posted at 11:30h, 27 Decemberhappy to hear you had a wonderful Christmas. Let’ s Do This
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:09h, 27 DecemberMy sentiments exactly, Tina!
Paula DeGrand
Posted at 11:44h, 27 DecemberYour dress looks wonderful and it’s so flattering on you! I’m also more than ready to get on with the new year and sewing in the RTW Fast! I have been dreaming and scheming, waiting for it get underway!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:10h, 27 DecemberThank you, Paula! Dreaming and scheming are half of the fun 😀😀
Angela
Posted at 11:46h, 27 DecemberThe dress is beautiful! I am very intrigued by your comments about Eloflex. I’ve also heard it is hard to work with – but I have not personally tried it yet. Do you have any tips, suggestions about using it? Do you use it in the bobbin and wind by hand or machine? I assume it is used both for the upper and lower thread?
Angela
Posted at 11:48h, 27 DecemberI realized I didn’t read carefully enough – you do use it in the bobbin. But same questions about winding it up, etc. It is hard to argue with your results, I wonder why some others have such problems?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:13h, 27 DecemberAngela,
I have not had a problem with the thread. Coats & Clark recommends using a size 9 or 11 Ballpoint or Stretch needle with the Eloflex for best results. A universal and ball-point needle should also be compatible with the thread. For this dress my stitch length was 3.5.
Why don’t you buy a spool and experiment first? 😉
Angela
Posted at 18:30h, 27 DecemberI have ordered some – should have plenty of practice during the RTW fast! Do you wind the bobbin on your machine or does that put too much tension on it? I’m sure I will do a good bit of experimenting, but your results are so great I want to start with what works for you.
Chris T
Posted at 12:08h, 27 DecemberI love that dress, the colour is gorgeous and you look amazing. How did you press the seams, I am working on some scuba and am finding pressing quite difficult., while yours look perfect. I hope you can give me some tips. Alas I won’t be joining the RTW fast, at least not this time but will be watching you all. God luck and happy sewing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:16h, 27 DecemberThank you, Chris! I keep a silk organza press cloth pinned to my ironing board, and used it when pressing the seams on this dress. Also, I used a longer stitch length (3.5). It took a little experimenting to find the right length for this fabric. My machine automatically adjusts the tension to accommodate the fabric weight. and it all pressed nicely. 😉
Chris T
Posted at 01:36h, 28 DecemberMy seams just refuse to lie flat, they spring back, so I must keep attacking them. I did use a a press cloth, albeit not a silk one. I think I might have to try using a clapper and perhaps more indirect steam.
Helen Sriubiskis
Posted at 12:17h, 27 DecemberVery lovely dress! Did you line it.
Help! I have been searching for the perfect lightweight knit lining; the kind that garment manufacturers use to line better quality knit dresses. Some of the knit linings I have seen are too thick and dense, and would make a dress too hot to wear. (Sort of like wearing a plastic bad; not breathable.) Can you please recommend what is the best knit lining and where can I buy it?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:28h, 27 DecemberMany thanks, Helen!
I did not line this dress as it did not need it. My favorite linings for knits are tricot which is usually lightweight and knit silk charmeuse. I used this to line the sequin dress I recently made. It’s quite luxurious against the skin 😉
Patricia Parsons
Posted at 12:44h, 27 DecemberMerry Christmas and thank-you so much for all of the inspiration you’ve given me over the past year. You look wonderful in that dress! I’ll be following along on the RTW fast with great interest…although I won’t participate because I know I’ll succumb to a new pair of Paige jeans in the end-of-season sales! I have yet to find a single reason to make a pair of skinny jeans. And I have my eye on a Mackage leather bomber. Happy New Year!
Barbara Williams
Posted at 13:30h, 27 DecemberI love the Eloflex thread! Using Eloflex, a shorter straight stitch, and slowing down my sewing speed had eliminated skipped stitches.
Getting ready to sew in 2018!
vicki Maiorano
Posted at 16:59h, 27 DecemberLovejy dress! I’ve signed up for the RTW fast. Should be fun.
SJ
Posted at 17:22h, 27 DecemberI struggle with necklines and would love to hear your tips and tricks! This neckline is so beautiful and perfect. Well done!
Maggie ecger
Posted at 21:00h, 27 DecemberBeautiful dress!
Jean Kerr
Posted at 21:51h, 27 DecemberI have been debating joining the RTW fast. But then I saw on today’s blog that you need to send a photo. I don’t have a cell or a working camera anymore. And I am not on Facebook. So I guess I will join in spirit only. I really enjoy your blog. Jean
Vanessa Thomas
Posted at 22:59h, 27 DecemberI think your Kelly Green dress is sublime for the holiday season! You look beautiful!
Michael
Posted at 01:06h, 28 DecemberI may be the only guy to sign up for the fast. The email has been sent. And I’m intrigued by the scuba fabric.
Mt
Denise Gibson
Posted at 01:19h, 28 DecemberLooks fabulous. I have used this pattern and was thrilled to bits. I adjusted the pattern for my large waist and it fits beautifully. I think I will make many versions of it.
MaryEllen
Posted at 09:28h, 28 DecemberYour Christmas dress is sew pretty ! I love that you can dress it up or more casual . I also loved seeing the glimpse of your beautiful granddaughter .
Can’t wait to start the RTW fast – just ordered my last pair of Tlabots jeans – he he . But jeans & pants are on the agenda for next year to sew 😍
Marguerite
Posted at 21:47h, 28 DecemberI just ordered my last pair of Talbots pants myself! And shorts from Nordstrom! This fast is needed!
Jeanne Walker
Posted at 11:07h, 28 DecemberLove your dress and also can’t wait until we start working on our RTW Fast. Already have a couple of projects line up for and must complete before my Trip in February. Love buying on line but this hopefully will be saving me $$$$$. Jeanne
Sarah Liz Sew Style
Posted at 16:49h, 30 DecemberOkay, I am in…
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:08h, 31 DecemberWonderful!
Hanh-Trang Ginocchio
Posted at 00:07h, 31 DecemberI think the pictures are still very beautiful,
Thanks for sharing and bringing joy with your posts filled with your enthusiasm and your sparkling personality.
Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Reflecting…. | The Material Lady
Posted at 11:45h, 31 December[…] make more this year (aren’t there always?) and whilst I’m not officially signing up for Goodnight Valentinos RTW fast this year (I did it a few years ago and enjoyed it) I do intend to sew anything I can rather than […]