16 Jan New Look 6524
If you follow my Instagram feed, you may know I’ve been sewing this garment.
Was I deprived of wearing shifts as a youth, you ask ? I don’t know the answer, but do admit to sewing lots of shifts.
The silhouette works for me, I adore the sleeve variations in this pattern, and I wanted to wear something other than black with my boots.
I finished the dress just in time for Mimi’s baby shower (due March 10th). The gender of the baby is unknown, but I’m ready if it’s a g i r l !
I received the lightweight pink wool, from my Aunt Maggie in 2012, and have been saving it for just the right occasion!
Having sewn this pattern twice before (first time blogged here) I was comfortable with the bodice fit, so I constructed the sleeves first, – am I glad I did 😉
New Look 6524 is an unlined dress pattern. I lined the dress with a polyester lining, but planned to leave the sleeve flounce unlined so not to affect its drape and movement.
After spending way too much time working on the ties I knew the flounce must be lined.
Even with a template I could not press the oval ties evenly using the narrow hem technique. Lining the flounce proved to be the answer and minimally affected its drape.
Through the years, I’ve observed and sewn many variations on the classic shift pattern, and this is one of my favorites for several reasons.
1 – The pattern hangs perfectly straight from the shoulders, and needs no back or front darts for a flattering fit.
2 – The back zipper provides additional fitting options. For me this is an opportunity to fit my narrow back.
3 – Shortening the bodice by one inch was my only alteration.
4 – Everything about this pattern is cut right for me which is unusual. I love the neckline, the bust dart placements, and those sleeves …………..
There will always be a place for the shift in my closet. Lilly Pulitzer wore floral shifts at her juice stand to camouflage stains, Yves St. Laurent’s trapeze dress started a fashion revolution, and me…… ? The shift serves to remind me that when life gets complicated simplicity is attainable winter, spring, summer or fall in any fabric I’d like 😉
Until soon.
Gail Cunningham
Posted at 07:12h, 16 JanuaryWhat a blessing when our babies have their babies! Babies galore!!! Life doesn’t get much better than this, says this young-at-heart nana of 5.25 babies (yes, another blessing is on the way!).
Your dress is just beautiful, your sleevework is outstanding, as usual!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 16 JanuaryYes, indeed Gail! Having babies in the family again is the best ever! Many thanks for your comment. 😉
Debbie Bowdish
Posted at 07:37h, 16 JanuaryYou look so pretty in your pink shift! The sleeves really make it special! I am excited for your family and anxiously await the news of MiMi’s baby!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:55h, 16 JanuaryThank you so much, Debbie! We are very excited for Mimi ❤️
Maryellensews
Posted at 07:54h, 16 JanuaryCongrats on another grand baby joining your family !
The sleeves are such a stylish detail., also great color on you !
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:56h, 16 JanuaryMany thanks, Mary Ellen!
Rosalind Clayton
Posted at 08:19h, 16 JanuaryBeautifully done as always Sarah!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:57h, 16 JanuaryThank you so much, Rosalind ~ lining the sleeve flounce made a huge difference 😊
Claire
Posted at 09:08h, 16 JanuaryI love this one Sarah! I may do a shameless copy to wear to our daughter’s Hebrew naming next month in Columbia. I’ve been struggling to find inspiration for something I’m excited to sew and is appropriately modest both for the occasion and my postpartum body. 😀
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:59h, 16 JanuaryCopy away, Claire – This would be perfect for you and the occasion! Hope all goes well in Columbia 😉
Laura Casey
Posted at 09:17h, 16 JanuaryI was so looking forward to seeing this completed….love it! Especially the sleeves-makes garment special….and I DO remember your sequined dress….which I loved because of its simplicity! Enjoy your family…
Laura Casey
Asheville NC
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:00h, 16 JanuaryThank you, Laura! I’m pleased with the result on many levels 😉
Elizabeth H Wellons
Posted at 10:14h, 16 JanuaryWhat a cute dress. Love, love, love that sleeve!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:13h, 16 JanuaryThank you, Cissie – you’d look great in these sleeves! So nice to hear from you 😊
Judy Gordon
Posted at 11:11h, 16 JanuaryTissue, fabric, template. Pull tissue up and snugly around template and press. Gives good results on curves.
Much prefer this to the wrap, knit dress.
Love your posts.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:15h, 16 JanuaryMany thanks for the tip and comment, Judy!
Alice Elliot
Posted at 12:41h, 16 JanuaryDarling dress! Makes me rethink making a dress after unfortunate results fitting this changing 74 y o bod! The only other option I could guess for the sleeve would have been a narrow rolled or serger rolled hem, which might have opened a whole new can of worms!
Congratulations in advance on your newest grandchild. It’s so the best.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:02h, 17 JanuaryThank you, Alice! I considered the rolled hem and serger option, but glad I went with the lining 😊
Make yourself a dress – you won’t regret it!
Catherine
Posted at 13:58h, 16 JanuaryGreat job on the shift dress. The fabric is gorgeous! That colour on you is beautiful. The sleeves definitely add some perzase. I always find my sewing goes wrong when I get to the lining so I often leave them out and wear a petticoat or slip. Do you tack the lining before sewing to make sure it is sitting exactly as it should? Mine go wonky. Perhaps a goal for me this year might be to try and master linings! Anyway the outfit is classy. And those boots complete your ensemble making for a fabulous look.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:01h, 16 JanuaryCatherine,
Thank you so much for your comment 😊
Rarely do I make an unlined dress. For this dress I attached the lining at the neckline and then flipped the lining to the inside of the dress. I highly recommend Susan Khalje’s Craftsy class – The Couture Dress. You’ll learn everything you need to know about dressmaking!
Bonnie Wheaton
Posted at 14:31h, 16 JanuaryMarch 10 is a wonderful day to have a baby (I had my daughter on March 10, 1973). The baby will love looking at the bright pink of your lovely dress. And where did you get those dynamite boots?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:03h, 16 January😊😊Thank you so much, Bonnie! I bought the boots in October 2017 from Kate Spade. I bet you can find them on sale now!!
Margene
Posted at 17:39h, 16 JanuaryThe fit is perfection! So is another grandbaby–congratulations to you and your family.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:54h, 16 JanuaryMany thanks, Margene!
Angie
Posted at 02:29h, 17 JanuaryGorgeous color and I love the simplicity of the shift with some drama in the sleeves. This looks a lot like one of your variations from the Tunic Bible, and I’m curious how this pattern fits compared with that. I’ve made a jewel-neck shift dress from your tunic pattern — just added a center back seam and zipper, and the resulting style looks a lot like this! To address your narrow back, have you tried doing a narrow-back alteration? I have the opposite problem, so I almost always do the broad-back alteration. I think it’s one of the easiest alterations to do and makes all the difference for me.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:06h, 17 JanuaryAngie ~ This fit is slimmer than the tunic and is a straight cut. One of the women at the Plano workshop added a center back seam to her tunic which worked so well for her. 😉
Many thanks for your comment!
Bronwyn David
Posted at 06:11h, 18 JanuarySimple but oh so sophisticated!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:34h, 18 January😉 My favorite way to dress……. and sew! Many thanks.
Vanessa
Posted at 09:28h, 18 JanuaryI love this version! The pink suits you perfectly! Congratulations on another grandbaby! What a lovely blessing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:37h, 18 JanuaryThank you, Vanessa! Indeed we are fortunate beyond belief 😊
Reagan Marshall
Posted at 12:17h, 23 JanuaryI love the version you chose. I have been eyeing this pattern and so glad to see it in real life (versus sketch). It is beautifully made and I do agree, you can wear a shift dress in any season. BTW, you’re rocking those boots!!
Kathleen Tracey
Posted at 08:15h, 24 JanuaryLovely outfit for exciting times!
Nadine Smutny
Posted at 08:06h, 24 FebruaryBeautiful! Did you also line the sleeves…not just the flounce? I am making this dress and am considering how I should go about attaching the sleeve lining.