Perfect Weekend Dress: Fabric Mart guest post

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving! I know I was ready for a break. For those of you who love Black Friday I hope you grabbed all the doorbusters on your list!

FINALLY! Fall is creeping in here in the south. It was warm through Halloween here, but a chill is definitely in the air now (well at least in the mornings). Summer is probably my favorite season to sew for, simply because I love sundresses and they are such a breeze to make. However, I do enjoy creating certain cold weather looks like sweaters, jackets and capes. One day I’m going to make a true coat, but that’s not today.

I paired my DIY dress with a DIY Infinty scarf, bright blue tights and Steve Madden knee boots (old)

Today I bring you this perfect weekend dress. Whether you are headed out to run errands, to meet your girlfriends for brunch or to meet up with the crew to watch a football game you’ll be dressed for it. This dress can be worn with tights and booties, fishnets and heeled boots or legging and chucks. Just change out a scarf for gold jewelry and you’ve instantly gone from day to night.

New Look 6298 is a raglan sleeve knit dress with several options; a scoop or V neck, a narrow hem or a band hem, three-quarter or full sleeves, knee length or below the knee and lastly pockets are no pockets. I’ve had this pattern in my stash for at LEAST a year, maybe two. Though very simple, I remember instantly picking it up. For once I think it was the pattern model that got me! She looks comfortable and put together and that’s what I want.

Paired here with argyle tights and wedge booties from Target (here)

I chose this wool blend knit because I wanted this to be cold weather dress. I love this wool knit, though I wished I picked another color for the sake of better photos, it has a great feel I can’t quite explain other than to call it luxe. It feels just like a ponte or double knit but with the coziness of wool. My biggest fear was that it would itch, but in the time I worked with it and wore the dress for photos I had no issues. I’m not the most sensitive to wool though. Sadly this fabric is sold out and unfortunately I didn’t grab a screenshot of the description. I believe it is a double knit as it is similar in weight to most of the ponte knit I own. Fabric Mart currently has several wool blend jersey and interlock knits to choose from that I believe would be similar in feel just lighter weight. Take a look here.

I sewed View B minus the pocket, because I did not have enough fabric. Let this be a reminder to you (because it was for me) to always check the width of fabric while ordering. At 54″ wide (instead of 60″) I could not layout the pattern as shown in the instructions. I had to get very creative with my pattern piece placement to squeeze everything on my 2yds and the pockets didn’t make the cut.

Paired with patterned fishnets and Jessica Simpson leather/suede booties (old)

This pattern was a breeze to sew up as it only has 4 pieces, front, back, sleeve, neck band. I found it interesting that the raglan sleeve had a dart but I looked at a few other raglan sleeved patterns (like McCalls 6992) and I realized this was not unusual.

Sleeve Dart

Center back seam

 

Other than that everything was simple and straight forward. I’ve heard/read others sewists say this pattern runs large and perhaps it does. I haven’t sewn enough New Look patterns to have a go to size. I cut a 16 based on the finished bust measurements and knowing I wanted a looser fit. However I did end up taking a half inch out at the back center seam. I graded from the top of the seam out to a half inch so that I wouldn’t have to make any adjustments to my neck band.  Next time I may go down a size on the back piece for a more fitted look.

My first V Neck band

Even though I’ve been sewing for three years, this was my first time attaching a V neck band. I’ve heard they could be tricky and I was certain it would take a few attempts. To my surprise I got it on the first try. I’m not sure if it really isn’t that difficult, the instructions were incredibly clear or I was just lucky, but everything came together once I got all my markings lined up correctly. My topstitching could be better but I am pleased with it.

I will definitely be making this dress again likely with a different color of wool knit if Fabric Mart gets more in stock. I’ll be keeping a look out for a bright red or a deep green.

Pattern:  New Look 6298

Pattern Description: Misses’ easy Just4Knits dress is what you are looking for this season! Knit dress with options that include V or scoop neck, long or three-quarter sleeve, pockets and cut lines for length variation. New Look sewing pattern. I made View B.

Sizing: 10-22 in one envelope. I cut a 16 based on my 38″ bust.

Difficulty: 2/easy

Fabric Used: Black wool blend double knit from Fabric Mart

Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Yes it does!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very!

Likes: I like to raglan sleeves and V neck. I like that the pattern includes different sleeve, neck and length options.

Dislikes: None

Pattern alterations or any design changes made: I took in the back about a half inch. I probably could have cut a 14 all around but because I only had an issue with the fullness in the back next time I think I’ll cut a size 16 front and a 14 back.

Would I sew it again? Yes I plan to make it again in a jewel tone and maybe a fleece or sweater knit.

Would I recommend it to others? Yes if you’re looking for a comfy yet cute dress.

Conclusion: A great dress for lounging or heading out.