Mc-Call Me May Be Until September

McCall's 6112 became a surprise hit for me, but not as big a hit as Carly Jepsen's single "Call Me Maybe" that ruled the pop charts and the You-Tube scene with countless videos of lip-synching fans.
 I just discovered that this pattern is already out of print:

McCall's 6112 at the McCall's website

I was inspired to purchase this pattern by the very nice results obtained reviewers of this pattern at Pattern Review.  But I did not sew it immediately because I was not sure whether or not the kimono-style sleeves with the elasticized waistline will suit me.  As I was looking for a simple, on-trend  knit dress for summer similar, I decided to give this pattern a chance.  I made the dress with the split sleeves (view B) nearly a month and a half ago and with each passing day, the details become more sketchy. What I recall well was that this dress is very simple to make with its four pieces (front/back of bodice and front/back of skirt) and the drape of the fabric and fabric of the fabric sets the tone or the character of the dress. ITY fabric has not given me consistent results in terms of stitch quality and stability of the hems. To make the hems and neckline reliably stable prior to topstitching, I iron pressed strips of interfacing to their edges.

Wearing my McCall's 6112 officially for the first time:  at Balboa Park, The Plaza de Panama Fountain near the San Diego Natural Museum (pictured on the right). The fabric is an ITY knit from fabric.com.

Pattern Description: "MISSES' DRESSES IN TWO LENGTHS AND CAMISOLE: Dresses A, B, C have bodice variations and straight skirt with elastic casing; dress A has front cowl; dress B has short kimono sleeves with slit and purchased nailheads or studs; dress C has short kimono sleeves and front pockets; dresses A, B lengths are approximately 4" above mid-knee; dress C length is approximately 1" above mid-knee; camisole D has stitched hems; purchased belt."

Pattern Sizing: Misses' 4-6-8-10-12. I sewed a "12" except a "10" at the shoulders. Expect extra ease due to the relaxed style of this dress.

If you have sewn dresses especially those that have what I call "inner elasticized topstitched casing", then you will find this a quick gratification project.

Favorite/Not-so Favorite Features
 It's simple to make, comfortable, on-trend with the "cold-shoulder" detail, and versatile for infinite style options. While raising my arms above shoulder level it could be somewhat revealing due to the low side seams and a wearing a camisole would solve this issue. Otherwise, the flowing kimono nearly elbow length sleeves do a decent job of hiding the sides. On me, the elasticized waistline coupled with the fabric has a slight tendency to "ride up" a little at the waist. Hence the skirt hem becomes somewhat asymmetrical. Although I used a 1/2" instead of the pattern's recommended 3/4" elastic, a narrower elastic as used by some reviewers of this pattern would have seemed to taken care of the issue. Occasionally I would make a quick tug here and there to compensate for the elastic's movement, which does not bother me too much.

 

Alterations I don't recall making adjustments to bodice. I may have shortened the skirt an inch shorter than intended.

Recommendations
I still recommend this pattern. If you like simple chic, then this dress fits the bill.

My nine-year old photographer also by the fountain with a better view of the S.D. Natural Museum. She is wearing a Simplicity 3515 Hannah Montana top I sewed for her last year, which fits better now.

  

After visiting "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" at the museum, Heather took a photo opportunity with a "beary good" captain of the ship.


Happy Sewing!