New Look N6692

This month’s dress is heavily influenced by Instagram, but not from one of the lovely accounts that I follow, from one of those annoying ads that pop up in your feed. I kept on seeing this square neck dress from Tesco’s made in a stunning yellow and orange vintage style floral print, and I could not get it out of my head. I even saw a lady wearing it one day when I was out and that was it, my mind was made up, I was going to treat myself to it.

This was the dress I’m referring to ..

Sadly by the time I came to this decision it had sold out in my size, and quite by chance I was looking through the beautiful fabrics on the Like Sew Amazing site and came across a stunning vintage style yellow and orange cotton viscose, which looked quite similar, and that was it, my mind was made up. I would make one myself. I think that this fabric might now be sold out as I purchased it in June, but her fabric collection is certainly worth a peek anyway.

The pattern I used is New Look 6692, and whilst not exactly the same as my inspiration, I liked it, and thought it would make something quite similar to what I was after.

I chose to make view A, (with the sleeves), but with the skirt length of View B.

Choosing the size to make is always tricky, and normally I would make a toile of a fitted bodice like this to make sure that the fit was right, but I didn’t have time as I wanted to take this dress on holiday with me and I needed it like yesterday! Why of why do we do this to ourselves?!

Looking at what size to cut, I was scratching my head a bit. My measurements atm are 35-31-40 which put me all over the place on the pattern sizing chart. I did notice that the ease on this pattern is 3″ and didn’t think that I quite wanted that with this style of fitted bodice. I took a bit of a risk, and lazily cut out a straight size 10 and luckily it paid off. My height is 5’2″ btw.

It’s quite an involved make. With something like 14 pattern pieces it was never going to be a quick sew, which was unfortunate as I wanted it asap! However all those pattern pieces give you a dress with a nicely finished lined bodice (to name but one thing) and the finished result is really worth all the effort that went into it. I would rate this pattern as suitable for an intermediate sewist – there is a cheeky little invisible zip on the side bodice/skirt, and some elasticated gathering on the back bodice. The bodice itself is made from several pieces (not to mention the matching lining pieces), so you would definitely need some sewing experience under your belt to get on with this pattern.

Things that I like about this pattern…

I love the square neckline front and back. Especially how the bodice has shaped yoke pieces giving it a gentle curve up from the horizontal part of the neckline which is so flattering and also means that your bra straps don’t show. Actually, let’s be honest, when I first tried this dress on my straps did show a little, but a quick change into another and this was fine.

I like the sleeves. They have a gathered head and finish with a very subtle gather created using narrow elastic. There is an elastic guide pattern piece for the elastic length needed, but I like to actually measure my upper arm where the sleeve will end and make my own measurement, erring on the loose side of things ‘cos there is nothing worse than an elasticated sleeve that is too tight on your arm.

The back. Well now, when I first saw this pattern I thought the back panel was created using shirring elastic, and we all love a bit of shirring on a Summer dress now don’t we? However this gathered back panel is made using several strips of 1/4″ elastic threaded through channels that have been sewn. This gives a very firm, more restricted stretch rather than the super stretchy finish that a regular shirred panel would give. It was fun to make though! I wasn’t sure about the little tie on the upper back initially, (which is shocking because you know how much I swoon over ties), I had reservations that it would be a bit too much with the gathering and all, but I kind of like it now.

Finally the skirt length is so nice on me and I’m really digging the deep ruffle. So pretty.

Pockets. It has pockets.

This is a challenging and more time consuming make, but definitely worth it. I did finish it in time for my holiday and took it with me with the intention of getting some romantic sunset beach shots with it, but in the we didn’t find ourselves at the beach at sunset so we’ll have to settle for the cute English corn field vibe instead!

This dress has certainly made me want to explore more square necked outfits, and now that it has finally been photographed I am delighted that I can actually enjoy wearing it now! Does anyone else have to wait until their garments are photographed before they feel comfortable actually wearing it? Hands up. I am such a messy clumsy person I would guaranteed end up with stains on it if I didn’t wait.

Take care and I’ll be back soon,

Kathy x @sewdainty

Thanks to the hubby for taking my pics as always.