Trench Dress: McCalls 6279

 

 

The Facts

Fabric: Salmon Pink (or is Coral? I can’t decide). Matte Satin Fabric at RM9 /USD3 a yard, it is called ‘Matte Satin’ – I found it in the upholstery section. View A of this dress requires 2 yards (60 inch width). There’s a matte side (the wrong side) and the satin shiny side (the right side).  I used the matte (wrong side) for this dress as I didn’t want to look PINK AND SHINY!  After I cut out the fabric, I think pink is an unconventional colour for trench dresses, but oh well, I need to work through my stash before I buy new fabric!

Pattern: McCalls 6279, gifted (Thank you!!)

Notions: 10 large cover buttons, 4 medium cover buttons.  I bought the cover button set from Daiso at RM5 a pack, if anyone has a cheaper resource, do buzz me as I love cover buttons!

Time to complete: I didn’t count, I did it intermittently over 2 weeks. 

First worn: Today in my garage

Wear again? Yes! To work tomorrow, but perhaps I will tone down the pink with a brown belt instead.

Total Cost: Approximately RM30/USD10

Pattern Notes and Thoughts:

The pattern was labelled ‘EASY’ on the envelope. Although the construction wasn’t that tough, it’s time consuming.  The fit is very good, I didn’t have to make any alterations at all to the size 12 I cut.  I love the epaulets at the shoulders (the pointed loops, I learned a new word!), they make the dress very smart. The pointed belt loops with the buttons at the back are also a nice detail.  I also like the collar details, the little stand up collars than followed by lapels.

The only change I did to the dress was I interfaced the facing for the front double breast sections. The instructions call for interfacing the main fabric instead of the facings. I did it because I learned from the sewing community that interfacing tends to wrinkle after a wash and sometimes may also cause wrinkles to the fabric that it is adhered to; but if you are using a heavy fabric for your dress, I do not think it will matter much.

{Edited to add: Now that I see the pictures, I think it’s ‘TOO PINK’?  I should have used some normal buttons instead of covered ones?  Perhaps if I find some nice ones at the store I may replace them, but it’s a real waste of 14 covered buttons (which costs RM10!) and the local craft store doesn’t carry a good choice of larger buttons in 7/8 or 1 inch size…what do you think? Too Pink?}