McCall's 5574... in Zebra Stripes

I mentioned previously that I had made another dress for the Princess. Well, here it is, McCalls 5574, View B.

The dress has a self faced bodice with a V-neck. It ties behind the neck. The midriff is also self faced and has a mock belt with purchased buckle. The skirt is A-line.

This pattern is really made for wovens, but I went ahead and used this cotton knit from Hobby Lobby. The Princess loved the pink zebra print and I thought the fabric would work okay. It turned out just that: okay. I might have to make this again with a woven just to give the pattern a fighting chance.

I cut a size 10 with the size 12 length, and then added an additional inch to the bottom of the skirt. It turned out just long enough. What is up with the super-short hems these days? I omitted the waist ties and just added an additonal piece of elastic at the waist seam in back, using the seam allowances to make a casing. I had to really snug that elastic up to get a good fit on my girl. I think the stretchy fabric caused the back to fit more loosely than it should have. (Yep, I should have used a woven.)

I do not like the front "mock belt." The instructions are ridiculous- the belt is folded at the corners and then caught into the side seam. It sags and flops around very unattractively. If I make this again, I'll just cut it the width of the midriff piece and 1.5 to 2 times as tall. Then I'll just gather the entire side edge and baste it to the midriff piece, like a stay. The buckle will hold the fullness in the center.

The Princess loves the dress in spite of my issues with it. The halter style is one of her favorites, and of course, it's pink, and zebra. I still think the pattern is cute and has potential. (It also sews up really quick- I made this in an afternoon and I am a slow sewer!) I'd really like to try it again in a more suitable fabric. The pattern envelope shows it made up in white eyelet, and of course, a pretty print would look good, too. I also might like to try the view with the gathered neckline.

In other sewing news, I only have about half a dozen projects going right now, and one of them is a second version of V1250, this time in a print! I hope to have it done by this weekend.

How is your sewing going?