McCalls 5974- Wrap Dress in Black and White

This weekend I wrapped up McCalls 5974, the Palmer & Pletsch wrap dress.  I wasn't really thrilled with it until I wore it to work today.

Here's a shot of the pattern envelope.  I made the view with the wrap over bodice like the red print dress and the green solid dress:

It's really kind of hard to see the dress details in my fabric, a black and white poly knit that I bought at Hancock's a few weeks ago.  Now that I've worn it, I like it more than I thought I did.

I cut a 14 through the shoulders and a 16 from the bust down.  The dress ended up very wide on me.  I took it in about 3/8" from wrist to hem and then another  3/8" from just under the bust to the hip to get it to fit correctly.

I added about 1.5" of length at the waist- about 3/4" to the waistband (which is hidden under the sash) and another 3/4" to the skirt just below the band.  I also added approximately 3/4" of width to the bicep.    

The length was the reason I didn't really like this dress at first.  I made my standard adjustments, but I didn't really move the sash down significantly to compensate.  You see I wanted the sash to completely cover the waistband like it does in the pattern photos.  The finished sash wraps around my lower rib cage, not really around my natural waist, which is slightly uncomfortable.  And the waistband peeps out at the center front anyway.

But after wearing the dress and seeing the photos, I don't really mind the sash placement.  and my print is so busy no one will ever notice the waist band.

I did not make my standard petite adjustment above the bust because I was afraid of not having enough length in the bodice.  I should have made the adjustment.  Sigh...

Considering how much I had to take the dress in at the sides and how roomy the bust is, if I were to make this dress again, I would probably just go down a size.  But I probably won't make it again.  There are other wrap dress patterns in my stash that I'm itching to try and even though I like this dress, it isn't so wonderful that I need another one.

I pretty much followed the instructions on this pattern, except that I left out the back zipper (it's a knit!!!) and I added clear elastic to the neckline.  It snugs up nicely and doesn't gape, but I still added a small safety pin for work just to keep things modest.

I'm glad I made it, and I'm sure I'll wear this dress a lot, but I'm going to put the pattern back in the box.

I sure like the light in that last photo.  You'd never know it was kind of nippy out today while I was getting these pictures.  I sure wish we'd hurry up and get some warm spring breezes.  I'm starting to get excited about sewing with crisp cottons and linens, sweet florals, and seersucker!

What are your spring sewing plans?