You called me on it: a great pattern question
McCall's M5849--I have the title, and almost the shape of the pattern, memorized. The pieces I have are soft and beginning to tear here and there, having been taped and untaped and folded on all sides at one point. I've made a LOT of dresses out of it! I love it so much. In fact, when you do a Google image search for it, a big chunk of what comes up first is from my blog.
The problem? It's out of print. I got a question from a reader the other day, asking if I had any suggestions for a similar pattern to buy instead.
Thanks for calling me on my hang-ups! I know it's not very helpful to say what a great pattern this is when no one can buy it anymore. So thanks, Allisson, for your email!
A very similar pattern that still is in print is Simplicity 4070.
The pattern for the strapless bodice is essentially the same thing as my McCall's standby. If you use this Simplicity version and give it a simple gathered skirt, you get the same result. This one has a slightly more pronounced sweetheart neckline but I'm betting that's the biggest difference, and that can be easily changed when you cut.
I love this pattern so much because it's so versatile. I've altered it all kinds of ways and it's just a great sloper and basic jumping off point when you have a design in mind.
Here I am in some of my fave versions!
With a midriff panel and ruffle fabric skirt, at my bachelorette party... (tutorial coming!)
At my bridal shower... (loooove this dress, hope to wear it again sometime!)
In yellow seersucker with a pleated skirt...
With a shirred over layer...
Seriously one of my favorite dresses ever. I wore this like once a week last summer. No good pics of me in it, though... But here it is. I often belted it.
A hot pink silk version at my cousin's wedding...
As a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding, with a pleated overlay on the bodice:
I even made my wedding dress from it. No, seriously. The pattern for this lovely thing was that simple--plus some shaped straps and a circle skirt.
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| By Studio 623 Photography |
Have you been creative with a basic pattern in many ways? I'm sure a lot of us have favorite/standby patterns! (Plus, it's way easier to make a dress when you don't have to cut out all the pieces from a brand new pattern, bleh...)
I'd love to hear your pattern stories!
See all my uses of McCall's M5849 here!