3 years ago
I was so excited to get my hands on the Dynamic Brushstrokes viscose challis from Minerva’s new exclusive fabric line. The color combinations in this fabric are a perfect match for my “calm summer” color palette and I found the brushstrokes reminiscent of fabrics from the late 1980s and early 1990s, which is so on trend right now! I knew I wanted to work with a vintage pattern and began digging through my mom’s collection.
After polling Instagram I decided to make McCalls’ 6587, described on the pattern envelope as a “turn-about wrap-sundress” with “shoulder straps, gathered waistline, tie belts, and side seam pockets.” I love that the pattern was drafted with the ability to wear the dress with the wrap in either the front or the back. It's such a versatile pattern!
After receiving the fabric in the mail I serged the edges and ran it through the wash and I was surprised it came out even softer than when I put it in! In my experience viscose challis can be a bit shifty so I was careful to cut the pattern pieces out on grain. This pattern didn’t call for any staystitching, but I usually find that helpful when working with viscose challis. And don’t forget the wonders of a hot iron! I find using lots of steam helps me manipulate the fabric to do just what I want it to do and viscose challis is no exception.
The pattern called for “seam binding” which I learned isn’t used much anymore but is an on grain stabilizer usually made of rayon. Since this is an exclusive fabric I decided to use the unique selvage edge to make my own seam binding. Using the white, branded selvage I made a finished tube in the length indicated for my size. The pattern called for the seam binding to go all the way to the raw edge of the fabric, but I placed mine about a half inch below the raw edge since it was already finished. I added the seam binding on top of a few gathered layers and it doesn’t look as neat and tidy inside as I’d like. This was mostly an experiment and if I were to do it again I would leave the top edge of my seam binding raw and make them flush with the raw edge of the skirt and top like the pattern called for, finishing them all together with my serger.
The neckline facing was unique and I might finish the bottom edge differently in the future. I tried the dress on forward and backward before deciding to shorten the straps three inches. I’m still a bit undecided on the skirt length but I’m enjoying how elegant the current length feels and can always shorten it later. Altogether I really like this pattern and am glad I made it with the Minerva Exclusive Dynamic Brushstrokes viscose challis. I wore my new dress to brunch downtown the same day I finished it and felt like a million bucks. The slight breeze rippled through the wrapped skirt and with the temperature nearly 90 and humid feeling and looking cool was a real accomplishment!
Pattern: McCalls’ 6587 (printed in 1979)
Size: Petite 6-8
Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Dynamic Brushstrokes Viscose Challis Fabric
Time: 4-5 hours
Cost to Make:
pattern - gifted, originally $2.00 and currently listed online for $10.00 - $16.00
fabric - gifted, approximately $55.00 value (including shipping) for 2.5 meters
*snap and thread from stash
TOTAL VALUE: $57.00
As a member of the Minerva Maker Team this fabric was gifted to me. All opinions are my own!
#MinervaBrandAmbassador #minervamakes #minervamakers #isew #memade #memades #sewing #sewist #sewists #sewinginspo #sewinginspiration #sew #sewcialist #sewingproject #sewingprojects #sewingideas #sewingprojectideas #sewingpatterninspo #lovesewing #ilovesewing #sewsewsew #sewersgonnasew #makersgonnamake #sewaholic #sewaholics #shareyoursewing #sewinglove #handmadewardrobe #handemadeclothes #isewmyclothes #diyclothes #dressmaking #fabricinspo #seamstress #memadeeveryday #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #fashion #fashionsewing #fashioninspo #memadewardrobe #memadefashion #diyfashion #diywardrobe #youngsewingmama #sewnshownseated #MinervaExclusive #MinervaExclusiveFabrics #viscosechallis #sewviscose #sewvintage #McCallsPatterns
After polling Instagram I decided to make McCalls’ 6587, described on the pattern envelope as a “turn-about wrap-sundress” with “shoulder straps, gathered waistline, tie belts, and side seam pockets.” I love that the pattern was drafted with the ability to wear the dress with the wrap in either the front or the back. It's such a versatile pattern!
After receiving the fabric in the mail I serged the edges and ran it through the wash and I was surprised it came out even softer than when I put it in! In my experience viscose challis can be a bit shifty so I was careful to cut the pattern pieces out on grain. This pattern didn’t call for any staystitching, but I usually find that helpful when working with viscose challis. And don’t forget the wonders of a hot iron! I find using lots of steam helps me manipulate the fabric to do just what I want it to do and viscose challis is no exception.
The pattern called for “seam binding” which I learned isn’t used much anymore but is an on grain stabilizer usually made of rayon. Since this is an exclusive fabric I decided to use the unique selvage edge to make my own seam binding. Using the white, branded selvage I made a finished tube in the length indicated for my size. The pattern called for the seam binding to go all the way to the raw edge of the fabric, but I placed mine about a half inch below the raw edge since it was already finished. I added the seam binding on top of a few gathered layers and it doesn’t look as neat and tidy inside as I’d like. This was mostly an experiment and if I were to do it again I would leave the top edge of my seam binding raw and make them flush with the raw edge of the skirt and top like the pattern called for, finishing them all together with my serger.
The neckline facing was unique and I might finish the bottom edge differently in the future. I tried the dress on forward and backward before deciding to shorten the straps three inches. I’m still a bit undecided on the skirt length but I’m enjoying how elegant the current length feels and can always shorten it later. Altogether I really like this pattern and am glad I made it with the Minerva Exclusive Dynamic Brushstrokes viscose challis. I wore my new dress to brunch downtown the same day I finished it and felt like a million bucks. The slight breeze rippled through the wrapped skirt and with the temperature nearly 90 and humid feeling and looking cool was a real accomplishment!
Pattern: McCalls’ 6587 (printed in 1979)
Size: Petite 6-8
Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Dynamic Brushstrokes Viscose Challis Fabric
Time: 4-5 hours
Cost to Make:
pattern - gifted, originally $2.00 and currently listed online for $10.00 - $16.00
fabric - gifted, approximately $55.00 value (including shipping) for 2.5 meters
*snap and thread from stash
TOTAL VALUE: $57.00
As a member of the Minerva Maker Team this fabric was gifted to me. All opinions are my own!
#MinervaBrandAmbassador #minervamakes #minervamakers #isew #memade #memades #sewing #sewist #sewists #sewinginspo #sewinginspiration #sew #sewcialist #sewingproject #sewingprojects #sewingideas #sewingprojectideas #sewingpatterninspo #lovesewing #ilovesewing #sewsewsew #sewersgonnasew #makersgonnamake #sewaholic #sewaholics #shareyoursewing #sewinglove #handmadewardrobe #handemadeclothes #isewmyclothes #diyclothes #dressmaking #fabricinspo #seamstress #memadeeveryday #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #fashion #fashionsewing #fashioninspo #memadewardrobe #memadefashion #diyfashion #diywardrobe #youngsewingmama #sewnshownseated #MinervaExclusive #MinervaExclusiveFabrics #viscosechallis #sewviscose #sewvintage #McCallsPatterns