One of the best parts of sewing your own clothes is being able to identify and bring to life silhouettes that fit your body and personal style. The McCalls 7954, a mix-and-match pattern, allowed me to combine three of my favorites: a circle skirt (option 4) with and fitted bodice and bandeau halter neckline (option 1). Although it was a challenging make (oh, those pesky invisible zippers!), I couldn't be more pleased with the final product. It's a dress that's so very me... not an easy feat for someone with strong sartorial preferences.
Why I love this silhouette
Like most people, my body has changed over time (oh hey, motherhood and aging). But one thing that's remained consistent is that I have a large bust—fluctuating between a DD and F cup—and narrow rib cage, which makes it hard to find tops that fit snugly while also providing enough coverage. Bandeau-style tops work for me: they help minimize my bust and create a more proportional silhouette, especially when combined with a flared circle skirt.
Why I chose Merchant and Mills Indian cotton
When I first started planning this dress, I was thinking silk or satin viscose... something shiny and glamorous and decadent. But I also had to be true to my personal style, and over the years I've realized I'm a "casual elegance" kind of gal. that means I like to dress down ultra-feminine silhouettes with simpler fabrics like cotton or linen (Ulla Johnson is a huge source of inspiration on that front!). So for this dress, I chose Merchant and Mills' Forest Haze Indian Block Print Cotton, an earthy, olive green floral print with coral, indigo, and cream accents. The pattern also called for underlining, so I used the Cloud9 Cirrus Solid in Sand for the bodice underlining and skirt lining, and self-lined the bodice with the primary fabric (that totals to three layers of fabric for the bodice, and two for the skirt). These combined to create a structured-yet-comfortable bodice and a lightweight, voluminous skirt that twirls like a dream.
Why I'll absolutely make this dress again
I love this design, and I'm eager to try out the other bodice option that includes straps instead of a halter. I'll admit that the zipper installation threw me off, and the finishing isn't quite as tidy as I'd like. So the prospect of a second draft is exciting—I'm determined to perfect it this time around! Perhaps a Valentine's Day dress is in the cards, but until then I'm going to ring in the new year in this little number.
