Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Completed Project: McCall's 6997 - 1990s Floral Romper



 So this floral romper is the most comfortable piece of clothing I have ever made.  True story!  I used McCall's 6997, copyright 1994.  Hard to believe that I was a junior in high school the year this pattern was published! 


I remember this particular style of roomy romper / jumper dress being popular during the 1990s, but I somehow missed ever owning one.  I cut the size 10 and probably could have gone even smaller, but I actually dig the roominess.


Back view.  This romper involved lots of gathering.  From the back, you can really tell this is a romper, but I received several compliments on my "cute dress" when I wore it to work the other day, so it's almost imperceptible to the naked eye (and the business of the print probably helps).   


 Side view.  You can really see the fullness of the the romper here. 


 Here's a link to the fabric I used!  It's floral rayon challis from Wanderlust Fabrics.  I'm so delighted with this fabric!  It was so easy to work with and the drape is absolutely dreamy!  From the very first moment I saw it, I knew that it would be the perfect fabric to use for my retro 1990s romper.  In fact, it's described by Wanderlust Fabrics as "90s Inspired."


Front and back views, sans human model.


Cap sleeves.  I finished the interior seams and pockets with my serger and hand sewed the facings into place by hand.  I used a blind hem stitch for the bottom hem.


Close-up of a few details: Gathers and the self-fabric covered buttons.  It's hard to even see the buttons due to the extreme business of the print!


This romper was super-easy to put together.  Between the cost of the fabric, pattern (found at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore for only .25 cents!) and covered buttons, it only set me back about $20.00....SCORE!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

In the Works!

I have a couple projects currently in the works!  First of all, I scored an amazing 1970s pantsuit at the Goodwill in Black Mountain, NC that I want to alter into something more wearable.  Here it is in all of its tacky floral polyester glory!  I'm keeping the pants as is; all they need is to be taken in at the elastic waistline.  





I'm definitely going to reconstruct the butterfly collar shirt and mix it with a solid colored stretch knit fabric.  I'm thinking about using the Briar pattern as a template. 


And here's a preview of my latest make.  All I have left is the bottom hem!  I used an incredible rayon from Wanderlust Fabrics.  The pattern is from 1994 and I thought the floral print was very reminiscent of the 1990s, especially when it comes to baby doll jumpers, which is the view I'm making.