New Look 6022 or 'a dress from a dress'

 

 

 

 

 

 

    It's been one of 'those' days! The little people seemed to be totally wired and despite my best efforts involving a two hour dog walk, car cleaning, and various garden based activities I did not manage to tire them out or calm them down until bedtime. They were very enthusiastic photographers, but most of the photos are of random things or have fingers in the way, or I look like a wally (to be honest that is quite normal for me!).

  I had traced out the pattern for the 'Drapey knit dress' from the new GBSB book thinking that I might be able to make it up using a jersey fabric rather than the recommended pointe roma - I loved wandering how all of the bizarrely shaped pieces would fit together! Whilst getting out my chosen fabric the sensible voice in my head reminded me that I was not an experienced sewist and that I really should stick to the recommended fabric - it is recommended for a reason! Perhaps it should be an autumn make rather than a spring/summer version!

  So this left me with a problem - when not at work I like to wear leggings (of various lengths, weather dependant) teamed with skirts/dresses/long tunics. Many of my old favourites are looking just that - old! And with this amazing Easter weather I am in need of suitable garments! I looked through my pattern stash for something practical and comfortable and came across New Look 6022:



 

 

 I have lots of fabric in my ever growing fabric stash but in the corner of my bedroom is a pile of clothes that I don't wear but think that I could use the fabric for something (please tell me that everyone's bedroom is like this!). In this pile was this lovely maxi dress:

 

 

  Being ample of bosom I cannot wear this without a top underneath which I feel defeats the purpose of a 'sundress' so it doesn't get much wear but I have always loved the fabric - so I wondered if I could upcycle it!

 

  New Look 6022 is an easy loose fitting shift dress with several sleeve options. I chose to make view B with capped sleeves - I love them they are so cute! And as I have huge arms (I expect due to years of lifting children - rather than years of eating cake!) I often find sleeves very tight so the capped sleeve is perfect for me.

 

 

Capped sleeves - my new favourite sleeve option!



 

The instructions were easy to follow, my version is a little shorter than the pattern as I struggled to get the length onto the remains of my dress and I wasn't able to pattern match at all due to some fabric flaws that were not obvious on the flowing maxi dress but would have been on a shift dress. I made a size 16 but think I could have made a 14 on top and graded out to a 16 from the waist down as without the belt it does look a bit nightdressy. If I made it again I might include the elastic on the back of version A just to bring the waist in a little. I also wish I had included pockets (I feel lost without pockets to put all the bits of Lego in that I am constantly picking up!). I suppose I could add patch pockets, but I think the fabric might be a little thin for them and I'm not sure it would look right.

 

 

First beach walk not needing coats, hats etc! Hurrah!

 

The back - the neckline is a little loose and the button pulls it down in the centre - even when I changed the button for a lighter one.

 



 

One of the three reasons why my arms are so 'muscular'

 

 

  Thanks for stopping by!

 

              Su xx