Last year I made a special dress to celebrate my birthday, V2000 (DVF wrap dress) in a purple lipstick print. I’m trying to keep the tradition going this year by sewing another special birthday dress! My birthday is Groundhog’s Day, Feb 2nd. This is NOT the right dress for this time of year, but I don’t care 🙂
Not unlike last year, I sewed a wrap dress from the 1970’s. I didn’t plan it that way but now that it’s finished I see the similarity. But this time I chose a reissued Laura Ashley sewing pattern, McCall’s M8358. It is an absolutely darling feminine dress with plenty of ruffles created by the elastic casing. It fits right into the “cottagecore” trend, and certainly keeps true to the Laura Ashley vibe. The dress is reversible in that the lower cut crossover can be in front, or you can wear it with a scooped, more square neckline, crossed in back. I am somewhat preferring the crossed part in back because otherwise it’s a little too “busty”, but I like the concept of it being reversible. I sewed my little custom sewing label in on the side so I can choose both ways without interference.
I decided to make view B without the ruffle, only because it already uses an exceptional amount of yardage. I had a pink and white gingham lightweight fabric (unsure of what kind) I had purchased when Joann Fabrics was still in business, and it was perfect for a birthday dress! Especially since my favorite color is pink.
Two really important tips about this dress. I read this from another sewist, and it is great advice! Add 4″ to the elastic around the bodice because many ladies are reporting the armscye are very tight otherwise. Additionally, adding 4-5″ to each waist tie results in a nicer bigger bow.
Below here is what I mean about the dress being reversible. You can wear it either way.
I recently struck a bit of luck on Facebook marketplace, and acquired over 8 years (for only $16!) of a gorgeous peach fabric with white eyelets. I am going to be making the view A with that fabric, that’s how much I liked this pattern! I think it just speaks to my innate love for romantic, highly feminine silhouettes, and these dresses are comfortable to wear (at least they will be when it’s warmer out. It’s in the negative degree temperatures in Indiana lately.
