SUMMER MAXI DRESS | MCCALL'S 7405
I woke up on my birthday (8/8) and decided to make a new summer maxi dress to wear out to dinner with my son. The fact that we can do things like that as creators is AMAZING! I pulled out a simple pattern and had my dress ready hours before dinner. And I LOVE it! Let’s get into the details.
Pattern Information
McCall’s 7405 is a “LEARN TO SEW FOR FUN” Pattern. It is designed with the beginner in mind. I love working with these patterns for several reasons. 1) They’re quick and easy for me to sew. 2) Since they usually have minimal design details, they’re a great choice to practice matching large designs, plaids, and stripes. 3) They make great Sew Alongs for beginners.
This is a loose-fitting, sleeveless, pullover dress that gathers at the neckline using a drawstring. It has a slit at the center back neckline and includes hem variations. View C has a side slit and includes a separate tie belt. View D has an elasticized waist.
The pattern is available in both PDF and Print options, with a size range of 4 – 26.
Fabric Information
The pattern suggests Medium Weight Woven and Knits, such as Challis, Cotton Knit, Crepe, and Gauze. The first time I made the dress in July, 2016 (9 years ago), I used this beautiful Gauze from JoAnn Fabrics. It was lightweight, flowy and very comfortable. Here are a few photos.
This time I used a Tencel Twill in Army Green from Mood Fabrics, Los Angeles. It’s absolutely perfect for this dress. While a bit thicker than the gauze, it still has a lovely drape with a soft and silky feel against the skin.
Inside the Garment
I used my Baby Lock Chorus sewing machine and Vibrant Serger to sew the dress. Here are some closeup photos of the inside of the dress.
Notions Information
The only notions required are Single Fold Bias Tape and 3/4″ Elastic. If you’re looking for a new place to purchase sewing notions, Wawak and Amazon are great options. I also used these METAL AGLETS to seal the ends of my drawstring for a clean finish. I found out about these through Karen from @intostitches on Instagram. When I saw her demonstrating these little gems, I ran to Amazon so fast. If I were running physically, I probably would have fallen. Hahahah!!! They are AMAZING and so easy to use.
I used my new DRAWSTRING THREADING TOOL that has completely leveled up the game when it comes to threading elastics and cords through casings. Oh My GOODNESS!!! Using this tool was a breeze and I’ve never threaded elastic so quickly in all the years I’ve been sewing. You’re gonna want to grab one for yourself if you thread elastics and drawstrings. I’ll be demonstrating how amazing it is in an upcoming Sew Along. (Hint…Hint 😉)
Alterations Information
I did not make any alterations this time, but I will certainly raise the underarm for more coverage the next time I make the dress. I forgot how low it was the last time I made it in 2016.
Styling Options
Summer isn’t over yet! It’s still very hot in my town, so the dress is great for the weather. This is a very simple design that lends itself easily to casual or dressy wear. I styled it casually for the dinner date with my son. I wore my favorite animal print Mary Janes, gold jewelry, and a camel colored crossbody bag. I took along an animal print scarf just in case the restaurant was cool.
To dress is up a bit, I’ve added my chocolate kitten heel sandals, and bucket bag.
You could easily make this a formal gown, by changing the fabric and dropping the hem just a bit (or not). Add your diamonds (or rhinestone) jewelry. Pair it with a pair of shiny shoes and bling purse, and you’re ready for the special event.
I had a lovely time with my son at dinner. He had flowers on the table when I arrived. Our conversation was lovely and I felt so blessed just spending time with him.
I found these awesome bracelets on Amazon and had to get one for both of my sons. It comes with a beautiful message from mom “To My Son” and a polish cloth. You can also have the person’s name engraved on the inside of the metal. He loved it.
This is the message card that comes with the bracelet. I pray daily for my sons. After Jesus, my sons hold the best place in my heart.
What do you think?
I would love to hear your feedback. Scroll to the very bottom of this page to leave a comment.
Thank you for stopping by today! 💕
Other Related Links
- Sewing Project Checklist
- Learn to SEW Course
- Baby Lock Soprano
- Baby Lock Vibrant
- Baby Lock Euphoria
- Baby Lock Chorus
(DISCLAIMER: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. All opinions in this post are my own.).)
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This Post Has 65 Comments
Love this dress on you! I love the tencel twill fabric in army green…another classic! Thanks for sharing! What a wonderful on you have!
What a wonderful son you have!
Very pretty dress. I have this pattern and not sure why I have not made it 😊.
Changing the fabric and length is a game changer to make it look different each time.
Thank you and looking forward to the sew a long too
Happy Belated Birthday and the dress is beautiful, God bless you
So Beautiful Anita! Happy Belated Birthday!!
Happy birthday 🎂
Very nice!
Happy Birthday Anita!!! You look so beautiful in your new dress.
Both you and the dress are absolutely gorgeous! How wonderful to share your birthday with your son. I have 2 sons, as well, and I enjoy our times together. The light of Jesus really shines through you! 🩷 So happy that I’m part of your sewing community!
Happy Belated Birthday Queen. You and the dress look fabulous. I hope you had an amazing dinner with your son, and, as always, you did a perfect job matching fabric to pattern. Blessings!
Happy Birthday Anita.
Your dress looks lovely on you only wish I could wear something like this
Happy Birthday, May God continue you to bless you.
You look very pretty–Happy Birthday and I wish you many more.
I’m sure you had a dynamic birthday celebration. You look beautiful in your birthday dress! You didn’t waste any time completing this dress well before your dinner date. That’s the sign of a pro!!
You look beautiful…. Especially with that gorgeous smile! Happy Birthday
Gorgeous and Blessed! Love you, your son, and your dress! I can’t get over that you made that in one day with time to spare!!!
Happy Birthday, Anita. You always spread the light and love, and we are grateful to know you!
Happy belated birthday Anita! You have great style and an inspiration for the sewing community. I’m new to sewing and seeing the fabric selection for the pattern has been helpful. Thank you and I love everyone of you post.
Happy Birthday Anita, wishing you blessings always.
Anita I love everything you make & I prefer for me something lower neck as I’ve been chocked & anything too close to the neck triggers me. I noticed you can loosen around the neck on the dress, I’ll give it a go as its my birthday 26 September & it would be nice to make my own dress. Thanks for your beautiful style.
Happy Birthday Anita! You looked beautiful in all the dresses shown on your post!!!! Thank you for sharing.
Happy Birthday and hope the year ahead is wonderful in every way! The dress looks lovely and I can’t believe you made it so quickly! I know it’s an easy pattern but still…you are amazing! You are right that it could work for a formal occasion in different fabric because I bought a very similar full-length gown in a dressy lightweight black knit fabric with gold accents for a black tie wedding this past June – there was an elasticized gold necklace through the neck casing and the elasticized waist gave a blouson effect. The skirt had set-in knife pleats in the fabric and it was very comfortable to wear. I think it’s a really classic style – the one you made several years ago would look just as good today! So nice to see the love between you and your wonderful son – may God bless you both generously!
Thank you, Mary Jean! Wow! Your formal dress sounds amazing. I’m sure you looked and felt beautiful. Yes, the first one I made can certainly be worn now. The cotton fabric was super comfortable in hot weather. God bless you too, sister.💕
Happy birthday Anita. I was so excited to see you that you sewn M7405 pattern. This is next in my queue to and I am advanced beginner. I have took up sew again during COVID and have been sewing garment in earnest for about a year. I made the one seam sundress with your sew a long last summer . I now realize as a plus size petit Sistah that sewing is a few things. Picking the patterns and using the sewing machine are the fun parts however for something true wearable that I love I will have to learn to grade between sizes, make a muslin and fix fit issues and most importantly chose the correct fabric for the pattern design your making. It is a lot! But I’m committed and patient. You look fabulous in your birthday dress. And I’m hopping in 9 years from now that my sew skill will allow the inside of my dress to look as clean and beautiful as yours. Your son is so very handsome I’m a boy mom too. After I complete M7405 dress I’m going to your sew along for M7774 I’m going to do view C because I’m short . I carry most of my weight on the bottom half of my body so based on the finished garment measurements I’m go to go. Can’t wait to make my two dresses.
Hi Yvette! You’ve put such a smile on my heart with your comment. I hear the excitement as you share. Yes, it’s a lot to learn but the journey is so precious and rewarding. Every time I learn something new to add to my sewing skills, I feel so happy. When you said, “But I’m committed and patient”, my heart leaped for joy because that’s the key. If you keep that attitude, it will take you far. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it happens in time when you commit. Keep sewing and learning, my sister. Master every new skill and take your time. You don’t have to wait 9 years for the insides of your garments to look nice. Start now! Take your time and build a foundation that incorporates clean finishes. I’m excited for you to sew your two dresses. Happy to hear that your one seam sundress was a success. Happy Sewing, Yvette! Thank you for being here. 💕
Happy Belated Birthday the dress loos great on you.
Thank you💕
Happy Birthday, although belated. Dress looks great, you have a terrific eye for color. Love the lines of the dress.
Thank you, Sonia💕
Thank you, Miss Anita. I love the dress! It’s very easy and simple to make. I will share it and add it to my pattern list.
Happy belated birthday! 🎉 🎂 The eighth was also my daughter’s birthday as well. She also decided to spend her special day and visit me . Yay!!!
That smile on your son‘s face is priceless! You made his day as well. Continued joy, happiness, and blessings.
Hi Elizabeth! Well, Happy belated Birthday to your daughter. And what a JOY that she spent it with you. I KNOW your heart was smiling real big. Sending blessings your way too. 💕
Lovely make and it looks great on you! You have lovely slim arms. Loved the pattern and fabrid was great and made up perfectly. Sons are a gift from God. He looks like a happy young man..Loved the bracelet..it was a beautiful sentiment.
Thank you, Sizanne! YES! Sons are a gift from God! 💕💕💕
Love the dress and the post. The garment looks fabulous on you, and to share the moment with your son was priceless!! Stay blessed!!
Thank you so much, Bernice. You stay blessed too.💕
LOVE,LOVE, LOVE IT! Happy birthday. You look wonderful in it. Also love the bracelet you gave your son. Looks like he loves it! The message you gave with it is golden.
Thank you, Caroline! When I saw the message, I knew I had to get the bracelets. Speaks the sentiments of my heart. 💕
Handsome guy, pretty Mom….great photo! Happy Birthday!
Thank you so much. 💕
Happy belated birthday, love the dress,I always makes me a birthday dress my birthday was the 12 th of August
Happy belated birthday, Karen! I love that we can make our own birthday dresses. 🤗
Thank you for sharing the dress and personal time with your son. You both have mega watt smiles.
Thank you Octavia! 💕
You never disappoint. Another great creation. I love them both.
Thank you so much, Shari! 💕
Anita,
Happy Belated Birthday. May God bless you throughout your next rotation around the sun and beyond. That is awesome that your son was able to celebrate with you on your special day!
What a gorgeous dress! Love it! Stay blessed.
Thank you, Trish! It was such a precious time with my son. 💕
Well, I have to say you look amazing in the dress, but I’m not you nor the toned figure although I am 5’ 3” and medium sized to an 8 in clothing, it’s that middle age loose skin. So of course unless tightening it up with some well made undergarments the extra skin rolls tend to share with the world. Your torso seems to be a little longer and therefore the elastic area is very flattering. But on me I’d look a bit frumpy even if I see myself in my own imaginary mirror with a neat heal. I realize at the age of 66 I don’t have that thirty year old body, but I still like to look good.😆 Do you have any ideas?
Hi Joselyn! Yes, choose designs that look nice on your current body. Being able to sew our own clothes is such a PLUS because we’re not limited by what the fashion industry puts out each season. Sew and wear what makes you smile. That’s what I’ve decided to do. 💕
Very elegant, as usual. It is a beautiful color for you.
Thank you so much, Charlene! I love the color. 🤗
Oh My goodness you always motivate me. That dress is Beautiful on you. I love the bracelet you got for both of your sons. Happy Belated Birthday!
Thank you so much, Jo Ellen! 💕
Anita: your blog posts serve for me as mini-sewing classes – professionally, carefully, and lovingly produced – showcasing your professional sewing skills blended with love with Jesus slid in. Thanks so much for art, craft, family, theology – all wrapped in care and love!
Oh my goodness, Angela! Thank you for blessing my heart with this comment. I am beyond grateful to have this opportunity to share what I love. I appreciate you so much for reading my blog posts and leaving feedback. It really makes me smile. 💕
Hi Anita!
Once again, you look stunning in your birthday dress! Happy Late Birthday!!! 🎉🎂🥳🎈
Thank you for the info about the notions. I’ve had the drawstring/elastic threader in my Amazon cart for a while, and now I’ve added aglets and a crimper to my cart.
I wrote something VERY similar to my son when he shipped out for the Navy after graduating from high school. Reading the card that came with the bracelets for your sons brought back memories for me, as well as a tear to my eye. They do always stay our little boys, even though we’re proud of the men they’ve become.
Joy
Oh Joy! My heart! Readying about your son leaving for the Navy and you writing words of love to him touched my heart. 💕
I love it when I learn about a new-to-me sewing tool. I know all about the Amaon cart. 😂 Thank you for reading my blog post. 💕
Gorgeous! You and the dress! Was so helpful to see this made up in Tencel Twill as I’ve been curious how the fabric would drape. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You are very welcome, Elizabeth! Have fun sewing your dress if you decide to make it. 💕
Happy Birthday Anita! I love this make and especially for sharing your son and bday dinner with us. You look gorgeous in this dress and especially as a proud mom with your handsome son. I can’t wait to make this maxi. Thank you for all you do!
You are so very welcome, Yolanda! I’m so glad you were inspired to make the dress. Thank you for reading my blog post. Have fun sewing your dress. 💕
So pretty, Happy Birthday! I love your Mary Janes, where did you find them at?
Thank you so much, Melissa! I purchased the Mary Janes from Macy’s. 🤗
Hello Anita, beautiful as always. I just bought this pattern and have mocked up a muslin. As you also say, the armholes are too loose for me. Do you have a tutorial for adapting the pattern to fix that? I’m still a novice with clothing patterns. Would appreciate all advice or point me towards the right resource. Many thanks!
Your dress is beautiful. It looks wonderful on you both of them. Happy belated birthday, Anita.
Thank you so much, Debra! 💕
Anita, once again you have done magic! That dress is simple but elegant. Beautiful work! Our friends at Wawak are an excellent source for sewing supplies. I just recently started browsing on Amazon. Thank you for the info!
Thank you, Christine! Yes, I love simple elegance. And Wawak is a treasure chest for our sewing community. 🤗