DENIM SHIRT DRESS | MCCALL'S 7470
I’m on a journey to rebuilding my wardrobe after losing a lot of weight. If you were a member of my Private Email Community last year, you may remember that I sent out an update sharing about my lifestyle change for health reasons. While it certainly wasn’t my goal to lose weight, it came with the process of embracing a Whole Foods Plant Based lifestyle. I’m so grateful to God for my health, and rather than feel bad about not being able to fit my old clothes, I’m having so much fun starting over from scratch – SEWING A WHOLE NEW WARDROBE. This denim shirt dress is a piece that I’ve been wanting to make for a while. Having it in my closet makes me smile so big.
Pattern Information
I used McCall’s 7470 to make the dress, but it’s Out-of-Print now. I’ve had it in my pattern collection for years and just got around to sewing it up. I have lots of patterns that are no longer in print, and I still share on my blog and social media when I use them for a couple of reasons. First, I simply love sharing what I make and don’t limit myself to showing only what’s still in print. Secondly, I know many people have out-of-print patterns, and when they see others sew the designs, it’s inspiring. Finally, even for those who don’t have particular out-of-print patterns, they do have similar designs and find inspiration when they see the garment sewn. Therefore, you will continue to see me use out-of-print patterns, along with those that are still available for purchase. Now, let’s get into this pattern because it’s a great one. If you have it, keep it, and sew it up one day.
McCall’s 7470 is a semi-fitted shirt and dress pattern with front and back princess seams; front and back yoke; and sleeve and length variations. View A has a shaped hem. Views A, B, and C have long sleeves with pleat and button cuffs. Views A, C, and D have pockets. Views C and D have a self fabric belt. Finally, View C has button flaps/tabs. I rate this pattern as an Intermediate skill level. The size range is 6 – 22. Here are some closeup photos of the garment details.
Fabric Information
The pattern suggests Cotton Blends, Chambray, Crepe de Chine, and Faux Suede. I used a medium-weight denim that I purchased from JoAnn Fabrics years ago. I love it so much and it’s perfect for this dress. My denim has a small amount of stretch so there is spandex in the fabric content. Unfortunately I couldn’t find this particular fabric on their website, but I’ve included a couple of other denim options that I think will work well with this pattern. Here’s an option for 100% COTTON DENIM. Here’s another option for STRETCH DENIM.
Inside the Garment
I used my Baby Lock Chorus sewing machine for all the seams and the Vibrant Serger to finish the princess and side seam allowances before topstitching. I love clean and polished insides on my garments, so I usually take extra steps that aren’t mentioned in pattern instructions. You may notice that I mentioned a different sewing machine. That’s because Baby Lock sent me a new one and I’m super excited to share all about it. In between the sewing and tutorials I’ve been sharing, I’m also planning out and working on a new YouTube Series for the Baby Lock Chorus Sewing Machine. I can’t wait to share this beauty with you.
If you’re interested in seeing all the machines I use, check out my AMBASSADOR PAGE HERE. You get a 10% discount on machines, accessories and software when you use my code: SAVE10-AAM4 (excludes: Classes, Getaways and Love of Knowledge (BLOK2)). Discount is a one-time use per customer account. Now, let’s take a look at the inside of the dress. The red tracing lines will be removed in the wash.
Notions Information
The pattern calls for 1/2″ buttons (amount depends on which view you’re sewing), and one 1 1/4″ buckle. The photo on the envelope shows D-RINGS as the buckle. I used these METAL BUTTONS to match my belt buckle. I chose the Antsil button finish. They also come in Antique Gold and Gold.
Alterations Information
I didn’t have make any alterations to the pattern. However, I did end up taking in the side seams in the waist and merged out to the hip area after my first fitting. I cut a Size 10 and it fit the shoulders very well but the waist was larger than what I had in mind. I wanted my dress more fitted in the bodice area.
I realized when I got ready to attach the front bands to the dress that they were short. I had forgotten to check that detail with the pattern pieces after reading on Pattern Review about someone else having the same issue. To make my bands fit, I cut off some length from the bottom of the dress, about an inch. Also, I sewed my bands on different than what the instructions suggested.
I did not sew the belt that came with the pattern. I decided to make my own because I wanted something more polished and sturdy. I love the way my belt looks with the dress, and I’ve created a tutorial on my YouTube channel to show you how to make custom belts for your garments. It’s a very detailed tutorial and I’ve included all the steps. Check it out if you’d like to learn HOW TO SEW BELTS.
Styling Options
When I pulled the pattern and fabric, my initial vision was for casual wear. I could see myself running errands around town, lunch dates with friends, visiting family, etc. But I also knew I could dress it up, or wear it throughout the year by layering it over other garments. I’ll start with casual wear. I’ve styled it with a thin t-shirt underneath and a pair of sandals. This is how I plan to wear it most, even with flat sandals. I’ve added a pair of silver stud earrings, two silver bracelets and a black crossbody bag. I’m showing this look with and without the belt because I plan to go without it sometimes, depending on my mood and where I’m going.
Next, I styled it with a pair of boots and mock turtleneck. I really love this because I can wear it during the winter months. I also have other turtlenecks to wear underneath. This look is appropriate for church too, so that’s a win for me. Again, I’ve shown the dress with and without the belt.
Finally, I dressed it up a bit with a pair of red open-toe pumps and matching handbag. The dress is very comfortable, even with the belt.
What do you think?
Do you have this pattern? Which styling option do you like best? 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! 💕
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This Post Has 59 Comments
The dress looks amazing, have you considered doing a tutorial?
Look at your beautiful dress , and the work it’s showing my students the talent in craftsmanship you have in your designs. I’m so bless and proud to be one of your subscribers in showing one of many what GOD can do when you have faith in him. Believing God gives people chances to learn and understand the gifts they have. Thank you for being you a blessing.
Thank you so much, Freddie! My heart is grateful and humbled. I appreciate you. 💕
Magnificent job Anita, and Happy Mother’s Day to you! 5/12/24
Thank you so much Gwendolyn! Happy Mother’s Day to you also. 💕💐
This is a great dress on you. You look very chic. I like the way you have styled it, but I absolutely love the look with the turtle neck and boots. I can see myself wearing that outfit in the fall and winter. Thanks for the inspiration and all of the details.
Thank you Hettie! I can’t wait to wear it with the boots and turtleneck next fall. I’m so happy for the versatility of this dress.
I Love this dress. I have also made 3 belts using your tutorial. Thank you for all you do.
I love how the construction on the inside looks just as refined as the exterior of the garment. I believe that’s how it should be. My mother would go cloth shopping and when she saw something she liked, the first thing she would do was turn the garment to see how the construction looked. More times than not, she would say…” I could do that better”. And she could! She was a perfectionist. Like you! When I saw the inside of that dress, it looked so well constructed, no open fraying seams, I thought to myself, this is skills. I enjoyed this post.
Thank you so much, Naomi! I love taking my time to achieve clean insides. I find it to be worth the extra time. Even if nobody sees it, I love it because I get to see it and smile. 💕
Wow! Three belts already! YES! That makes me so happy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tutorial and are making your belts. 🤗
Hi Anita:
First, you look amazing in that dress. The construction of this dress is impeccable both on the outside and inside.
Thank you so much Diane! 🤗
I love your outfit
Hi Anita
Your styling options are great. The one I like is the beautiful dress without the shirt underneath with the red shoes. Love this look.
My second choice is the long sleeve black top and the black boots. Way to go, AGAIN.
Barb
Thank you so much, Barb! I absolutely love that I have so much versatility with this dress. 🤗
I think you might be the only person that I know that can make denim look stunning!! I love all the style options and can’t pick a favorite—they are all unique so it’s like a totally different garment in each look. Incredible choices with this one! So great/sew great yet again!
Thank you so much, Katherine! I totally agree with you that each styling option makes it look like a different garment. Your comment made me smile. 💕💕💕
I love the different style options you’ve shown . The dress is perfect and your skill is impeccable. You look healthy and fabulous. God bless!
Thank you so much, Carmen! I appreciate you. 💕
As a teenager I worked at every Jean store in NY. I have always loved the look of denim and the different ways to style it and you hit the target. I haven’t sewed with denim yet, I do have to admit it intimidates me. When I started sewing about 5 years ago making a pair of jeans was my goal and then I saw the dress you made and it reminded me of one I owned many years ago. You made me want to do it and to get started. Thank you! Now I just have to figure out how.
Hi Cher!!! Oh wow, so you know about denim if you worked in all those Jean stores. Sewing with denim is not difficult. You can do it. Practice your stitches and topstitching on some scrap denim fabric until you’re happy with the outcome. Then, just jump right in and make your garment. You’ve got this, Cher. 🤗
Talk about a kick off – a new size, a new machine, and a new wardrobe. This denim dress is a versatile piece for your closet and your choice of fabric is a really, really good one. I’ve told you before that your sewing skills are impeccable and I’m striving to reach your level. You just don’t know how much of an inspiration you are. Each of the looks look great and it’s difficult to select just one. What a blessing to have different places to wear this dress and you can change it for so many looks!
Hi De!!!!!! Yeeesss! Kicking it off with all the NEW!!! Thank you so much. I’m loving this dress so much. My heart smiles to know that you find inspiration in my posts. I’m really happy to have you in my community, De. 💕
This is such an inspiration. I’m on a WFPB diet as well. This has led to me making a new wardrobe and taking in my favorite items. I can make something like this with B6762. I love all of these looks and as you said it’s multi-seasonal.
Oh yes, that pattern would work to create the same look. Have fun rebuilding your new wardrobe.
Hi Anita. You are such an inspiration. I love everything you make. The fact that I can wear it out somewhere during the day and then change up accessories and wear it to church is what I love. Thanks for all that you do.
You’re very welcome, Marilyn. I LOVE the versatility too.
You’re an awesome seamstress. , it’s gorgeous as always
Thank you Debra!
You could also wear a jean jacket with that dress. You inspire me to see if I still have an old shirt dress pattern in my stash to sew up. I could use some nice casual dresses that could also be dressed up.
Yes, Sherry! I love garments that can be dressed up or casual. They’re WIN/WIN garments. 🤗
Thank you for sharing
You’re very welcome, Alice.
Anita, I just love your blogs. You are so inspiring and you give THEE greatest tips. Congratulations on your new journey with plant based foods and creating an entire wardrobe from scratch. I’m sure we all will be looking forward to each and every project and some of us will get that inspiration to start our sewing projects. Much love to you and prayers of victory as you transition to better eating habits.💖💖
Love your style and sewing skills! I always learn from you. You have encouraged me to pull my serger out of the closet and learn to use it! I have two favorites: boots and turtleneck for winter, and sleeveless for summer….you have great arms so you should show them off!
I am currently working on a CA-King quilt but I have already collected fabric for my future wardrobe.
Thank you, Ronda! YES! Get that serger out and enjoy all the beauty that it creates. I love that you already have your future wardrobe fabrics chosen. Way to go! Have fun finishing your quilt.
Oh good golly this is a wonderful thing! Your ideas are awesome! I’ve had shirtdress patterns but am afraid to get started because sizing is difficult for me, but I’ll watch your tutorial and once again I’m certain you will inspire me to sew one! Yours is beautiful.
You inspire me. I’d love to read the blog post about adopting the WFPB diet, as I’m in need of more inspiration. When I get tired, I fall off the diet. When I’m alert and remember to ask Jesus for help, I do better.
Thank you, Jeanne! I don’t have a tutorial for this dress but if you have another shirt dress pattern you can create the same look. I sent an email to my Private Email Community about my lifestyle change last year. It wasn’t a blog post. I do understand getting off track. One thing I did from the start is call it a “lifestyle” not a diet. I think diet gives the impression of temporary. I needed a new way of living, not just eating. Calling it a lifestyle reminds me that this is how I live now. I hope that makes sense. You can do it but it starts with mindset. I followed Dr. Brooke Goldner and her WFPB protocol to get started with the changes I made. Here are her website and YouTube channel:
Website: https://www.goodbyelupus.com/?s2-ssl=yes
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeGoldnerMD
Update: Just to clarify: I do use the word diet when I say, “I eat a WFPB diet.” But I never say I’m on a diet, which usually means I’m eating a certain way temporarily to lose weight.
I wish you much success on your journey. I prayed for a long time for help. When God allowed me to meet Dr. G on YouTube, I knew my prayers had been answered. Then it was my responsibility to do the work. I’m so grateful! God bless you, sister. You can do it!
That looks great! I love the fact that it is denim yet it looks so polished at the same time. The workmanship is perfect as always. I would love to learn from you in person some day.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Sonia! I don’t do in-person lessons, but I do have an online sewing course for beginners. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out. https://learntosew.anitabydesign.com/courses/learn-to-sew
I love the different style options you’ve shown . The dress is perfect and your skill is impeccable. You look healthy and fabulous. God bless!
I love each of the ways you styled this dress. But , my personal preference is with the boots. Your makes are always so detailed and suit you perfect. Now I need to check my pattern and fabric stash . Thanks for sharing your beautiful work.
Thank you so much, Constance! I can’t wait to wear it with the boots and turtleneck. I hope you have the pattern. 🤗
Anita,
Oh my goodness. This is a gorgeous dress. I love the denim and you look fabulous in it. I have some denim in my stash and was wondering what I would use it for. You have solved that dilemma for me. Simply beautiful. Thank you for continuing to share your gift. Hugs! Stay Blessed!
Yaaay, Trish! I’m so glad you have found a use for your denim fabric. Have fun sewing your shirt dress. You stay blessed too, sister. 💕
Hi Anita,
What a fabulous dress – the fabric reminds me of wispy white clouds in a summer blue sky and I think it is that which elevates the dress to being so much more than just another denim dress. I love how you gave it different style options, each one of which I love. I just cannot choose a favourite style – love them all and the dress can be worn in any season, so a very valuable wardrobe staple. You look wonderful as always!
Jill x
Thank you so much, Jill! Several people have commented in social media that the fabric looks like beautiful clouds. I agree with you 100%. The fabric totally elevates the dress. Wearing it year round is definitely a bonus. 🤗
I love this look and am most impressed with the details. Before the close ups, I was smiling and enjoying the look, but perked up once the finishing work was evident.
Honestly, I can’t choose 1 look but if forced, the booted styling. The versatility is the draw for me. Being able to change things up is the best.
Please keep them coming and inspiring us to push beyond the level that we’ve rested.
Thank you for sharing your artistry and skills with us. I’m pretty good, and yet have learned quite a bit from you.
~Cornelia
🙏🏼
Cornelia, I am with you on the versatility. It makes me so HAPPY! And, yes, I will keep coming with the inspiration. Thank you so much.💕
Another dress sewn “sew” beautifully inside and out. You are an inspiration to me, both for your sewing expertise and for the dietary changes you made. Where can I find the blog post about how you got started on the whole foods plant-based diet? You look wonderful!
Hi Eileen! Thank you so much. I sent an email to my Private Email Community about my lifestyle change last year. It wasn’t a blog post.
I followed Dr. Brooke Goldner and her WFPB protocol to get started with the changes I made. Here are her website and YouTube channel:
Website: https://www.goodbyelupus.com/?s2-ssl=yes
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeGoldnerMD
I love this! You look fabulous! Did you stitch in the ditch on the collar band or did you hand sew it? It looks so neat. I find that whenever I sew with denim I have to pull out my heavy duty machine. Also, congratulations on the new machine! As I was reading it I was thinking I missed a post about it.
Thank you, Shelly!I hand sewed the collar band because I wanted a very clean finish. I love my new machine so MUCH!!! 🤗 Thank you.💕
Hey Anita! I’m
So proud of you my sew sister. You look absolutely amazing and that dress suits you. A little bird told me there may be a sew along coming…..pretty please.
Hi Kimberly! The little bird told a fib. I won’t be doing a sew along for this one. First, people wouldn’t be able to get access to the pattern because it’s out-of-print. I did one tutorial with an out-of-print pattern and it wasn’t a good idea.
I love all your styled looks. Going to check my pattern stash to see if I still have this one.
Thank you, Celeste! If you don’t have it, I’m sure you can find similar shirt dress patterns.
Hey Ms. Anita
I love the denim Dress it is FIRE it looks so good. I tried to look for the pattern but it wasn’t in my size and etsy only had one pattern, and I use to have this pattern when I first started sewing and gave it away thinking I would never sew it and here is on you lol. Thank you for coming back to youtube to do the sew alongs.