MCCALL'S 8286 - WRAP SHIRTDRESS

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Have you ever seen a wrap shirtdress? When I ran across this pattern, I couldn’t grab it quick enough. It’s Resurrection weekend and I can’t wait to wear this dress to church on Sunday. This wasn’t my original planned outfit for Resurrection Sunday. However, a sequence of events during my sewing process made it the best option and I’m happy. I’ll share more later.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

PATTERN INFORMATION

This gorgeous wrap shirtdress is McCall’s 8286. It has ties sewn into the side seams that wrap around the dress, creating a cinched waist appearance. The dress has a collar and can be made with short or long sleeves. View A is mid-knee length with a straight hem. Views B and C are midi-length with curved hems at the sides.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

The pattern is available in sizes 8 – 32W (print only). The company rates the pattern as Average, and I agree. This means you will need Intermediate sewing skills to complete the garment. Some required skills are: buttonholes, sleeve and button plackets, collar and hem facing.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS
WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Inside the Garment

I used my Baby Lock Soprano and Vibrant Serger to sew the dress. The pattern comes with a self facing for the bottom hem of the dress. I love this detail because it creates a very clean finish for curved hems.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Fabric Options

The fabric suggestions on the envelope are: Cotton Blends, Crepes, Gauze, and Linens. I think this dress would look fabulous in a good quality linen. I used a Printed Polyester Charmeuse  that I purchased from Fabrics & Fabrics. Unfortunately, there are only a few yards left at the time this information is posted. I fell in love with the print, and my original plan was to use it for a blouse. However, I changed my mind when I saw the wrap shirtdress pattern.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Alterations Information

I sewed the dress straight from the envelope without any alterations to the pattern, and it’s a great fit. However, I did double the number of buttons. The pattern calls for 12, but I used 24. YIKES! What was I thinking, right? I wanted to add something extra, so I doubled the buttons by adding two in the space allotted for one. Because of this change, I made the buttonholes horizontal rather than the suggested vertical position. Sewing the buttonholes was easy because my Baby Lock Soprano has the automatic buttonhole feature. But hand sewing 24 shank buttons took me out. LOL! Further, since I didn’t have enough 5/8″ buttons on hand, I used 3/8″ pearl buttons. The pearls added a great touch of elegance.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Also, I lost my fabric piece that I cut for the under collar. I have no idea what happened, but I couldn’t find it. Since I didn’t have any fabric left, I used an off-white fabric of the same weight for the under collar. I think it looks fine and adds a nice contrast when I wear the collar flipped up.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Finally, I made a mistake that literally made me gasp. While serging the seam allowance on one of the side seams, I cut right through my dress. The fabric is very slinky and I didn’t realize part of the dress had slipped underneath the cutting blade. It created a hole in the fabric. But I was not about to let this fabric go to waste. Therefore, I sewed a  little dart to close up the hole. You can see the dart in the photos below from the outside and insider of the garment. It’s barely visible when worn because of the fabric’s print. As long as it’s wearable, I’m good. I could go back and sew a matching dart on the other side, but it didn’t distort the symmetry so I just left it as is.

Notions Information

The only notions required are thread, buttons, and single fold bias tape for View B.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Styling Options

I’ve styled the dress here with a pair of gray, high heel pumps, a pair of pearl stud earrings (which look great with the buttons), and a gray clutch purse that I made using this TUTORIAL on my YouTube channel. That’s it! I wanted to keep it simple and allow the fabric to shine. I think it would look amazing with brown or cream colored shoes.

WRAP SHIRTDRESS
https://fabrics-fabrics.com

How would you wear the garment?

Would you sew this dress? Do you have the pattern? How would you style it? Have a Happy Resurrection Sunday!

WRAP SHIRTDRESS

Don't Forget your Sewing Project Checklist

Did you know that I created a Sewing Project Checklist to help you stay organized while sewing your garments? If you missed the video where I shared 3 Steps to Time Saving Sewing for Beginners, check it out to learn how you can streamline your sewing process. Tap the link below to get a Free PDF copy of the Checklist.

Thanks for stopping by,


Remember: When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES! 


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This Post Has 17 Comments

  1. Jaenine

    Love this dress. Like that you can make it dressy or casual.

  2. Ana

    I’m late commenting but I just have to tell you how much I like those pairs of buttons! What a lovely touch.

  3. Delores

    Excellent fabric choice.

  4. Peggy Johnson

    Hi Anita and Happy Resurrection Day!!! Yes, He’s Alive!!
    Loving the dress. I’m sorry u made the mistake but honestly, I wouldn’t have notice bc the dress is so gorgeous. Thank u for pointing out the mistake and for sharing how u overcame it. To me that’s evidence of a heart of a caring instructor. Also Anita, I attempted to get the sewing checklist but the link didn’t work. Would u please look into that? Thank you so much. 💞

  5. Trish

    Anita,
    Another work of art. I love the fabric too.

  6. Monica

    Again a beautiful dress. Love the idea of the double buttons, I never would have thought of doing that.

  7. Mary Jean Cunningham

    Love the pattern, love the fabric, love the purse, love the elegant double pearl buttons – another winner! It must have been a heart-dropping moment when you realized the mistake with the serger, but luckily the print hides the repair so well – good news! Of course, the real good news is Easter Sunday – Happy Easter, Anita – He is risen, Alleluia!

  8. De

    Anita, this is such a rich look! I love the print and color combination. The few sewing hiccups you make are so cleverly handled it’s as though they never occurred. The sign of a pro! Enjoy Resurrection Day as you bask in the love of our Savior.

  9. Dara

    That is So Cute Anita. I usually get something for Mother’s Day. Have a Great day! He is Risen! HALLELUJAH!

    1. Rachel

      Nice and beautiful as always. I love the fabric choice and print. The shoe oh la la. You know I love me some good shoes. It all came out stunning.. The serger mistake was not noticed until I read through the blog. I laughed because that happened to me last week when making a dress. With so much sewing experience, you make it work.. nice Job Ms. Anita. Looking forward to your next post.

  10. Sue

    I am so glad you post about little sewing mistakes and how you work with them. The dress looks fabulous and I love the double buttons. If you hadn’t pointed out that serger mishap, no one would have known.

  11. Little Stitchy

    Anita! Oh my goodness! What a fabulous dress. You look stunning and it fits perfectly. You are an amazing and gifted sewest. Everyone at church and Easter brunch will be envious.

    You know….I can totally relate to the serger mistake. Your “fix” worked well and you can’t even see it because of the print.
    Such a horrible feeling when it happens. I actually audibly screeched so loud that my cat screeched too and jumped 3 feet off the floor.
    I was finishing the armscye on peasant blouse made from a beautiful rayon challis and cut about an inch in a “V” shape. Thankfully sleaves where super full and the cut was under the arm. So I used fusible web and a scrap of the fabric on the inside and then stitched tinny little zigzag stitches on the outside in matching thread. Lesson learned! I am now super carful while serging with my Baby Lock Evolution.

    God bless you my friend.
    Little Stitchy – aka – Tonya

    1. Anita Morris

      Oh my goodness! Someone else told me I could have used fusible web to fix it. Didn’t even think of that. Hopefully I’ll never have to use that technique from being more careful. LOL! God bless you too.

  12. Janine S

    Totally gorgeous dress anitabydesign, but – on viewing your pics – I thought the “mistake” you mentioned at the start might have been the placement of the large beige blotch on the backside of the dress?!! It sort of looks like your underwear might be showing through? (yikes) 🤦🏼‍♀️😬

    1. Anita Morris

      Wow! Someone from my Facebook page mentioned the placement in the back, but they didn’t say it like that.

  13. DeLana Smith

    Hi, Anita!

    I have not decided exactly what I will be wearing tomorrow, but I did want to say the wrap dress you made is simply lovely. It matches perfectly with the handbag and heels. I also saw the black coat, top and pants ensemble. Lady, you look like a secret agent, lol. I won’t keep you, but I did want to respond. I pray you have an wobderfully amazing Easter-Resurrection Day.

    Take care!

    1. Anita Morris

      Thank you DeLana! You have a wonderful Resurrection Day too, my sister.