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SEWING MY STASH | MCCALL'S 7970
EXHALE!!! If you gasped when you saw this dress, like I did, just exhale. Whew! SEW Sisters, you know I’m about to wear this dress until the threads fall apart, right? Hahaha!! When I pulled MCCALL’S 7970 out of the drawer, I KNEW I had to pair it with a jaw dropping fabric. Baby, when I tell you this pairing is a SCORE, I’m talking truth.
This is pattern #8 of my personal challenge to sew 22 patterns that I already have in the year 2022. That means I have 14 more to go. BUT, that’s not true because I had my own sewing marathon on the 4th of July weekend. Yep! I did nothing but sew all weekend and finished three dresses. YES! Plus, I have the top that I made for Tea Time Live. So, I already have three more garments sewn, which means I really need 11 more to reach my goal. But just for the fun of it, I’ll keep up with the countdown from 14 in future posts.
PATTERN INFORMATION - MCCALL'S 7970
MCCALL’S 7970 is a loose-fitting, pullover dress with length and sleeve variations. View A is above the knee, sleeveless, with flounces on the bodice and skirt. View B is also above the knee with kimono sleeves. View C is maxi length with multiple tiers of ruffles that can be color blocked for more interest. View D is also maxi length with kimono sleeves and multiple tiers of ruffles. There is also a tie belt with Views C and D, which can also be used with Views A and B.
The pattern is currently available in both print and pdf versions. It’s rated as “EASY” by the company and I agree. However, sewing Views C and D is very time consuming because of all the ruffles and hemming required. If you have basic sewing skills, you should be able to complete this dress with the pattern’s instructions. Just be careful to label all your ruffles after cutting so that you don’t get confused during construction. New Beginners, do not attempt to sew this dress as a first project. You will likely become frustrated with all the gathering.
The only notions required are 1/4″ elastic for the waist on all views, and 1/2″ single fold bias tape for Views A and C to finish the armhole openings.
I cut a size 10 on the bodice and 14 on the skirt without making any pattern adjustments. However, I did close up the front opening with a safety pin because it opens when I wear the dress. I may consider adding a snap in the future to keep it closed for my comfort.
To help streamline the sewing process on this garment, I recommend an assembly line style to prepare all the ruffles before assembling the front and back of the skirt. See the steps that I followed below.
- I sewed the basting stitches for all the ruffles first. It is VERY important to transfer the stitching line on all pattern skirt pieces where ruffles are being attached. Don’t skip this step.
- Next, I sewed all the hems at the top of the ruffles and the bottom of the last ruffle.
- Then, I finished the bottom raw edge of all the other ruffles with my serger. You can use your preferred method if you don’t have a serger.
- After all hems were sewn, I pressed all the ruffles at the same time.
- Once all the ruffles were prepared, I proceeded to assemble the skirt. This prevented me from going back and forth between the machines and pressing station, which adds more time to the sewing process.
Inside the Garment
Fabric Options
I used this gorgeous Animal Print Rayon that I purchased from LA Finch Fabrics. The bold print is too perfect for this dress style. I don’t know if they still have all colors of this fabric available, but they do have other beautiful Rayon Prints available. I’ve also linked to more options below for another online fabric store.
Styling Options
I styled the dress with gold drop earrings, gold drop necklace and gold bracelet; a big, floppy, straw hat; a pair of black, low-heel sandals; and a black bag. I love EVERYTHING about this dress. It’s comfortable, stylish, and classy. The fabric color looks really good against my skin and I can wear it for so many occasions. I wore it to speak at a local meeting (without the hat) and I got several compliments. Then, I went to the mall after the meeting and received even more compliments. Two different people asked where I purchased the dress, and you already know what happened when I told them I made it. SHOCK! Hahaha! I love it every time.
How would you wear the dress?
Do you have MCCALL’S 7970? Would you sew it with a solid or print fabric? Would you color block the ruffles? Talk to me in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
YouTube Pattern Review - NOW AVAILABLE
Yes, that’s right. I’ve created a PATTERN REVIEW on my YouTube channel and it’s available now. I wanted to get you prepared to sew the dress by sharing more details. I can’t wait for you to see how great the dress looks on the body with movement.
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!
Links to Products, Posts & Tutorials
Here are links to products, blog posts, and tutorials mentioned in this post.
- Pattern
- Sewing Project Checklist
- Pattern Review Video
- Fabric Option 1
- Fabric Option 2
- Learn to SEW
- Baby Lock Soprano
- Baby Lock Vibrant
- Baby Lock Euphoria
(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.).)
This Post Has 39 Comments
Hi! I’m following along as you sew your stash. How exciting. I’m thinking of making this dress with a bubble gauze fabric. Do you think it’ll do well with this pattern?
Hi Ria! Yes, I think this dress will look cute in a bubble gauze. Have fun making your dress. It’s a great pattern.
Love, love, love that dress and you look fantastic in it! I have ordered the pattern and can’t wait for it to arrive!! Keep on sewing, cause your class is showin’! 😉 Thanks for your inspiration!
Thank you so much. Have fun sewing your dress.
Pingback: SEWING MY STASH | SIMPLICITY 8909 – Anita by Design
Anita this is so elegant! I am tempted by these wrap bodices all the time but I struggle to take a chance when everyone says they need to add a snap. How would you hide the snap? I would sew this in navy rayon since that is what I have. Thanks for the details!
Hey Angel! I was thinking of sewing the snap to the inside and using matching thread so you can’t easily see the tiny stitches. Just a thought. I wore it again and just added a safety pin, so I may just leave it alone. It would look lovely in navy.
Hi Anita! This dress looks good on you! Wonderful job!
Thank you, Gwendolyn.
Hi Anita. This dress is so beautiful. I love that you showed the inside of it which to me is equally important and should look as good as the outside. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Peggy! Thank you. Yes, I agree about the inside. I try to make the inside as beautiful as the outside, even though nobody will see it. It’s important for me.
Anita I cannot say enough. This dress, your enthusiasm lifts my spirits and makes me want to do something for myself and that is sew!!!! It has been a very strange and stressful work week….I just woke on my day off at 5 am…I start my day with prayer and devotions and I thought oh let me look at my emails. And there you are, excitement jumping off the pages, happiness, smiles, joy, love, I can go on. My spirits are lifted and I’m ready for my day! Hmmm I wonder what I will sew!!!
Love love love the dress and fabric choices are spot on!!!
Monica!!!! Now you just put a big smile on my heart. I’m so glad your spirits have been lifted today and you’re inspired to sew today. Yaaaayyy!!! Have a fun sewing day off, Monica! ?
So beautiful! It is a pleasure to see your makes.
Thank you so much, Emily!
Wow!!! What a beautiful, beautiful dress my lovely.
The Rayon fabric is perfect, with the print, it’s Ah-mazing!!!
I don’t have this pattern, but I did get the Vogue pattern you made into a dress (It just came in the mail today) ?.
Can’t wait to see this dress “moving in action”
Thank you for sharing all you do. It’s truly appreciated by all of us
Thank you so much, my beautiful sister. I appreciate you. I really love this dress.
I love it!!!
Thank you, Ramona!
Very Pretty ,Anita. You are a SEWING DIVA!
Thank you so much, Dara! Making me smile.
The dress is absolutely stunning. You look very classy in that outfit! Love the hat
Thank you, DJ!
Hello Anita, You did your thang girl once again!!!!! No I don’t have it, not yet anyway, I would do it in a print also. I like ruffles but not too much so the print takes a little away from the ruffles. Every time I see you I want to sew everything:) Keep doing what you do.
Oh, Pamela, I totally get it. The print does tone down the ruffle if it’s not your thing. Yes, ma’am! I will keep sewing and inspiring.
Hi Mrs. Anita.
Your dress is gorgeous! AS ALWAYS! I have this pattern (I think) will need it! ?
You are such an inspiration.
Be blessed.
Hey Queenesther! Yes, it’s a good one to have. Thank you so much, sister.
Anita, I love everything you sew, but I think this dress is my FAVORITE!
I love the color, the ruffles, the animal print – everything! Just perfect! I’m ridiculously short, only 5″0, but if not for that, I’d totally wear this dress too!
Beautifully done!
I hope you carry business cards around, so you can pass them out when someone compliments you on your handmade clothes! Refer them to your blog!
Laura!!! Oh my goodness! Isn’t it the cutest? I’m so in love with the dress.
Wow, another amazing dress! I love the print on this fabric.
Thanks for sharing, Anita.
Deborah
Thank you, Deborah! Yes, I love the fabric print too. It’s perfect for this dress.
I absolutely love this dress….you always do such a great job styling your makes as well. You are definitely great at what you do!!!
Thank you so much, Janna! I love this dress so much.
This dress is super!! I love the fabric print. I have this pattern and cant wait to try it.
Oh, Carmen, I can’t wait to see what you do with the pattern.
What an exciting way to spend the 4th – creating!! You have the perfect accessories for this dress and the look is definitely you. The different elements and possibilities for this garment makes it a top fashion. Thanks so much!!!
Yes, I didn’t want to take away from the dress with bulky accessories. So MANY possibilities.
Thank you, Anita, for showing us all the detail that went into this dress! Looks fab inside and out! I’m so motivated !
Thank you so much, Anna! Makes my heart smile to hear you say that you’re motivated.