A Pastel Hued Aviary

This pattern (McCalls 7974) was extremely popular this year.  I knew I liked the design as soon as it was released, and I decided that the pattern would jump the line on all of the other projects I have queued up in my mind.  I started working on this in March, and finished it in just a few days.

But first I had to find the perfect fabric.  I am not a huge fan of yellow, because it often makes me look rather sickly.  But a pale yellow works with my pasty skin, and I couldn't resist the bird print.

It was a stretch, but I managed to fit all of the pieces on my limited yardage, excluding the facings (which were made from solid colored cotton scraps I stashed away from some old project).

It may have taken me until October, but I finally managed to get photos of the dress while it was warm enough outside to wear such a garment.

Because I was determined to post at least a few projects on this blog that were started and finished in this calendar year!

As for all the hype, I will say that this pattern lives up to its reputation.

I found the construction a bit odd, but I went ahead and stitched this together as the instructions suggested.  It made me slow down and think instead of ploughing ahead, which is good every once in a while.  One change I would make is that keyhole opening on the sleeve tie.  It's just too fiddly and doesn't lay totally flat.

Working with the print inspired me to pull out a long forgotten project and finally finish it since I thought the two pieces would make a nice pairing.

Which means this project was a definite success.

And yes, I will probably make another version of this dress someday.  Just not until the weather turns warm again.  (It is currently rather chilly for this California based weather wimp and I am trying to acclimate to the cold, so I am thinking of wool fabric, long sleeves, and sweaters!)

Dress:  Made by me, McCalls 7974
Shoes:  Nine West