Two hour Dress: Mission Impossible.

Sometimes you don't have time to do the most but you still need to do the most! This was definitely my situation a couple weeks ago so... I started browsing through the many patterns I have accumulated over the last 8 months looking for something I could pull together quickly!

It was going to be a cold 40 degree evening, so a thick ribbed knit in black was my fabric of choice for this evening. The fabric felt great, it was going to keep me warm & it had right amount of stretch to suck & tuck exactly where it needed to.

It didn't take long before I pulled out McCalls 7999! If you know, YOU KNOW... & if you don't know, you're about to find out!

I have never made a dress in 2 hours before but I was up for the challenge!

McCalls 7999 is a sewist favorite! Its giving OPTIONS, OPTIONS, & more OPTIONS.

Long sleeve, short sleeve, turtle neck, crew neck, V-neck, long dress, short dress, you can even hack the pattern to turn it from a dress to a crop top & skirt.

I went with a turtle neck, long sleeve, ankle length dress with a split in the back.

The Process

There were 4 pattern pieces: Front (Cut 1 on the fold), Back (Cut 2), Sleeves (Cut 2) & Turtle neck (Cut 1). I used my serger (Brother 1634dx) to stitch the entire dress, saving even more time.

1. Serge the front to the back at the shoulder seams (right sides together)

2. Use Open Arm Method to attach the sleeve

   1. First, serge the sleeve at the shoulder seams (right sides together)

   2. Second, serge the sleeve from the wrist to under the arm, to the side seam, repeat on other side.

3. Right sides together, matching raw edges, serge together creating a loop.

4. Fold in half & with raw edges together pin raw edge of turtle neck only raw edge of dress neck line. Make sure right sides are together then serge.

5. Hem the raw edge of the sleeve & the bottom of the dress.

Pattern Highlights

• Difficulty:

  • Easy

    • 2/10 (10 = most difficult)

• Prep

  • Cut pattern = 15-20 min

  • Cut fabric = 20-30 min

• Sizing/Fit

  • True to size for Two-way Stretch Knits, Rib Knit, Jersey, Interlock, Velvet Knits

  • Size down for 4-way stretch knit

  • My Measurements: Bust 38/ Waist 36/ Hips 42

    • Pattern Size Cut: Medium

Wrap Up

I loved making this dress! It was easy, beginner friendly, & the only sewing skill needed is how to use your sewing machine or serger. I have made versions of this dress twice since & will definitely make it again!

Interested in sewing along or watching a live sew-along? Follow me on TikTok @SewSophisticatedDesigns. I do live sew alongs several Fridays a month from 7pm - 10pm EST.