Black and Blue.

Once I'd completed my McCall's M6886 dresses and fully experienced the delight of secret pajamas, I knew I needed another knit dress pattern in rotation for my fall wardrobe. 

This knit dress revelation coincided with Jenny's launch of the Appleton Dress, which is completely lovely in every version I've seen so far. Wrap dresses are universally flattering, I think. Unfortunately, Jenny's line is outside my size range. I turned instead to Maria Denmark's Rachel Wrap dress; the two are very similarly designed. 

This was my first time working with a Maria Denmark pattern. My finished dress looks exactly as I expected it to look based on the sample photos and line drawings. This pattern produces a lovely dress. The neckline strikes a nice balance between flattering and conservative. I don't feel like I"m at risk for any costume malfunctions. The skirt wrap goes from hip to hip and provides good coverage. Also, the dress went together easily and quickly. I did not, however, like that there were no seam allowances, or rather, that some pieces had seam allowances and other didn't. It was more than a little confusing to keep track of. It would have been nice to have consistency throughout the pattern.

 Honestly, I'm too lazy/spoiled  to add seam allowances. I chose, instead, to cut a size larger than the pattern suggested for my measurements. I thought it was also odd that there is no pattern piece for the ties. I understand that eliminating this piece was likely a space saving move, but it seemed like a shortcut. ​Finally, it's worth mentioning that the pattern layout and fabric requirements anticipate that the fabric does not have a directional repeat. So, be prepared to buy extra yardage if you won't be able to flip your pattern pieces.

Yes. It's raining.LOL.

My fabric is rayon jersey from Les Tissus du Chien Vert in Brussels. This shop had a wonderful selection of jersey prints! This particular knit has a lot of stretch and good rebound. It works wonderfully with the neckline and keeps it pulled in nice and flat against my body. 

All things considered, this is exactly the dress I want it to be. ​I will definitely use this pattern again (and again).