Cozy

Fall has been more or less glorious so far. We thanksgivinged. Our ridiculously big new dining room table got a workout. There was turkey, family, and good times aplenty. What there wasn’t was a lot of sewing time.

I was an idiot and took out a rather complicated project from work that may yet kill kill me. So in avoiding that (it’s almost done, I promise) I took out a different one that’s simple as pie: McCall’s 7622

Maybe not my best idea ever, but it was definitely the feeling of accomplishment I needed!

This is my second attempt at a tent style dress. The first one I wimped out and ended with a more-or-lesss fit and flare maxi. This time, after a year of absorbing the trend, my aging stylistic sense may have finally come around to it… anyway, I’m sticking with the tent. At least for now.

This is essentially a T-shirt pattern, which means it was mercifully quick to sew up. Version one is a cozy French terry in a marled grey, which I feel like is a color that screams “curling up in comfort.” I made the basic long sleeve version, as you can see.

To my surprise, the pattern includes pockets! I’m not convinced they’re the best idea since I think they’ll weigh down the swishy side seams, but I included them in this version because I knew I’d enjoy having them, and this is the version meant for cozy comfort, not style.

I made the size S, though my measurements are pretty much in the M range these days—it worked well but the sleeves are quite snug, so I would say it’s pretty much true to size. Also, there was no excess ease in the sleeve cap. It went in perfectly! I don’t think I’ve experienced that in a Big 4 knit pattern before. This almost makes up for the instructions to turn and hem the neckline. I bound mine after trimming off the seam allowance. .

Version 2 is in a very fun burnout velvet that doesn’t have quite enough stretch for the pattern. I let the sleeves out as much as I could, and I cut the neck band to the largest size (and then cut the neck hole larger to match.)

I went with the peep shoulder view because, fun. Although I confess I’m a little worried peep shoulder + tent silhouette are pretty trendy, in the sense that they’re probably both already passé. Screw it. It’s fun. And it’s not like I live in a fashion capital of the world.

I feel like it will be a very fun dress for the holidays.

Next up is Hallowe’en costumes. Though really what I feel like making are sweatshirts and cozy leggings. And that Vogue pattern. I just need to attach top and bottom halves and do buttonholes and other finishing details. I can do it.