Several weeks ago I decided to participate in the McCall Patterns Shirtdress Sew-Along using McCall’s Pattern # 7387.  Here’s my finished dress!!  I’m very happy with how it turned out.  I will be using this pattern again, however with a few of my own changes.  YES!  Thinking about making another soon in the shorter version with sleeves!!
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I made some changes to the pattern for a more simplified construction to the front placket.  It was unclear to me why the front hidden placket and front facing were drafted as a separate pieces, so I decided to add a joined facing to both front dress pieces.
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I also decided to change the right front placket into a single piece cut on the fold instead of 2 separate pieces.
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Added stitching lines between the button holes and at the top and bottom of the hidden placket just catching the facing made the center front opening smooth and flat.
 P1090463These 2 alterations were very simple and made so much more sense to me. As a production pattern maker, we’re always looking to streamline sewing operations in the production process.  I had read comments in the McCall’s Sew-Along FaceBook group from others making this pattern, that the front placket was very confusing to them and that they gave up on it. I completely understood their frustration because I too thought the front directions were confusing.  This is why I made my simplified changes. That’s really the beauty of sewing for ourselves. We can make changes to suit us perfectly!!

Although my fabric has a very defined vertical pattern, there was also subtle horizontal pattern in the print repeat. I kept this in mind with my cutting layout so that they would be matched properly.

I did make one other deviation from the instructions where the center back attaches to the yoke. Instead of the large pleats in the center back, I did a soft shirring across the back width.  This allowed the back to fall nicely into the skirt portion without overlapping in an asymmetrical way. I may do the pleats on the next one, but I like the way this turned out.
P1090462So I give this pattern a definite thumbs up with my pattern changes.
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