Monday, November 22, 2010

Still Trying...UPDATED

I have a dilemma with M5686. I'm not so sure about the fit even if I do re cut another muslin in size 12. I let out the bodice pleats and the waist darts and it was still strangely small. It has something to do with the shoulders and armholes. So, how could adding only a quarter inch to each seam (1" total) make it fit? Also, the fact that I could not find online even one person who had made this dress without problems doesn't help it one bit. Such a cute design but discontinued so early makes me wonder too.

Remember, I had already cut the pattern so when repairing it I had to fudge a little bit and be creative about what I cut off. The pattern is now out of print so I can't just go and buy the next size up. I checked the Internet and the only copies of this pattern up for sale are the same size I have.

Does anyone have M5686 in a size 14-16-18 that they want to get rid of? If so, I will send you any pattern in my Etsy store that you want in exchange.

I looked through my pattern stash to see if there was another dress I wanted to use instead. Unfortunately, not in this fabric. I really wanted a Mad Men-like dress in this print and most of my other dresses are more loose and shift-like.

M6011 M5686

McCall's did bring out another dress pattern, M6011 (in the same collection, Easy stitch 'n save) with almost the same bodice and I'm tempted to go buy that one and frankenpattern it with this skirt. What do you think? It's only $3 or is it not worth the trouble?

Vogue 8701

UPDATE: Now I'm thinking Vogue 8701 for the bodice? Closer still, but not as cheap a replacement.

6 comments:

Antoinette said...

M6011 looks like it has a higher waist than your M5686 FWIW. If I had M5686 it would be yours, but I don't.... I will let you know if I see any other alternatives....

The Slapdash Sewist said...

I have tried a couple patterns like M5686 and just not had success with them. But if you're dead set, you can also consider Simplicity 2579. It has the midriff to contend with (but I actually like the shaped midriff quite a bit). I made it over the summer but haven't reviewed. The neckline is very wide and the shoulder straps too narrow, and in my usual size the bodice was a tiny bit small (not in fit, but the pleats open up so as to be invisible). A very lukewarm recommendation!

zilredloh said...

I just made this dress, and the bodice is really similar to what you're looking at.

http://www.simplicity.com/p-5142-misses-dresses.aspx

It's a new look pattern #6968.

Pin Queen said...

Hi - I ditched M5686 as I had a similar issue - it was just SO small. I'll check my stash of patterns and get back to you - I cut a 12 but sometimes purchase ducplicate patterns for customers bear with me...

Anonymous said...

If it helps you in your search for a replacement, try looking for McCall's 5466. That is the exact same dress pattern as M5686, just not in the Stitch & Save line. It is also recently OOP, but might give you another option in trying to finding it online. I just found both of those pattern numbers on eBay in the 14-18 size range, so perhaps one of the two options might still be available. HTH!

lsaspacey said...

Thanks so much everyone, especially Anonymous. I knew I had seen that dress design somewhere else! I had actually read Slapdash's review of it too! If only I had remembered I wouldn't have tried it at all. I will still muslin it in the right size just to know but will probably use another pattern. The Vogue is looking real good but I want to use it for the plaid, don't know if I want two dresses with the same bodice.