McCall’s 8237

This is a versatile design you can wear as a tunic-length top or above-the-knee dress. It has a gathered center front with a 1-inch-wide button placket closure; extended shoulders forming the short sleeves; optional set-in, two-piece long sleeves gathered into 2-inch-wide buttoned cuffs; and a shirttail hemline finished with a narrow hem. The V-neckline is finished with a neckband that extends from the front placket. The center-back seam and waist darts add vertical detail and help create a refined fit. The pattern instructions and illustrations are accurate, corresponding seams align, and there are sufficient notches and matching circles to assemble the garment. It calls for intermediate sewing skills, with the only difficult part being the narrow hemline along the curved edge.

 

Our tester suggests:

• For the center-front gathering to maintain its shape and define the figure, choose a stiff, non-drapey fabric.
• As an interesting twist, replace the gathers with tiny pleats.
• Use decorative topstitching with contrasting thread. This dress/tunic can be your go-to casual garment just as easily as it could be dressed up.

(Sized Misses’ 6–24 for busts 30-1/2–46 in. and hips 32-1/2–48 in.)

SomethingDelightful.com

—Tested by Ruthe Ploskunyak, Wirtz, Virginia

Sewing tip: To stitch the hem, serge the raw edge and fold it up along the serging.

This review was originally published in Threads #218, Summer 2022. Have you made this pattern? If so, be sure to share pictures in our Readers Closet gallery.

Illustrations by Cassandra Bernier.