Since hitting 50, I have decided to embrace all opportunities that may come my way and I was thrilled to be invited to write a review for B6676. This elegantly simple fit-and-flare dress pattern offers so many possibilities: two skirt options; two waist finishes; two styles of neckband – and that’s before we think about the hacking opportunities available. I chose to make View C in the largest size, with a flared skirt and a half tie waist.

I don’t toile properly very often – yes, I am too lazy, but I have been sewing quite a long time and these days I generally make and wear loose and boxy styles that require very little or no fitting. At 5’9” tall, I always need to lengthen patterns – the measurements and style of the bodice suggested that a full-bust adjustment (FBA) was also going to be necessary. It’s hardly a hack, but I decided that the skirt could definitely cope with in-seam pockets because, well, who needs a reason to add pockets to a dress?

Add pockets to any dress!

Find your complete step-by-step guide inside your FREE CraftWorld Magazine Issue 7.

Adding length didn’t require experimentation, but an FBA on a bodice with only a waist dart meant a proper toile was in order. It is possible to add a little extra by altering the waist dart alone, but for me this adjustment meant the creation of an extra horizontal dart at the bust. There are countless tutorials and articles written about how to do this, it really isn’t difficult and definitely worth the effort.

I made my toile from a scrap of curtain lining and an old zip for just the bodice. It takes a bit of extra time to make the toile, but once the pattern alternations were complete, I was away and the dress came together in no time.

The jury is still out on whether I have the print the right way up!

My stash didn’t yield any suitable fabric, but when shopping in Chester, I stumbled upon this beautiful sateen fabric remnant in Abakhan and knew it would be ideal. It has a slight stretch, a lovely drape and a subtle sheen, but it was the colours that drew my eye – the jury is still out on whether I have the print the right way up!

It was worth the effort to make a toile: I have a well-fitting and comfortable dress in a style that I love, but haven’t worn for a while. This is a good pattern to try out personal fitting alterations if you haven’t tried them before. I recall being told by an old aunt that it’s the pattern that needs to alter to get great clothes, not the body. Now, I am reviewing my pattern stash to see what else I should make the extra effort to create!

Make Your Own!

Butterick B667 is one of your gifts with Issue 104 of Love Sewing Magazine, which is packed full of dressmaking inspiration and includes THREE paper patterns for just £9.99.