Firecracker Shirtdress with McCalls 7351

It's almost the 4th of July! Even though there will be no fireworks this year where we live due to Covid 19, I still made a dress that would be something that I would wear on a typical 4th of July.  This is a shirtdress using McCalls 7351 for my pattern and  stretch poplin with a border that reminds me of a string of firecrackers!

I used View C hem, and View D sleeves to get this combination.

This is what the fabric looked like before I cut into it.  It had a solid red border on both sides, and a slight stretch.  I was perplexed as to how to use the solid red in such a way that it would accent the main fabric,  and decided to have one solid band down the front, at the sleeve hems, and the other solid band on the sides of the handkerchief hems.

This meant turning the grain of the skirt pieces horizontally.  Here it is on my dress form in progress.  I would have loved to have made the collar in the solid red too, but just didn't have enough of the red border left.

Here you can see how that handkerchief hem works if I hold it out.  When it falls, the stripes really seam to be more diagonal than anything, but they aren't.

I tried it on with several different belts- mostly solid black, but they just didn't feel right- they detracted too much from the print.  I had this piece of red and white striped webbing, and I attached it to two gold rings that the interior opening was the same width as the belting, and made my own belt.  I also have the same belting in green and white, so now I'm on the hunt for a green fabric to make a dress from to go with it!

Here are the buttons- they are from Fabric Mart, as is the fabric, and were a great match.  How lucky was that!  If I had to go to a Joann's, I probably wouldn't have found anything quite as perfect.

I would recommend this pattern- it's quite straightforward to make.  I had to make my typical adjustments to get a good fit.

What are you doing for your 4th of July?  I'm making homemade sourdough hamburger buns for the first time, and am looking forward to a nice burger, sweet corn, and watermelon for dessert- just my husband and I.  Typical Americana 4th of July food in a very non-typical year.  Stay healthy and enjoy your 4th of July!

Happy Sewing!
Ann