I’m happy to report that I’m stitching along in the Nancy Zieman Knit Dress Sew Along! #NZKnitDressSAL

When I showed the dress and sew along to my daughter she seemed pretty excited to have one of her own. I was a bit surprised. She says, “Yeah, I’d totally wear that, but make it red at the top with a black bottom.” That was really really specific and a very fast answer from a 14 year old. After talking to her a bit more… this is what she had in mind…

Pretty great, right? Hello- STAR TREK inspiration!!!

The sew along is making Nancy Zieman’s pattern M7152 from McCall’s.

I found some black ponte knit and red matte jersey knit and set out to sew where no woman has sewn before… wait, they have, but still… The red jersey was lighter weight than the black ponte knit, but since the red will have a facing, I thought it would be ok to use the lighter weight. Only time will tell if I’m right. =)

The sew along is spread out over 3 days in May: Cutting, construction and finishing.

Unfortunately, my local shop didn’t have the fusible tricot interfacing to be used with knit fabrics, but the woven fabric I purchased felt like it had a little give in it. In hindsight, if I was going to use a woven interfacing, I probably should have cut my interfacing pieces on the bias, so I’d be certain they’d have stretch in them.

Grading seam allowances. Clipping corners. Notching curves. It was all really fast construction. In fact, the “hardest” part is remembering that the top is asymmetrical and pieces have to be, with certainty, face up or face down.

The facings are on- next stops: Top-stitching, fitting, side seams, shoulder faux-button closure and machine-stitched hem. Easy-peasy, right?

Stay tuned.