McCall's 6559 - Striped maxi dress w/ star detail

I have finally jumped on the maxi dress trend, 2+ years after it began. They looked like they'd be hot, especially here in Texas. Also I like my legs and maxi dresses completely hide them. But this pattern was so incredibly adorable that I just had to try it.

While picking up this pattern and a few others, I happened upon the perfect striped knit to make the star version. After I got it home and washed however, I noticed that is was a very grabby fabric and clung to itself horribly. That worried me quite a bit, but luckily it doesn't cling to itself while it's on me.

I wore this yesterday for the Memorial Day holiday since it's a little patriotic. I made a straight size 10 and only had to modify the neckline, which was raised 1.5". I like the fitted bust and hip area and how the fabric skims over the midsection. I'm not sure how flattering it is around the top since I'm so small busted and prefer some sort of design element up there but oh well. This will get worn to the lake and beach and around the house. It is definitely comfortable.

 I hemmed it up 1.5 inches since it was a little long on me and really prefer a deeper hem anyway. The star was attached after sewing up the right side of the dress and before sewing up the left side - much easier then how the instruction suggested.

 The racerback cut is a fun detail. I love how the star wraps around to the back and I positioned it so that the stripes were not parallel with any of the pieces it was sewn to.

I finished all the seams with my overlocking foot, then topstitched them down. None of those seams are flipping up on the inside. Also, I had to secure all of the star's tips with a few hand stitches to keep the points pointy.

Here at the inside you can see where I made my own fabric facings. The instructions have you taking a double folded hem in these areas but that NEVER works for me. Why do they even include that finish at a curved opening? I've always used bias tape in the past but think I have finally gotten the hang of skinny fabric facings. These don't need to be bias as the fabric is very stretchy.

All in all it's a  great little dress that is super easy to whip up. I plan to make the colorblocked version at some point, too.