You know those patterns that you keep looking at? And looking at, and looking at…
The Fashion Star M6553 was one of them for me. I couldn’t get it out of my head, I simply needed to make it. I loved how interesting it was, and that it was comfy, yet fashionable. Then I came across a photo on Pat Bravo’s Instagram feed, and I was totally inspired. I knew exactly how I wanted to make this dress.
Incorporating the Art Gallery Carnaby Street Boutique Royal into a neckline for this dress perfectly paired floral and stripes in an interesting, fashion forward way. I love how I can take this dress from Spring to Summer to Fall, all with changing how I style the tunic. Here is a mini tutorial showing you what I did…
How to Add a Bib to the Top of your Dress Pattern
To add a fabric bib to the top of my tunic, I used the front facing pattern piece. I lined up my fabric where I wanted the center of the design to be, and cut around using the front facing pattern piece as my template for the shoulder and neckline. I then created a hem facing for the bottom of my new fabric pattern piece, and sewed it right sides together with my fabric. Then I cut, and cut, and cut the seam allowance as close to the sewn line as possible in all of the curves, turned and pressed. I then continued sewing my dress pattern as normal, and once I had the front dress sewn together, I simply sewed this bib design directly onto the front of my dress. Then finished with my dress construction as the pattern instructs.
I adore how it turned out, and look forward to wearing this tunic from Summer to Fall.

McCalls Fashion Star M6553 || Knit Stripe || Pat Bravo Art Gallery Carnaby Street Boutique Royal || Vintage Twist Bracelet || Hudson Leather Wrap || Kimberly Drop Earrings || Target Leggings || Sandals
Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…
Happy Sewing!
Oh my gosh, I love it! The bib is adorable, good work:)
thank you so much Bec!
Oh this is beautiful…I love it! I love the mix of stripes with the geometrical floral…beautiful!
Thank you Teresa! When I saw this fabric paired with the stripes on Pat Bravo’s instagram feed, I knew I needed to make it into a dress 🙂
Ooh that’s so beautiful! Love it!
Thank you so much Sarah!
I absolutely love this … And the whole outfit. Is the stripe a knit? Really inspired and gorgeous!
It is! I purchased it on-line from B&J Fabrics, the link is above. (not an affiliate or anything – lol). Just a great source of classic knit fabrics with nice quality! Thank you so much 🙂
Brilliant Jessica, you just keep getting better and better. I’m going to try this but have never sewn with knits? Do you need special thread/needles? I know it’s a stupid question but I’m a quilter…..
Aunt Deb!! I need to visit you and we can sew together 🙂 – when will you be in North Carolina next?
LOVE love love love this! Love everything about it. WOW!
Thank you so much Celina! I can’t wait to pair it with black leggings and boots this Fall 🙂 🙂 🙂
I LOVE THIS! Stripes are so in. And I loved how you paired my Carnaby Street Brit Boutique Royal with it. It’s darling! THANK YOU 🙂
Thank you so much for commenting here! I was completely inspired by your Instagram photo with the floral and stripe pillows.
Ah-ha! I see now. Love it! So glad you were inspired by my pillows! Do you mind if I do a blog post about your dress and your inspiration? THANK YOU 🙂
Of course not – I would be honored! Thank YOU. Hope you are having a great day!
THANKS! I’ll let you know when it’s posted. 🙂
Hi Jess!
I did a blog post about your outfit on my blog today!
http://patbravodesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/trending-with-black-white-stripes.html
Enjoy and thank again 🙂
This is so cute!
Thank you!
Saw your creation on Pat Bravo’s FB page. Very clever and well executed!
Thank you so much Jeannie!
Ummm…yeah…loved this! Thanks for posting…I now went and bought like 5 patterns from Mccall’s and hit up that huge sale! Wahoo!!!! Selfish sewing here I come!!!!!
Wish we could sew them together! I got this pattern too – love it! so cute and comfy! Plus those shoes…..adorbs!
Yeah!!! I cant wait to see what you make Shannon!!!!
Wow this is stunning!!! I want to make one. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you so much Suz!
great!
Thank you!
Absolutely trying this one!
So gorgeous!! Love the combo of the two and the way you put them together!! So creative. 🙂
I love that fabric on the neckline!!!