RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: Lady Caroline on June 24, 2010, 04:48:41 PM

Title: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Lady Caroline on June 24, 2010, 04:48:41 PM
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4997-products-6402.php?page_id=493

I have loved this fantasy gown/pattern ever since I first saw it in 2008.  I finally got around to adding it to my stash today, not sure if I'll ever actually make it....... 17 yrds required!!!  An expensive project, unless I stumble across an amazing fabric deal.....

Has anyone else here ever made this one?
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: LadyShadow on June 24, 2010, 04:51:26 PM
I own it, but it is still sitting in the "I want to make" pile.
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Pinn on June 24, 2010, 05:41:58 PM
I have made it and wore it for years. I wish the sleeves had been detachable when I made it, it was super heavy
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: gem on June 24, 2010, 05:59:57 PM
My understanding is that this pattern runs HUGE. A friend had this made for her for a Ren wedding by a professional seamstress who was unfamiliar with Fair/period garb, and there was so much ease that it looked ridiculous (she actually posted the photos here when we were on the older forum). 

So based on her experience, I'd suggest:
1.) Pay very close attention to the finished garment measurements.
2.) Be prepared to go down a size or more.
3.) Mockup! Mockup! Mockup!

Good luck! And good luck with stumbling across that amazing fabric find!  ;D Even if you got something as expensive as $6/yard, you're still at around $100 for fabric, which is not outside the realm of reason for garb.
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Genievea Brookstone on June 24, 2010, 10:23:32 PM
Quote from: LadyShadow on June 24, 2010, 04:51:26 PM
I own it, but it is still sitting in the "I want to make" pile.

Ditto here
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on June 24, 2010, 11:13:44 PM


I concur with gem on a bodice mockup to ensure a proper fit.

I have this pattern also. If I make this some day for something other than Ren-related, I would make it out of a Polished Cotton in a busy print. Even a Quilter's weight Broadcloth would weigh heavy due to the amount of fabric required.

Make the  Sleeves detachable?? By all means, Yes!!!
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Kate XXXXXX on June 25, 2010, 02:00:02 AM
I have the pattern but haven't yet made it.  It is pretty.  I hadn't read the yardage.  I'm sure that with a little careful and discrete piecing in the right fabric,  I could get it out of less than 11m!
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Lady Caroline on June 25, 2010, 07:17:43 AM
Quote from: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on June 24, 2010, 11:13:44 PM


Even a Quilter's weight Broadcloth would weigh heavy due to the amount of fabric required.



I was considering broadcloth, since my Fabricland has all colours on sale for $2 a meter.  I was worried that it might be too thin...... but I think I can just line the bodice, and if all those yards in the skirt still seem thin, I can always buy a slip. Ok, I"m getting really excited now..... this may be a go!!

I am currently finishing BP226 (I think out of print)for GLMF in a couple weeks, and for my son to wear to Casa Loma next week:
http://butterick.mccall.com/b5656-products-3472.php?page_id=967&search_control=display&list=search.

So after these.......I shall attempt it :)  I would like to wear it to the Waterloo Medieval Faire in September.

Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Lady Caroline on June 25, 2010, 07:23:26 AM
Quote from: PinnMcrack on June 24, 2010, 05:41:58 PM
I have made it and wore it for years. I wish the sleeves had been detachable when I made it, it was super heavy
I was worried about the weight too!  The one I am working on right now (pics coming soon) see above...... is only 7 yrds, and is already super heavy!   I am really liking the broadcloth idea now....
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on June 25, 2010, 09:38:44 AM

Even in a Quilter's Weight Broadcloth, there are  many  lovely prints and colors available. Lace trim would add a nice touch. One could also make a simple underskirt to add a contrast as well as a nice chemise.

The ideas are many to make this pattern work. For the Bodice, I suggest underlining it in 1 layer of Cotton Duck for body, then line it. The grommets down the front will hold better.
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Rowan MacD on June 25, 2010, 10:06:39 AM
Quote from: Lady Caroline on June 24, 2010, 04:48:41 PM
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4997-products-6402.php?page_id=493

I have loved this fantasy gown/pattern ever since I first saw it in 2008.  I finally got around to adding it to my stash today, not sure if I'll ever actually make it....... 17 yrds required!!!  An expensive project, unless I stumble across an amazing fabric deal.....

Has anyone else here ever made this one?
I thought this looked familiar....Moresca makes this dress.  Looks practically identical to this pattern.
http://www.moresca.com/product_info.php?products_id=124
  Theirs is 275.00 in just about any color/fabric combination.  You can get some good ideas for your version from the pictures.
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: gem on June 25, 2010, 10:48:27 AM
Quote from: Lady Caroline on June 25, 2010, 07:17:43 AM
I am currently finishing BP226 (I think out of print)for GLMF in a couple weeks, and for my son to wear to Casa Loma next week:
http://butterick.mccall.com/b5656-products-3472.php?page_id=967&search_control=display&list=search.

This is one of the patterns I used for Milord's father's doublety-thing, and it turned out beautifully. I needed to mix a couple of Butterick patterns in order to fit him properly (at the time he was a medium in the shoulders and a 4X at the waist). The other one I used was B4574, and it sort of resembles that one more overall. This is not a great picture (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/17691164/314609899.jpg), but you can get the idea.

Pix! Pix! Pix!
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: LadyShadow on June 25, 2010, 12:36:08 PM
Quote from: Rowen MacD on June 25, 2010, 10:06:39 AM
Quote from: Lady Caroline on June 24, 2010, 04:48:41 PM
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4997-products-6402.php?page_id=493

I have loved this fantasy gown/pattern ever since I first saw it in 2008.  I finally got around to adding it to my stash today, not sure if I'll ever actually make it....... 17 yrds required!!!  An expensive project, unless I stumble across an amazing fabric deal.....

Has anyone else here ever made this one?
I thought this looked familiar....Moresca makes this dress.  Looks practically identical to this pattern.
http://www.moresca.com/product_info.php?products_id=124
  Theirs is 275.00 in just about any color/fabric combination.  You can get some good ideas for your version from the pictures.

This is the newer version of that pattern from Moresca.  I bought one from them about 12 yrs ago that only clasps under the bust and the sleeves dont come together at any points.  I wished I had a better picture to show of it.
Title: Re: McCalls pattern 4997
Post by: Elennare on June 25, 2010, 01:46:26 PM
I have not made that pattern, but a woman at my apartment complex made it for halloween last year.  She did it all in white, added wings, and was an angel.  It was GORGEOUS.