I heard you wanted more beautiful dress pattern suggestions for Date Night! Well, I’ve got you covered! I love to share my latest finds with you and this dress is no exception! This dress is so romantic and flowing, I was definitely twirling all about in it! This is one you might want to add to your list!

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Pattern Details

Today, I’m sharing about McCall’s 8211. This dress had so many romantic details that I could not stop thinking about it! It’s a woven dress pattern with so many beautiful details that really are flattering!

There are three different bodice options in this pattern. All versions have a square shaped neckline in the front and back. Version A is a puff sleeve that is fully enclosed! It’s meant to be worn off shoulder. So pretty! Version B (the version I chose) is a flutter sleeve that can be worn over the shoulder or off the shoulder. Both sleeved options have elastic that’s inserted into a channel made at the top of the sleeve. This makes the design really easy for those who struggle with set in sleeves, especially with the slippery wovens recommended for this pattern. Version C is a gathered halter style so it has no sleeves but has a bias tie, instead.

There are two waistband options for this design, as well. Version A/B has a plain waistband that’s interfaced. Version C (the version I chose) has a ruched waistband. I chose to mix the bodice and waistband and I love how they look together!

There are two different skirt options in McCall’s 8211. There is the gathered skirt on Version A/B which doesn’t use very much fabric because it’s knee length! There is the 3 tiered skirt on Version C, which I chose to use. It’s pretty fabric hungry and comes just below the knee. It takes about 1 yard more for the Version C skirt! I love the tiered skirt because it has so much movement and it’s just a little more dramatic! But, both options are absolutely lovely!

Pattern Adjustments/Changes

I made my usual adjustments to this pattern by lengthening the waistband by 1.5” but no other adjustments. It made my dress look like the pattern intended, however, in the future I will probably not lengthen the waistband but lengthen the top tier of the skirt instead. I just think I will prefer the look of that a little more!

As I mentioned, I did some mix and matching for this pattern to be what I was looking for. I chose to wear my Version B sleeves off the shoulder like Version A is pictured. And I have Version C’s waistband. It did give me some slouching in the bodice which disrupts the ~temperamental~ ruched waistband! I do talk about how ruching with stable or drapey fabrics can be finicky, but I still didn’t do any tacks to help keep the ruched look in place on this dress. That could be my mistake but when I wear this dress with the sleeves over my arm like a traditional sleeve, the slouching is not as much. So, I say this because, if you wish to make this design and mix as I have, tack the ruching in some places and press hard! With steam! …If appropriate for your fabric!

The final change I will talk about is to the bodice! I chose to fully enclose this bodice so that I did not have to hand-stitch anything! That is Always my preference when it comes to sewing! It makes for a very clean and neat finish plus it gives me less stress about my dress falling apart because I suck at hand sewing!

Fabric Acknowledgment

This pattern calls for eyelet, gingham, cotton blends and sateens. It’s fair to say that this pattern will work well with light weight woven fabrics whether they have a fluid drape or are more stable. Some other fabrics that I think would work well are linens and linen blends, challis, Georgette, charmeuse, lawn, and voile.

I used Turquoise Liza Georgette from John Kaldor to make this design. I was gifted this fabric from Minerva to create this beautiful dress! I chose to highlight the beautiful border feature of this print! It’s an abstract design that has a navy solid border on each selvage edge. I cut all my pieces as specified until I cut the bottom tier and sleeves. For these pieces, I rotated them crossgrain on the fabric to get the most of the border. This Georgette is flowy and so lightweight! It’s blows in the wind beautifully!

Final Thoughts

This is not what I would consider to be a quick pattern to make but it is worth it! There is lots of gathering if you choose the options I have and if you’re anything like me… that is enough to communicate how long it will take you! But it is not difficult to construct! McCall’s 8211 is still an EASY pattern and super cute! I’d recommend you give it a try!