Can you believe we’re almost through June? I hope you’re taking a little downtime to enjoy the season — whether it’s a vacation, a “stay‑cation,” or my personal favorite: sewing all day at home. Living in the country makes it easy to appreciate the beauty and natural wonder all around us.
This summer, I can officially check one goal off my list — and it feels so good. We’re heading to Alaska for a cruise, and I decided to sew my own dress for the formal night. It’s not required, but I couldn’t resist the challenge.
The Pattern
I used New Look N6696, a simple and elegant design. I’m in between sizes and have slightly smaller shoulders, so I adjusted the seams to 3/8 inch instead of 5/8. I also removed the back dart and replaced it with a “fake dart” — it gives the same look but adds a little extra room. The princess darts in the front and the invisible zipper in the back were my favorite details.
The Fabric
The fabric came from Amazon — not my usual choice, but after searching multiple sites and finding nothing that felt right, I decided to give it a try. It’s a beautiful navy satin jacquard, rich in color and texture. The only drawback is that it tends to ravel, so if I were to make this again, I’d serge all the pieces first (except around the neckline) to prevent fraying.
The Finish Line
Simple pattern, elegant fabric, and a few thoughtful adjustments — it all came together beautifully. I’m thrilled to have my formal dress ready for Alaska and even happier that it’s handmade.
Here is the picture below.
What I Learned From This Make
Every project teaches me something, and this dress was no exception.
- Fit adjustments matter more than perfection. Switching to 3/8″ seams and using a fake dart gave me a cleaner, more comfortable fit than forcing the pattern to behave.
- Fabric choice changes everything. The satin jacquard was stunning, but next time I’d serge every piece before construction to keep the fraying under control.
- Simple patterns can still feel special. With the right fabric and a few thoughtful tweaks, even a straightforward design becomes something elegant and personal.
Would I Make It Again?
Absolutely — with a few tweaks. I’d love to try this pattern again in a softer fabric, maybe a crepe or a lightweight brocade. Now that I know how the shoulders and darts behave, the next version would come together even faster. It’s one of those patterns that feels timeless, easy to customize, and satisfying to sew.
Do you have any formal events coming up this summer — or maybe a project you’re dreaming about? I’d love to hear what you’re making or planning to wear.
Happy Sewing,
Valerie
The Saturday Seamstress 