Win a Summer Dress/Romper Pattern by Melissa Watson

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Melissa Watson's summer dress in silk. The dress has a self-faced bodice and scalloped hem.

Dylan Coulter

Gingham makes an appealing version of M6331, a new pattern by Melissa Watson for Palmer/Pletsch.

Dylan Coulter

Here's an another angle on the gingham version of Melissa Watson's new summer dress pattern.

Dylan Coulter

McCall's M6331 is a new summer dress and romper pattern by Melissa Watson for Palmer/Pletsch. You could win a copy by commenting on this post!

Images courtesy of the McCall Pattern Co.

Melissa Watson's summer dress in silk. The dress has a self-faced bodice and scalloped hem.

Photo: Dylan Coulter

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Sundresses and rompers are perfect for warm summer days, and there's still time to sew your own with Melissa Watson's new dress pattern for Palmer/Pletsch.

McCall's M6331 has three views: two dresses and a romper. The fitted bodice has two variations. Thanks to Melissa's A/B, C, D bra cup fitting system with separate pattern pieces for the different sizes, it's easy to achieve a great fit.

The pattern is available in sizes AX5 (4-12) and DD (12-18), the dress has a pleated skirt with a scalloped hem and is perfect for lightweight fabrics. The romper pairs adorable shorts with the fitted top for a fresh summer look with a retro touch.

We asked Melissa for some notes and tips on her new pattern and she was happy to help!

"The inspiration for this package was a retro look. I love the bustier bodice with the gingham print. The fabric was really easy to work with, especially when sewing all of the curves on the bra cups," Melissa told us. "I initially had built-in bra cups between the lining and the fabric, but I found them uncomfortable and took them out."

A tip: Do not get frustrated if the bodice is not laying correctly! Once you have the zipper in and the neck strap, try it on, and it will all fall into place.

Style ideas: Cut the gingham skirt on the bias for an optical effect. Make just the skirt with elastic at the top for an easy, fast summer separate. Put boning in the seams if you'd like to wear this strapless.

"Another idea for this look that would be very cute is a sailor theme," Melissa said. "You could make the bodice blue with white lining, so that the contrasting lining pokes out of the folded neckline."

Leave a comment on this post before the deadline—11:59 p.m., August 15th, 2011—and you could be one of the two lucky winners to receive a copy of M6331. The winners will be chosen at random and announced on August 16th.

Patterns courtesy of The McCall Pattern Co. (Copyright 2011).

If you can't wait for cooler weather, get ready for fall with Melissa's new skinny jean pattern for McCall's!

Melissa was featured in "Designer Insider" in the Summer 2011 issue of SewStylish - on newsstands now!

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Comments (44)

serenawashington writes: This pattern is adorable! Exactly the kind of go everywhere summer dress I've been coveting at shops and thinking it would be great to make!
Posted: 10:23 pm on August 15th

Munchie66 writes: What a great dress,I especially like the different cup sizes.
Posted: 10:02 pm on August 15th

apples20 writes: awesome! looks like a great novice pattern to try!
Posted: 8:17 pm on August 14th

wharrison writes: I think this would be a great dress to make my teenage daughter to wear with her boots!!! Love it!
Posted: 7:41 pm on August 14th

whatachu writes: too cool and cute! I'd love to swirl that scalloped skirt down the street!
Posted: 9:54 pm on August 13th

bkristl writes: I love patterns and I'm dying to try one like this!
Posted: 9:26 pm on August 13th

KarenLongo writes: My daughter loves rompers and has been wanting me to make her one, and I've yet to do it. Winning a pattern could propel me into making her one! ;)
Posted: 4:05 pm on August 13th

sjune writes: The dress has cute details for fun look!
Posted: 12:50 pm on August 13th

EllACee writes: Love the bodice! I'd have to make it a little longer to cover the knees, but the flowing, flirty style would be perfect for hot Florida summers -- which, by the way last well into September, so there's plenty of time for me to win the pattern AND make the dress! ;)
Posted: 9:55 am on August 13th

Star55 writes: Love the retro feel!
Posted: 9:08 am on August 13th

Idna writes: I LOVE this pattern!!! it's really easy to follow and very versatile! thank you do much!!!
Posted: 6:59 am on August 13th

hojobj writes: I love that pattern and would love to make one for myself! I don't think I have anything quite this summery in my pattern collection.
Posted: 6:54 am on August 13th

dish_63 writes: Super Cute!
Posted: 3:03 am on August 13th

Cacauate writes: I would love to try to make one for meeee! Thanks! <3
Posted: 1:04 am on August 13th

azbarbara writes: Scalloped hem and variations available within the pattern - love it!
Posted: 10:14 pm on August 12th

PeaBea writes: I love femininity of this pattern . I would love to make it for my grand daughter.I love that pretty dresses are back in fashion.
Posted: 9:41 pm on August 12th

SarahL7 writes: This is so cute! Very versatile even though it's retro!
Posted: 8:47 pm on August 12th

minnieme writes: I love the unique styling of the scalloped hem. Very cute.
Posted: 7:15 pm on August 12th

KayDeeMe writes: Lovely retro dress. And I have just the fabric for it!
Posted: 5:57 pm on August 12th

FernandaM writes: Cute - I would love to try it!!
Posted: 5:41 pm on August 12th

Ursi writes: What a pretty dress! The idea of the separate pieces is great for fitting purposes. I'm thinking about my fabric stash right now!!!
Posted: 5:05 pm on August 12th

December27 writes: Very cute ... and I just happen to have some red gingham on hand!
Posted: 3:53 pm on August 12th

slmendes writes: How cute is this little dress! I would love to make it in an eyelet or nice cotton. I like the options to make it strapless with boning, with contrast fabrics, cute trims or top stitching. And the fit options are genious. I would wear this creation with great pride!
Posted: 3:25 pm on August 12th

emilymarie writes: adorable! I would make the playsuit version and hope the summer lasts a while longer!
Posted: 3:18 pm on August 12th

alouna writes: This is a really nice pattern. I sure love to try it.
Posted: 2:49 pm on August 12th

Keren_D writes: please pick me! I love McCall's patterns. I've wanted to make a romper for some time, and this would be a great push in the right direction!
Posted: 2:39 pm on August 12th

celynch writes: Such a fun pattern! Love the varied length skirt & the foldover detail on the top. Would be great to make with a contrast color lining on the top for a pop!
Posted: 2:08 pm on August 12th

AgapeStitches writes: I love this dress!!! I have more than a few fabrics on hand right now to get started!!
Posted: 2:07 pm on August 12th

angielovesmaps writes: this dress is SO cute! i want to make it for the summer....I hope i win!
Posted: 1:59 pm on August 12th

grammakim04 writes: This is a cute pattern, would definately make this dress.
Posted: 1:58 pm on August 12th

stelluchi writes: I know my girls would love this dress. Very pretty.
Posted: 10:00 pm on August 10th

Coatessa writes: I love the vintage inspired look:) You can never have to many summer dresses.
Posted: 9:57 am on August 10th

lindaloo5980 writes: How cute, I would love to make this dress!
Posted: 4:40 pm on August 9th

lizabugz writes: Great idea! This dress would look great on my daughter!
Posted: 9:22 am on August 9th

lolamontez writes: I love that the pattern is gingham safe! Christopher Kane and D&G have done gingham recently—so it can be done!
Posted: 9:57 am on August 5th

kmkehrer writes: Me! Me! Me!
I just love dresses for summer! Especially dresses I can dress up or down.
Posted: 1:56 pm on August 4th

detmarl writes: I love it! I love retro patterns, they are so much fun!
Posted: 10:05 pm on August 3rd

schiffli writes: what a perfect piece to style for the summer!
Posted: 8:52 pm on August 3rd

jennieMB writes: I love the idea of a sailor theme and having the bodice and skirt different colours.
Posted: 3:09 pm on August 3rd

BrickHouseFabrics writes: A wonderful dress! Love it in silk, but very fun in the polka dots! Seersucker and madras plaid would be great also!
Posted: 2:39 pm on August 3rd

PinkPandaParade writes: This is beautiful! I really haven't done a fitted bodice so this would be a great way to try!
Posted: 1:50 pm on August 3rd

Mimi_duke writes: I love this!!!!(: The pattern is amazing and the retro style remains me of something Taylor swift or Selena gomez would wear!! <3(;
Posted: 1:43 am on August 3rd

ShiningStar writes: This is a very pretty pattern. I love the retro feel.
Posted: 11:10 pm on August 2nd

TawnyBee writes: I love patterns that come with separate pieces for the fitted bodice portion. It's so much easier than having to adjust every single pattern I try for the proper sizing. Terrific dress!
Posted: 8:33 pm on August 2nd

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