Pleats Oh Pleats Oh Pleats {McCall's 6433}

Pattern: McCall's 6433

Version: the secret version provided inside the instructions
Sizing: 14
Fabric: suiting
Notions: invisible zipper; hook and eye
Assembly time: 5 hrs
Instructions: found difficulty with understanding the directions both in the pamphlet and on the pattern
Modification: made skirt only
Recommend: no

Anyone who sews has a dirty little method that works for them, but others gasp at the idea. Get ready to gasp because I have a killer technique not suitable for many.


My least favorite thing to do is cut a pattern/garment out. So, I cut multiple projects at one sitting. Say I have three projects that I want to make, well I pull the supplies for each, cut the pattern, and place it in a bag to put in queue for stitching. I do fairly well at completing all the projects that I cut, but some wait to be completed for some time. McCall’s 6433 is one project that has been pushed to the back of the line since summer 2012.

Over the course of time, the design of this dress became less appealing. The low neckline became less attractive, which may be blamed on the weather, but I also had a different reaction to the silhouette. Not wanting to give up on the dress because it does have great merits, I took the directions out to give it a go. Embedded in the instruction packet was a brilliant idea. The designer made a note to turn the dress into a skirt. I tell you, this was the perfect variation for me because the skirt was what I liked best about the ensemble.

Let me just ask this though….McCall’s, why was this version not included on the envelope? 

No special attention is needed to make the dress into a skirt, at first, since the bodice and skirt are cut separately. The only modification is to cut a waistband on your own (since one is not included in the directions). I cut mine using a 3 inches wide strip to end with a narrow band.

Whether you make the dress or just a skirt, the directions for making the pleats are anything but great, good, or even mediocre. I found them somewhat unhelpful, confusing, and questionable. Though, you should follow the directions because there is some valuable information such as basting the pleats for easier installation. One thing that would have helped, is the use of pattern markings that included arrows for which direction the pleats lay. But, there is none. Included in this post, is the notes I made on the pattern during the constructions. Each pleat is made of a 1.5 inch section, making a 3/4 inch pleat when folded. The section between pleats is also 3/4 inch. The large dot (printed on the pattern) marks the stopping point for stitching.

In the end, I am happy with the garment. It is not something that I will wear all time, but it will be nice for work. Another version of this skirt or the dress will not be made by me. The versatile fabric makes the skirt something that doesn’t need to be replicated.