Recently I was approached to
make Diner Dresses for a local diner uniform. The picture I was presented was
the typical close fitting shirtdress with a waist band, collar, short sleeves
and contrasting trims.
Their pattern of choice was McCalls pattern 6696, a shirtwaist dress with a 50s flair, Perfect for a Diner Uniform look.
Quickly making up a sample I discovered a discrepancy in the size of the collar and the collar band. The full size pieces clearly did not match nor did the collar band fit the neckline of the dress. Measuring the seam line confirmed the error.
This is the right hand side of the Collar and Band.
In the above photo the right pin is the Collar center front.
The left pin marks the Band center front.
Clearly the Collar and Band do not match.
Contacting McCall's Pattern Co.
After contacting McCalls by email and explaining the problem along with taking pictures of the pattern pieces, I could see it was going to require a phone call. Unfortunately the only way to contact the company was by email as no phone number was listed on their website. One last email requesting the number resulted in a McCalls consumers’ service person calling me.
After explaining the problem to
the consumers’ service person, she told me that she personally pinned the
tissue pattern and everything matched. She also told me to read the
instructions and that it clearly stated how the pattern pieces went together.
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This is the left hand side of the pattern pieces of the Band and Collar.
The center fronts are right on! No problem matching up the markings.
Politely I again explained the problem and asked if we could please establish a right and left for the two pattern pieces, Collar #18 & Collar Band #19, which we were able to do. Pinning the left side we agreed that it matched at Center Front, Shoulder and Center Back. Moving onto the right side the consumers’ service person grew very quiet and said "I will be right back."
‘Right back’ resulted in five
minutes on hold only to be cut off. Quickly calling the number back resulted in
no one answering. I could do nothing but wait for a return call.
McCall's Reply
McCall's Reply
After 25 minutes the same
consumers’ service person called back and explained that she spoke with the
pattern graders showing them the problem. After what I am sure was a quick
meeting with the manager and the graders they discovered that OOPS! They had an
error in the pattern.
Their plan was to grade the pieces and then
send me the corrected pieces. Meanwhile I could use the correct side of the
pattern cutting the pieces on the fold. Originally I had stated in more than
one email to please fold the pieces in half and they would see that they do not
match.
When cutting collars and
bands, I do not like cutting on the fold, I would much rather use a full
pattern piece. Luckily I can do just that.
It is nice to know that we
can contact pattern companies when there is a problem and someone will most
likely be able to help. I can’t help but wonder about those who have made the
dress and remain clueless.
Update
How to make the correction yourself:
Fold the Collar Band #19 in half
at Center Back, and note that one half is longer than the other. Use the
LONGER side of the Collar Band #19 and cut the Collar Band #19 on the
fold at Center Back. You will need to cut two on the fold.
Update
How to make the correction yourself:
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