Review: New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress!

1:30 PM

New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
The newest LBD for my collection is New Look 6524. I picked this pattern because of the really cute sleeve options. This pattern is really reflective of what's currently in stores now. You can't walk into a Banana Republic or Ann Taylor without seeing this style.
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
Normally, my go-to dress style is a sheath. But every now and then, I'll slip on a shift. When it comes to a shift dress, I like mine darted at the bust, loose through the middle and skimming over the hips. And most importantly, a shorter hemline -- like this one. Not necessarily mini, but definitely above the knees. That's the only way this style of dress doesn't go matronly as in Memaw's house dress and "sackish" on me.
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
My fabric is a black and white windowpane plaid suiting with stretch. For the pattern, I cut view D in a size 14 and graded to a size 16 at the hip. I added an inch at the waist and 2 inches at the hem. This made the body of my dress 40".
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
The fabric is a poly/viscose/elastane blend, but it looks like a tropical wool suiting and it cuts, sews and presses beautifully.
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
This is a really easy dress to sew... the kind that would only take a movie to cut and sew. But complicated it by having to match plaid
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
The dress has an invisible back zip and a facing. 
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
I finished off my pressed open seams with my serger.
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
The dress also has a walking vent, which I rarely see in shift dresses. And I hemmed using a blindstitch.
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
The sleeve ties are held together with D-rings. The finished size is supposed to be one inch. But I only had 3/4" D-rings in my stash. So I lessened the width. And I actually think I like the narrow size better.
New Look 6524 | Little Black Shift Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
I accessorized with less conservative accessories so that the dress wouldn't look so corporate and conservative in this professional menswear fabric. It's such a cute style, that I could even see pairing this with a pair of Chuck's!

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24 comments

  1. This is sooooo cute and I would have been making a copy of this for sure in my old life. However, in my new incarnation I can only stare admiringly at yours.

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    1. It will work in so many fun fabrics! Thanks Carolyn!

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  2. I love 💕 this dress, Erica. So very flattering on you. It is classic yet updated.

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  3. Love your dress! Those sleeves add enough "interest" to make it anything but plain.

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    1. Such a cute touch! Thank you Irene!

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  4. The sleeves still have it this year. Very nice dress!

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  5. Anonymous6:00 AM

    Ooooh I ❤️ The detail on the sleeves, gonna use that soon. And the dress suit you lovely! You are inspring, thanks

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  6. Love this! I don't normally pay attention to New Look patterns, but this one is great. I could also envision using fancy buckles instead of the D rings---think M&J's blingy buckles for a real flash on an otherwise prim (but still sexy professional) dress.

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    1. I could see this in an evening style as well with blinged out buckles. Thank you Mary!

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  7. I agree it does look very chic and sexy - it fits you so well and WOW that pattern matching is to the moon! Love the sleeves - they make it look like a dress you paid a small fortune for - except how on earth did you ever find a dress that fit you so well?? :)

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  8. So, so cute! I love the sleeves.

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  9. Great great dress! You have such beautiful taste!
    I agree that a shift dress should be above the knees!

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  10. You look great! Nice choice of shoe color. Be blessed.

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  11. Beautiful! Love the sleeves! Do you make muslins first?

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  12. Hermoso vestido. Me gusta mucho tu estilo clasico pero con detalles originales. Adoro tu blog. Te abrazo desde buenos aires Argentina

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  13. HI I've made this pattern too. But I actually found View B sleeve very tight fitting and it actually didn't fit.. I noticed that the sleeve seemed to curve in at the widest part of the arm. Did you have any problems with the fit of this pattern? Thanks from New Zealand.

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