Author: Riesha Nicolle

My name is La Riesha Simmons, family and friends call me Riesha. I began sewing in 2014. I currently sew mostly for myself with the exception of sewing a few things for family and friends.

McCall’s 7688 Misses’ Knit Tops and Dresses’

For this pattern, I made view E, for the second time (see last photo for first one). I love that the dress is versatile and can be dressed up or down, depending on where your headed. It can be worn with boots for a dressy look or it can be worn with sneakers for a casual look while running errands on a Saturday morning.

There are several fabric suggestions that McCall’s has listed in the pattern, Sweatshirt Fleece, Frech Terry, Cotton Knit, Velour. For my fabric selection, I choose this Red, White, and Black Camouflage print from the Fabric Outlet in San Francisco, Ca. The link is Here, but this color is no longer available on the website. I did purchase this fabric in store.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit Tops and Dresses 

Pattern Sizing:XS -M. I cut a small. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it was exactly what I expected once it was all done. 

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy and pretty straight forward. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I was happy with the pattern and that it fit. 

Fabric Used: Red, white, and black camouflage French terry from the Fabric Outlet, San Francisco, Ca. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations to this one. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, in a solid color, maybe black for casual everyday wear. 

Conclusion: I like this one and can see myself making this again. 

This fabric is a sweatshirt knit, that I purchased at Joann’s fabric, a few years back. I made this dress in 2018.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!!

Simplicity 8529 Misses’ Knit Sweaters

Simplicity 8529

I typically don’t wear this style of top, but for 2019 I am stepping out of my comfort zone. I had just enough of this fabric leftover from making McCall’s 7833 and Vino is the color of winter. One of my favorites along with mustard yellow and hunter green.

McCall’s 7833

I do like the way it fits. I styled it with a pair of white leggings and Vino knee high boots. These boots are a pair of my favorites, not only for the color but also the comfort and the heel height is perfect.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

McCall’s 7061 Misses’ Tops, Dress, Shorts, Pants and Slippers

I needed lounge wear and easy to put on clothing for the foot surgery I had back in January. Dr. said I would be down for 6 weeks with no pressure on the foot. I am going into week 3 and he was right. So before my surgery I made a few pairs of Pajamas pants with wide bottoms to fit over my cast and this this piece. McCall’s 7061 Misses’ Dress View B, I liked the hooded version to add more warmth, as I am always cold.

McCall's 7061

Well once I tried it on and added my boots to it, I thought this could be worn as an outfit and not just lounge wear. It’s perfect to wear now and I wouldn’t have to worry about getting it over my pink fancy cast and it is long enough where I wouldn’t have worry if I was showing too much when riding my scooter when I need to go out.

I was happy with the length and how this one turned out, but not sure if I want or need another hooded dress in the fleece material. If I were to make it again, I would use a little bit lighter fabric, this one is heavy and will keep me warm for sure.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Tops, Dress, Shorts, Pants and Slippers

Pattern Sizing: 4-14 Cut a Size 8

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, It looked exactly like the envelope.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, even with adding the hood to the top, the instructions were straight forward.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? liked the style of the dress.

Fabric Used: Fleece from Joann’s

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations were made on this one. I was able to cute the size 8 without any additional alterations.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would make this garment again, maybe not in the heavy fleece fabric. I would pick a cotton or interlock Knit for another one.

Conclusion: This one is a winner for me. I love it.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!!

McCall’s 7477 Misses’ Hooded, Collared or Collarless Capes, and Belt

I was glad that Sewyourview over on Instagram picked this pattern for the #sewyourview for the November pattern. There is a monthly pattern pick, so check them out over on Instagram. So many great versions of all patterns selected.

I picked this fabric for this cape, as I was undecided on two other options and I was glad I went with this one. This fabric was purchased at Joann Fabrics here. It’s a Perfectly Plaid Acrylic fabric that had just the right amount of design for it not to be plain. I paired it again with my favorite white leggings, I need a new pair of jeans, LOL!!! Jeans are on my list of makes so let’s see what I can come up with next.

I cut the medium on this one, but usually I would have cut a small, but I wanted it to have flow to it. It flows perfectly. I had no issues with this cape, the only issue was getting photos of myself in the cape. It finally worked out.

M7477

Although these photos have the top of my head slightly cut off, they were the best one’s I could get before my foot surgery, which I am currently recovering from as I write this post. I love that I was able to get some close ups of the cape and lots of me smiling, It’s hard to catch me in a photo with a smile, but I am working on that too. I am a pretty happy person, but rarely smile in photos. I think it makes my face look chubby.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Hooded, Collared or Collarless Capes

Pattern Sizing: xs-xxl

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that the instructions were easy to follow and it turned out how the envelope looked.

Fabric Used: Perfectly Plaid Acrylic fabric

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None on this one. I did cut the Medium, usually I would cut a small, but I wanted more flow in the body of the cape.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would sew this again, in a solid color, like a bold blue or a hot red.

Conclusion: I love this cape and it will last me all throughout and I can dress it up or down.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

McCall’s 7482 Misses’ Asymmetrical Zip-Jacket and Seamed Leggings

I really LOVE this jacket. The Asymmetrical Zip, the option to color block or use a solid and fun print as I have, has me wanting more jackets like this. Brianna, my dress form, is not the right “person” to model garments with hoods. I constructed both of these pieces as part of the Make Nine for 2019, from Instagram and the Pattern Review Activewear 2019 Challenge.

The side seam of the pants was a little difficult and had me second guessing if I wanted to complete the pants at all. I put in one leg following the instructions and it didn’t come out like it was supposed, so to the good ole seam ripper I went. I took it apart, laid it on the cutting table, re-pinned it with a thousand and one pins, really, to get it to stay in place as I sewed it back together. That worked, pants leg number one was done. Woohoo!

Pattern Description: Misses’ Asymmetrical Zip-Jacket and Seamed Leggings

Pattern Sizing: 6-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes exactly like the pattern. I as pleasantly surprised it looked so much like the pattern.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow, with the exception of the side panels. Placing them in the lower seam was a little intension.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the Asymmetrical Zip on the Jacket. It was the first time I have installed a zipper in the diagonal and on the first try.

Fabric Used: I used 2 activewear knit fabrics purchased from the San Francisco Fabric Outlet, San Francisco, CA.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn’t add pocket on the sleeve. My arms are a little on the bigger side at the bicep level, so I don’t like anything extra on the arm.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would definitely sew the jacket again, not so sure about the pants. One pair of the fancy pants are enough for me. They are a great sew for anyone looking for activewear pants.

Conclusion:  I am in love with this Jacket.

Thanks to my hubby for taking my photos. He gets credit for these photos, we are both still learning how to use our camera.