Category: McCalls

Me Made January – McCall’s 7531

For the month of January I completed 8 pieces. Here you will find 3 of the dresses completed using McCall’s 7531, one of my TNT’s and an absolute favorite dress to make. It can be styled with a printed or solid fabric and look absolutely different each time you make it. I went with prints for all of these. I love a good fun print, it’s kind of how I make my garments my OWN.

Yes you will see this dress again as part of my Spring/Summer collection, which I will start the first week in March. I plan to do some solid colors using View C.

This fabric is a knit border print that I purchased from Michael Levine a few years back. I say a few years because I can’t remember when I actually purchased it. Too much fabric shopping over the years. Did I really just admit that? Oh well!!!!

This green snakeskin like fabric was also purchased at Michael Levine, I think, if not there it was from Angels Textiles. I did a lot of fabric shopping during time I spent in Los Angeles and of course I can’t find my fabric album. I usually take photos of all the fabric from each trip in order to reference back when posting a blog in case someone wants to know where to purchase the fabric or something similar in print.

The last dress is out of this knit, but I am sure what kind of knit this one is. There is a good amount of stretch to it, but it has a silky feel to the fabric. I need to learn more about this fabric because I love how it feels against the skin and it was a nice and easy sew. I didn’t have any issues sewing this one. I have about 1.5 yards to make a tank top for the Spring.

These 2 dresses were made in the past using the same pattern. I guess you can see why I love it so much it.

I blogged about this one here.

  • Front – Round 1

Pattern Description: McCall’s 7531 Misses’ Knit Bodycon Dresses – Learn to Sew

Pattern Sizing: 4-14, I cut a size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it looks just like the pattern envelope when I completed it.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were so easy, by the time I made it to the 2nd dress, I have made this dress 5 times, I didn’t need the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? How easy the pattern is to make and the endless possibilities you have with the sleeve variations. Also depending on the fabric used, this dress can look so different each time it is created.

Fabric Used: Green Snakeskin look is an ITY Fabric, Black white tan look is a knit, Rose and white border print look is a knit, Floral print is a double knit, and the Blue white, black look is a double knit. All this fabric is fabric that was in my stash and purchased a few years back. I am sewing down my stash. The floral and blue dresses were the first made, but I hadn’t added to the Review until now. I want to say I made them both in 2018 or 2019. The other 3 looks were just made in January of 2020.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations needed I made view B for all of these looks. For summer I plan to make View C

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes as you can tell this pattern is one of my Tried and True (TNT) patterns. It’s quick and easy. What girl doesn’t want a new dress that she can she made herself?

Conclusion: Great pattern and I can’t wait for Spring/Summer Sewing. I will more than likely start that collection first week in March. Happy Sewing!!!

SMT – Stashed Gems Challenge Update

This challenge was exactly what I needed to spark that SEW-JO I so needed. I love this and I may repeat this each month, a girl can never have to many Me Made Garments in her closet.

So just to recap what the Challenge consisted of, sew using the patterns and fabric from your stash. Don’t BUY any new patterns or fabric, unless you need the fabric, to finish off a garment. I thought this was genius and started using the structure of this challenge in other parts of my day to day adventures as well. Like what, you ask? For example, we buy facial products and the nice lady at the checkout counter provides you with all these samples, some are samples of the very same products you are purchasing. I am using those, as I don’t travel much and when I do, it’s usually in the car and not on an airplane. Where can you use the rules for this challenge in your life? I also blogged about the challenge here in my 2020 Sewing plans. Go check it out if you haven’t already.

So what did I make during the Stashed Gems Challenge?

Week 1 Tops

Yes you have seen this top, probably 1 million times, from me alone. LOL!!! It is a quick and easy top and it helped me with busting my stash of knits.

This baseball tee, New Look 6230, I love the fit and the white fabric is super soft. I selected the gray for the sleeves because it is a little shear and I didn’t want to line this t-shirt.

The 2 bottom tops are Simplicity 8988. I didn’t do the raw edges on the outside, as I simply forgot that was the concept of the top. Ay yi yi, I am a creature of habit. So since I didn’t do the outside seams, I made it off the shoulder without the ties. I plan on using it for lounge wear in the house. I plan on making this one, the right way, blue in a sweatshirt knit I have in my stash. The fabric selected for this one was a sweatshirt knit as well.

Week 2 Skirt and Dresses

Yep, again McCall’s 8982 in the Dress. I don’t fit skirts well, store bought or Me Made, so you won’t see skirts from me, until i truly learn how to measure myself for the perfect fit. It’s another thing I have on my learn to-do sewing list. Pants and skirts. All the fabric here is knit fabrics purchased from Michael Levine’s way back in 2016. The black, pink, red fabric is a border print, so I placed the top and the bottom on the black portion of the border in order to give it that affect of matching the top and bottom. I then placed the sleeve on the floral section, with just a tiny bit of black to have a flowing of the pattern effect. That one is my favorite.

Week 3 Pants and Jumpsuits

This week has been a real struggle, school has started back and I am spending at least 2-3 hours a night doing homework, for just one class, MATH. Not my best subject either, but hey I am going to push through. I have a pair of jeans that I want to make and I think I picked a fairly easy pattern, but something about Jeans that just makes me nervous. I guess I just need to get it done.

The pattern I have selected for my jeans is Simplicity 8701. I have a denim fabric with 5% Spandex that I think will do the job. I will start on the fitting , take my time, and see how it goes. I am thinking to do a muslin first, but this fabric was so low priced, that if they don’t fit I won’t be to upset about it. Hoping to have them completed in about 2 weeks, to allow myself time to focus on making them and not feel rushed.

So on that note stay tuned…..

Simplicity Sewing Pattern S8701 Misses' Pants with Options for Design Hacking

Week 4 Outerwear/Sportswear

I made this cape, Simplicity A1226, using some pink and gray flannel. I think I bought this at Joann Fabrics, but it has been in my stash so long I can’t remember. The pattern is also out of print. I thought I had found one on Etsy, but when I clicked the link it stated that the page was no longer available. Oh boy look at all those scraps, under the table, I have been busy in January with my sewing. I LOVE IT!!! There are a few more days left in the Stashed Gems Challenge it ends on February 2, 2020. My plan is to continue on with busting down my stash and using the patterns I have already all year long. I am planning a trip to Los Angeles, in April, so of course I’ll be stopping by the Fashion District for some Spring/Summer pieces. In between now and April I am planning to make a list of makes, so that way I can select the fabrics needed, instead of just going hog wild, because they are all so pretty, that’s how I usually approach fabric shopping, but now I need shop smarter.

I will also be making my first make for someone else, so I heed good fabric, for that dress. I am excited for that too. Sewing for others has been on my list to do and now I have the opportunity to do it. So I am on it.

Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses. -Kobe Bryant

Rest in Peace 1978-2020.

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.

Blog relaunch, new content!!!

Hello all my beautiful sewists. I have come to the decision to relaunch my blog, in a few weeks, I need figure out exactly what I need it to be. I realize it needs some work done on it and I am going to take the time now to work on it. I will be adding additional content, such as, but not limited to, fashion, food, and lifestyle, pretty much all the things I love and do regularly. I felt as if I was limiting myself to only sewing. My sewing projects will be still be part of my content, as sewing is what I love most. With expanding my content I believe it be more exciting.

So for now enjoy a few of my favorite makes below. I’ll be back in a few weeks or so with a new look and new content. I will continue to post my makes as I work on my blog’s relaunch.

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

McCall’s 7757 Misses’ Tops and Pants View E

These loose fitting pants were exactly what I was looking for, for a stand alone pair of casual pants. By stand alone I mean, not attached to a jumpsuit. The pattern McCall’s 7757 describes the pants as a loose-fitting, pull-on pants with elasticized waist and pockets. Yep, that is correct, no zipper and no fancy facings. These are perfect for the hot weather we are experiencing this week and weeks to come.

These pants were a quick and easy sew. I had to be careful with fabric placement, as my fabric has some cute little birds on them and I didn’t want the birds to be placed awkwardly in the front or back crotch seams. I paired these pants with a tank top from Kohl’s that matched the largest of the two flowers and a navy blue cardigan from Nordstrom Rack. I have this thing about having my shoulders out in the office, it’s just me. Typically once I am out the office the cardigan comes off. You will also notice that I am wearing a sandal, instead of my tennis shoes, Yay!!! My foot is healing perfectly. I bought these sandals in the tan and black from Target, which are no longer available online.

I cut a size Medium and I love the fit. I did have to cut off 6″ from the original pattern pieces, that was the only alteration that I needed to make for this pattern.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Loose-fitting pull-on pants have elasticized waist and pockets. 

Pattern Sizing: XS-M, I cut a medium

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? Very easy, I had to check to make sure, I hadn’t missed a step.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Everything. How simple the instructions were, how the pants looked finishing them, and how they fit. 

Fabric Used: It is a type of challis. Unfortunately I failed to get the exact type off of the bolt when I purchased it. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Cut off 6″ from the bottom to accommodate my height. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, it is back in rotation on my sewing table as I write this review. 

Conclusion: Great pants pattern. 

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