Category: patterns

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 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.

My Make Nine for 2019

I am so excited to be continuing on with my sewing for 2019. I have lots of plans to try new things and to bring back some of my favorite makes from the past 4 years.

To start 2019 I have selected 9 patterns to make that are garments I haven’t made in the past. These items will be made throughout the year along with others, but I wanted to showcase these as the ones that are on my list. Below you will find my list, they are not in any special order, but I have started the activewear pattern as part of the Activewear Challenge on the pattern review website, details can be found here.

The Jacket is almost complete, just need to add the sleeves and the zipper. The zipper frightens me, but it is one of the things on my list of challenges that I must conquer. The pants are a little tricky with the side pieces, but I think I have it figured out. I installed the side pieces by way of the Pattern instructions and it didn’t turn out like it should have, so I am going to take it out and do it again. Practice makes perfect, right?

Look for a blog post in the upcoming week for the finished garments for pattern #M7482.

I am most excited about making the underwear. These patterns have been on my list for the last 2 years or more and I keep adding them to the list and taking them off, adding them, taking them off. This time they stay, I will never know what skills I don’t have if I don’t at least try.

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

2. McCall’s 7547 – Misses’ Flared Jeans and Overalls, Skinny Jeans, and Shortalls

3. McCall’s 6841 – Misses’ Cowl-Neck Tops (this Pattern is Out of Print)

4. Simplicity 8701 – Misses’ Pants with Options for Design Hacking

5. Simplicity 8791 – Misses’ Wrap Tops

6. Vogue 9285 – Misses’ Top with Sleeve and Cuff Variations

7. Simplicity 8700 – Misses’ Jacket with Options for Design Hacking

8. Simplicity 8436 – Misses’ Plunge Bra and Panties – Once completed these items  will be modeled by my dress form, Brianna. I wouldn’t want an inappropriate blog post. 🙂

9. Simplicity 8229 – Misses’ Underwire Bras and Panties – Once completed these items  will be modeled by my dress form, Brianna. I wouldn’t want an inappropriate blog post. 🙂

Well I am off to go start of the process of installing in the zipper and the sleeves on the jacket. The weather is raining and extremely windy tonight, so I think it is safe for me to stay behind the sewing machine.

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

McCall’s 7846 Misses’ Ponchos

This Misses’ Poncho is great for the cold weather we have been experiencing in California. Finally it is cold enough to wear Ponchos, Capes, and Sweaters, and I absolutely love it. I choose view B as my option for this Poncho. It is a loose fitting poncho that has 4 different front variations. I liked the neckline on this one, as it isn’t a full turtleneck neckline and it can be worn dressed up or dressed down. I like versatility in the clothing that I make. I need everyday and work wear clothing in my line up.


The fabric choice for this Poncho was a Perfectly Plaid Acrylic Fabric – Black and Red from Joann Fabric. I feel in love with this fabric when I saw it in the store. It was the best choice for this project, although I love how it turned out. The pattern recommended a fabric with a moderate stretch, a knit with 35 % Cross Grain stretch and this Acrylic lacked that stretch. Without the stretch it restricts movement just a little bit. I let out the darts just a tiny bit and that fixed the issue. 

This Poncho will get lots of wearing time this year. I can see it with a black pencil, long sleeve black top, and a red pair of boots or booties. I have all these items in my closet already, oh wait did I just find an outfit to wear to a possible Holiday Party , a Girls’ Night Out, or a date night with the hubby. It can also be worn as I have styled it here, knee high boots, black leggings, and long sleeve black top. Cute and comfortable. This poncho is giving me some serious Holiday Season Vibes. 

McCall’s Misses’ Ponchos M7846

McCall’s Fall Pattern Review

Hello Sewing Beauties,

Just wanted to do a quick blog on a few of my favorites from the Fall McCall’s Pattern line. I’m on vacation, celebrating 21 years of marriage to my hubby this week in beautiful Coronado, CA., small, busy, beautiful island, right outside beautiful San Diego, CA. If you want a quiet vacation, surrounded by good food, beautiful views, and beautiful weather, I highly recommend stopping here.

This is the view from my patio this week. I could sit here all day long and be happy, all I need is my sewing machine, serger, a few quick patterns to make, and I would be happy everyday of the week.

1. M7837-Loose fitting top with side details. View A is my favorite view for this one. The fabric choices for this one is cotton blends, poplin, crepes, and polished cotton. I will be picking a cotton blend, just to get some more experience using cotton fabrics. I tend to lean towards the stretchy knit fabrics. If I expect my skills to grow, I will need to get out of the comfort zone of using stretchy fabrics.

2. M7834 – Semi-fitted front dress with elasticized back. View D is my choice, why? I love a maxi, it’s one of the garments that I make and wear all year long. In the summer a maxi can be worn with sandals or wedges, in the fall/winter a maxi can be worn with boots and an overcoat. The pattern fabric choices are crepes, cotton blends, challis, and charmuese. I am thinking cotton blend again, for this one as well. I haven’t constructed an all cotton dress. The fabric choice is going to depend on the prints that are available. I may have to order online to get something pretty. The Joann fabrics close to really on,y specializes in knit and cotton fabrics.

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3. M7848 – Fitted lined coat with front zipper closure, side seam pockets (it has pockets) and neckline, sleeve and length variations. View D is the one I have fallen for. The long overcoat is one that I love. You can wear anything under this coat, pantsuit or dresses/skirts. A coat in View D makes me think of Olivia Pope in Scandal. Her outfits and accessories were always very fashion forward. The pattern fabric choices are Wool Blends, Wool Flannel, Brocades, and Tweeds, plus the lining fabric. I am definitely going to need to do some research on these fabrics for the correct needles to use and how they should be sewn. I have not worked with either one. I am thinking a wool blend, just because I love the look of a nice Wool coat, so classy.

img_0142-14. M7836 – Fitted pullover top with dropped shoulder and sleeve variations. I like View C in this one, nut to be honesty, I like all the variations. Not a big fan of the seam down the front, but that can be fixed by cutting the front on the fold. If I were to make View D I would close up the keyhole, just because it’s a Fall top. The sleeves on View B are amazing, so you may see a couple of these from me in the Fall. I do not have enough tops and find myself wearing cardigans with everything. The fabric choices for this pattern are Moderate stretch knits (35% cross grain), Cotton Knit, Sweater Knit, Ponte, French Terry. I have a couple of Sweater Knit fabrics that I think will work great with any view for this top.

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These are my top 4 patterns of the McCall’s Fall patterns. I have a list of 16 that I put on my wishlist, but will need to go through the list again to pick my top 10. The handbag pattern is on my wishlist and I am thinking it will make it home. There are so many possibilities to make with this pattern.

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