Tag: learn to sew

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!!!

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McCall’s 7755 Misses’ Romper, Jumpsuit, and Belt -View D

This jumpsuit is everything. I made it twice and fell madly in love with this version. I think the fabric made the difference. This loose-fitting jumpsuit has a neckline with and encased drawstring, front and back neck slits, and POCKETS!!! Yes, pockets.

This is another one of McCall’s Learn to Sew patterns. The instructions are easy to follow and very detailed. Its exactly what a beginner would need to start with, if they are interested in making this Jumpsuit. Depending on which view you plan to make, you will learn the following skills:

  • Learn to sew a slit
  • Learn to sew a curved hem
  • Learn to sew drawstring casing

 

I made one adjustment to this pattern , yep you guessed it, for my height, I cut off 4″. It fits perfect. I did not close up the front or the back opening on the bodice, I am wearing a bandeau underneath. If you choose to, you can close that up, it’s your choice. 😉

The pattern suggested to use a cotton knit, interlock , gauze, or challis. I choose to use a lightweight knit that I purchased at Angel’s Textiles last Fall. I buy a lot of my fabrics Los Angeles during my vacation time. This a beginner pattern and I highly recommend that you try it. Who doesn’t love a fabulous jumpsuit? I can’t wait to wear this to dinner for my 21st Wedding anniversary next Wednesday

 

I can thank my daughter for always taking photos of me in newly made garments. She does a great job!!!

This was the first Jumpsuit that I completed. I wasn’t in love with the print on the fabric after I made. I may need to dress it up and play around with accessories like different shoes, earrings, bracelets, and a Fancy handbag of some kind.

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

McCall’s 7405 Learn to Sew Misses Dress & Belt

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I love this dress.  I am in love with all of my summer dresses, I am thinking it is because I love the shape of my shoulders. I have been working hard on my upper body this summer to take shape.

This McCall’s Learn to Sew Misses Dresses and Belt pattern is a loose-fitting, pullover that has a high neckline, with a necktie and a variation of hemlines.

I made View B because of the hemline. I like the curve of the hem on this view. If I were to create this garment again I would go for View A, the short version .

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The pattern suggested the following fabric choices: Medium weight Wovens and Knits: Challis, Cotton Knit, Crepe, or Gauze. I am the Queen of Knit Fabrics and I choose a medium weight knit. I believe I purchased this one from Angels Textiles in the Summer of 2017, can’t remember, that’s how much fabric I have purchased over the last 2 years so, A LOT!!!

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The pattern is sized for Xsmall, Small, or Medium. I cut the Medium, although the Small would have worked. I wanted the dress to follow so that’s the reason for going up a size. I had to cut of 4″ which seems to be my go to when making adjustments to Maxi dresses or skirts.

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The only notions that were required are bias tape and elastic. The instructions were simple and easy to follow. If I make this again the one thing that I would do differently is sew down the edges of each entrance and  exit on the neck tie so it doesn’t come out during laundry. It was lost after I wore it and I found it all tangled up with my socks.

 

 

Bye for now, time go Sew Something!!!