Tag: #thesewcialsewist

McCall’s 7836 Misses’ Top with Sleeve Variations

I have needed tops in my wardrobe line up for sometime. With me still doing the Ready to Wear Challenge, I couldn’t purchase any as part of the Challenge. I had already picked this top to make, when Leslie Bentley, Master Teacher over at  The Sewcial Place on Facebook, announced that she was doing  a free Sew-Along for a limited time. The tutorial can now be purchased if interested in making this top under her fabulous direction.


McCall's 7836
McCall’s 7836 Misses’ Tops

Please excuse the writing on the pattern, as I write on them, so I don’t forget which view I am making or if I made alterations to the view. In this case I didn’t use the sleeve on View D.  I wanted this top for the Fall/Winter weather.I went with the Bodice on View B and Sleeve on View C.  I am not a fan of the close up neck on tops. I have really short hair and  it just looks weird on me when wearing a mock or turtleneck top. In case I actually like this one.


I used a knit fabric, that looks like denim, it is super soft and I absolutely love how it feels. It is not to heavy or too light and can be worn with or without a sweater. The one thing that I didn’t like about the top was the flair at the bottom. I probably could have gotten away with cutting a smaller size. I cut the size 10. To avoid the top looking too big for me, I tucked only the front into my pants.  I think its cute. I thought how could I style this top for a cute everyday or a casual Friday outfit for work. I styled it with a pair of Sam Edelman riding style boots from last season and  a pair of white leggings, that are lined and perfect for winter that I purchased from Nordstrom 


I haven’t decided if it is one I’ll make again, now that it’s finished. It’s possible it could be a one time make. I think it came out very well, but I am not in love with it, as I am with some of the other pieces I have made in the past. Tops are definitely on my to do list and there will be more coming soon.

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

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!!!

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!!!

 

Summer 2018 Pattern Haul Part 2

Here is Part 2 of my Summer 2018 Pattern Haul. My goal is make at least 2 per month. Lately I have been sewing a lot and I am really enjoying my time in my space.

McCall’s 7778 Misses’ Dresses, Romper and Jumpsuit

View D, once again it’s another Jumpsuit. I am so in love with them right now. I am going for the longer version. This version can be dressed up or down. I don’t have a color of fabric in mind for this one, but if I could find this golden canary yellow, that would be fabulous. The suggested fabrics for this pattern are  Linen, Cotton Blends, Challis, and Stable Knits.

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McCall’s 7773 Misses” Dresses

The multiple variations of backs on this pattern is what caught my eye.  If I had to pick a favorite View B would get my vote. I just ordered and received a black and white polka dot fabric from Fabric.com. It is a Stretch ITY Jersey Knit Dot Black and white, on sale for $5.68 per yard. It has an amazing feel to it. The suggested fabrics for this pattern are Moderate Stretch Knits (35% Cross Grain):  Ribbed Knit, Cotton Knits, Jerseys, and Interlock.

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McCall’s 7775 Misses’ Dresses

View B would be my choice for this one. It has a fun summer vibe to it, that can be dressed up for any special occasion event. Although this is not a super fancy dress, it will be my Segway into maybe formal wear. Let’s hope I can master this, as I want to improve on my skills to start making more pieces that are strictly out of my comfort zone. The suggested fabric choices for this pattern are Crepes, Crepe De Chine, Stable Knits, Cotton Blends.

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These patterns and the Patterns from my Summer 2018 Pattern Haul Part 1 post will definitely keep me busy this summer. We have already reach the 100 degree mark for weather here in California and there are more to come, so I will be in my sewing studio with the Air Conditioner running, working away at my creations. Happy Sewing Everyone.