McCall's 7868

Today I have for you a top I made from the remnant from my Isabella skirt.  I am working so hard to have a zero gain in my stash of remnants.  So far, this proves to be working!  

Back to the pattern...

                   

I am loving these looser fitting tops right now.  Especially in pretty prints.  

Here's the description from the back of the envelope: 

Very loose-fitting tops have neckline and sleeve variations. A: Neck binding with hook and eye closure, elasticized sleeves. B: Collar with tie ends, button cuffs. C: Stand collar with hook and eye closure, button cuffs. D: Stand collar with hook and eye closure, button cuffs, elasticized waist with purchased bias tape casing.

So this is fairly close to the pattern photo, except for the width of the sleeves at the cuff.  Check out the difference between the pattern photo and mine. 

This was a very easy sew.  As usual, I did a bunch of flat pattern measurements and determined my size from there.  I only had to lengthen the bust curve and the area between the shoulder blades and waistline.

Since this is a looser fitting top, it's very comfortable to wear.  My only very slight concern is how low the front slit is.  I didn't wear a cami that day and wish I had!!!

I also noticed that the hook and eye at the neckline flies open once in a while.  Just be aware!  If I am feeling ambitious, I plan on taking the collar apart at the front opening and attaching some button loops and buttons.  Maybe just one...or possibly two.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Another McCall's 7432 in blue!

Welp, I made another dress.  I told myself no more summer dresses, but I simply couldn't help it.  I am sure you know what I mean.  

This time, I used one of my TNT patterns: McCall's 7432.  I love this pattern, almost as much as I love McCall's 6886. 

In a moment of weakness, I picked up this blue floral knit from JoAnns.  It washed and dried beautifully and didn't pill or stretch out of shape.  I think this dress will hold up.  Sometimes with Jo's you get burned.  I hope it's not this time as I really like this dress!  

Here's the pattern I used: 

It's very basic.  I like the A-line shape along with the three choices of necklines along with sleeve and length options.  

I made view E.  I think it's a classic shape and style for summer.  

As I am always trying to improve fit, I've finally come to realize that when I use a cottony-feel knit, I absolutely must make a seam at the center back waistline.  I use a 1/4" seam at the sides and taper to almost an inch at the dead center back.  This accommodates my swayback.  I've done this on my beloved McCall's 6886 and any time I use this type of knit, I have to with any pattern that doesn't have a seam there.

Here you can see it better.  See how much nicer that fits me?

For the neckband, in previous makes, I found the neckband to be rather wide and hang outwards from your body.  With this neckband, I cut it almost 1/2" narrower and tested it numerous times to make sure it hugged my body.  It does.

Another neckline trick I use is to put the garment on my dress form, and pin the neckband (or sleeve bands) to the garment.  Once I am happy, I remove it and sew.  This works beautifully for me.

For the sleeves and hemline, I used 1" hems and SewkeysE tape.  That stuff is what miracles are made of.  I read a post from Kenneth D. King stating that better knit dresses use 1" hems.  Guess what I now always do for knit hems? 

Thanks so much for reading and I hope your summer sewing is something you feel good about!

Sue

A little summer sewing: McCall's 7903

I love sewing for summer.  Actually, I love sewing for every season, but with our spring almost non-existent, there's something about making summer garments extra-appealing.  Here's my latest: 

This cute little top is loose-fitting with all those flounces!  Aren't they awesome?  I made view C.  I simply love the fabric I used.  The manufacturer is Art Gallery and this is a Viole.  It's light and breezy, perfect for a hot summer day.  

Here's mine.  I'm not sure this is the best use of this fabric, but I do really love the colors and the print.  I'll wear it a bit and see what I think....

When the pattern says this is loose-fitting, it is.  Believe it.  Typically, I try to size down but I wanted to try this as written.  I didn't want to mess with the flounces and how the hang from the bodice.

Look how wide these are!  Isn't that too much fun?

This shot makes me think this is not a garment for me.  I feel about as wide as a hippo in this top.

I really love that cute little back tie.  This really took no time at all to make.  I may end up altering it by making some waist darts, taking in the flounces, and going from there.  I did end up wearing this to church and received many compliments so maybe I am being to hard on myself.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Another 6886--can you have too many?

Honestly, can you have too many McCall's 6886?  I think not.  Here's my latest.  I am so smitten with this pattern.  I really should just use this from now on to create any sort of tee design.  

Here's my latest version of this dress: 

If you've been living under a rock, here's the original dress pattern: 

See what I mean?  Classic, simple, stylish.

For this version, I used a kit I purchased from Alabama Chanin.  If you are unfamiliar with their work, here's a link to their site: Alabama Chanin

I didn't think I'd like this type of handwork, but turns out that I am quite smitten with this process.

Being a kit that I purchased, it was intended to be a long or maxi-length skirt.  When I saw how much fabric there was, I immediately thought dress and my beloved 6886 came to mind.

My husband is making me laugh.

This is a double-layer of fabric.  The lighter green was printed with the floral motif.  I layered both, stitched together, clipped the top layer away and what-you-see, is-what-you-get.

I love this color combination.

This is a casual yet dressy at the same time.

I always but a seam mid-back to compensate for my swayback.  It helps, but doesn't completely take it away.

I single-layered the neckband.   

I left the hems raw.  That's so hard for me to even type.

I really love this color combination.  I like it with my redish hair.

I am not done with this pattern so I hope you'll be open to reading more about how many more versions I have in my head.

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Bright orange and Mimi G: Simplicity 8889

Hi all!  

Today I want to share with all of you this cute top from Mimi G.  The styling on this is just darling!  

Here's my version: 

This pattern is very well drafted.  It fits me so well.  I barely made any alterations to this, other than my usual which I will describe below.

I am loving this bright orange linen from JoAnns.  I hope it holds up!  It's always so hit and miss with them.  This did wash and dry well, so I am hopeful.

First, let's talk about the pocket that I modified.  I added a self-fabric tube or flat piping to the right side of the pocket facing.  I had a bit extra of the fabric, so I decided to add this non-functional loop to the pocket so I could use this pretty pearl button.  I had two and knew it would be difficult to use just one on another project.  After sewing on the loop, I added the flat piping.

Then I turned the facing to the right side of the pocket so it would show.  Fold back the side edges and bam!  You are ready to stitch this onto the garment. 

There is a hidden placket for the buttons.  I love hidden plackets.  They are fun to make.  

I made clean finish hems on the sleeves and bottom edges.  

I matched the rounded edge of the hem facing to my top stitching. 

And, for the final picture, he's the back.

I almost forgot to mention my alterations!  I lengthened from the shoulder to apex, the bust curve and the back from the shoulder to the waist.  My total length adjustment was 1.75" for each--front and back.  Had I not lengthened this, I would be belly-bearing and that isn't a good look for me at this point in my life.  ;)  

I really love how this turned out!  I am wearing this with my McCall's 7432 dress pattern.  This is another fav of mine!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

A Dress for spring! McCall's 7381

Mustard has to be my new favorite color to sew with.  Coral will always, always be my most favorite color ever but Mustard ranks up there very high!  

I used McCall's 7381 for this dress.  I love this pattern.    

I previously made view A only maxi length with short sleeves.  So I guess it really isn't view A at all, but I think you get my drift.

This time, I made a straight view B.  This dress is really low cut and I decided to embrace it and knew this navy cami I have would work great and it does.  One of the benefits of clothes hoarding is that you might eventually need that one thing you keep in your stash.  Right? 

This fabric is by Telio.  I so love Telio.  It washes well, dries well, sews well, everything well.  This is a rayon and it feels like silk on your skin.  Plus, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, bonus!

I made covered buttons for the bodice.  I carefully chose what parts of the flowers I wanted to use on my buttons.  I love them!  

Also, I didn't line the bodice.  I chose to make bias bands to finish the edges.  I love the feel and look of the bodice.  

There are pleats at the front waistline as well as the shoulders.  You can also see the sleeve cuffs here.  Typically sleeves fit me really well or are slightly too short.  With this pattern, I had to shorten the sleeves by more than an inch.  I still feel like they may be slightly too long, but I will wear it a few times before deciding.

Here's a peek at my hem.  I fold the seam in twice to the inside, press well and topstitch close to the edge.  I like to see how precise can get it.

Here's a close up of the back elastic waist.  

Here's a back of the dress so you can see the elastic waist.  It slightly blouses which is cute.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue