Category: mccalls pattern company

Posted in Fashion Inspiration, McCalls, mccalls pattern company, Misses' Tops, New Look, patterns, Sewing, Simplicity, The Sewcial Sewist

SMT – Stashed Gems Challenge Update

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

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.

Posted in Activewear, McCalls, mccalls pattern company, patterns, Sewing

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

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

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.

Posted in McCalls, mccalls pattern company, Misses' pants, Sewing, The Sewcial Sewist

McCall’s 7757 Misses’ Tops and Pants View E

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

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!!!

I feel as though I wear the same tops in my regular wardrobe rotation each week. SO I have added tops to my list of makes and plan on making at least 1 or 2 new ones each month. This way I won’t feel as though I am wearing the same tops all the time.

I choose McCall’s 7543 this month along with another top, blog post for that one coming next week, out of a cotton fabric from Hobby Lobby it can be found here. This fabric is 100% cotton and it is so soft. I was drawn to the color combo, love red, white, and black, then there is a splash of gray in there too. So this top can be worn with different pants or capris. I put it on with a pencil skirt and it didn’t have the best look, well on me anyway.

I paired this top with a pair of gray skinny leg jeans that I purchased from Kohl’s way before I started sewing and it was the perfect look.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Off-the-Shoulder Tops, Tunic and Dress

Pattern Size: 4-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it? Yes looked like the photo on the pattern envelope

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like how easy it was to make

Fabric used: 100 % Cotton Floreo Floral Apparel Fabric

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations, I used view B for the top, but used view D for the sleeve, no reason, just my personal choice

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I plan on making it again, in more fun print fabric and solid colors as well

Conclusion: Great top and with the perfect fabric choice this can be dressed up or down.

McCall’s 7543 – Misses’ Off-the-Shoulder Tops, Tunic and Dress

Quote• Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist
Posted in McCalls, mccalls pattern company, Sewing

Me and My Birthday Suit – McCall’s 7755

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

 April 10,1975, wide leg jumpsuits, bright bold colors, I was really feeling this fabric and decided to use it for my birthday outfit. I didn’t have much time to decide on a pattern so I went with one that I knew was a quick sew and one that I loved, McCall’s 7755. I started and finished this pattern 2 hours before I went out to dinner.

I have made this jumpsuit twice before and loved the outcome. I think is starting become my new Tried and True (TNT) pattern, at least for Spring/Summer any way. You can also read my previous blog  on McCall’s 7755 here.

I highly recommend this pattern if you want to make a jumpsuit and need an easy straight forward pattern you try this one. I just absolutely love jumpsuits right now, who am I kidding, I love jumpsuits and maxi dresses/skirts all the time.

I apologize for the lack of blog posts in the past few months. I had foot surgery in my right foot, the sewing foot, lol, and was out for about two months. I am back getting my summer, we don’t have Spring here in California, unless you count allergy season. So stay tuned for mire posts coming up in the next few weeks.

Bye for now, Time to Sew Something!!!!