McCalls M6885 Only Shorter

Hello, Friends!  If you follow me on Instagram you know that I have been gah gah over this fabric from Joann.  It is a 100% cotton floral jacquard that was hiding in the shirting fabrics.  It is lightweight much like voile or lawn, and though slightly see through, I was able to make it in to a tunic with no need for a lining.  It is the perfect lightweight fabric for Summer, and just look at that color!

McCalls M6885

When I was trying to figure out a pattern to use for this fabric, I was trying to decide between M6885 or self drafting something.  Debbie from over at Stitches and Seams talked me out of drafting something from scratch, and I am so glad that she did.  I still had to tweak M6885, because M6885 is actually a dress pattern.

Line Drawings for M6885 from McCallpattern.mccall.com

I first made M6885 back in September of last year just before Labor Day, for a beach trip we were taking.  Even though I added four inches of length to view B, the side slit came up so far that I was flashing my Spanx and that is not a good look!  You can read about that version here.

M6885

For this new version, I cut the pattern down to tunic length.  I am a tunic kind of gal, in case you haven't noticed.  Another change that I made was to remove the full collar and to only use the collar stand as the collar.  I thought at first that this would end up being a Mandarin style collar, but once I finished the tunic, I decided that I liked it better as a small turned down collar.

M6885

My edge stitching is a little wonky.  I think my machine needs a tune up, because some of the stitches are walking around lately.  Also, I should note that my button holes have been on point lately.  The thread is a perfect match so I am not sure why it looks so much darker here.

M6885

Here you can see the different textures in this fabric.  It is really such a great fabric for Summer.  I can see it made in to maxi dresses, beach cover ups, the list goes on.  I chose plain white buttons because this floral print has a lot going on.  I love how they more or less blend in from a distance.

M6885

Here is a shot of the back of the tunic.  I made the shirt tail a little longer than the front of the shirt.  I chose to make the armholes nice and fitted so that my bra doesn't peak out from under the shirt.  I think that I need to cut the armholes deeper in the back next time to keep keep it from pulling in at the under arm.

What you can't see here is that I used French seams on the inside.  I didn't want to serge off this thin fabric, so a French seam was the natural choice for keeping fraying to a minimum and not having to bind every seam.  I used a rolled hem.  I think I am in love with rolled hems right now.  White bias tape was used to bind the armscye.

I am loving this tunic and I see more hacked up M6885 tunics in my future.

Friends, what are you sewing right now?  Are their any fabrics out there that you are totally in love with?

November Sewing Projects

Hello Friends!  I feel like it's been a month since I last posted.  November is here (how can it only be 50 days til Christmas???), and October went out with a bang.  Our Halloween was spent finding indoor trunk or treat locations, because it was snowing and windy.  Can you believe it...snow already?  We visited a few senior retirement communities, and the little guy's gangster costume was a big hit with the older crowd.  They were calling him a G man, and make all kinds of jokes with him.  He hated the attention, but loved the candy!

The forecast here is looking cold.  I think we may be in for another brutal Winter here in Indy!  With that in mind, I am trying to think about what items are wardrobe musts for this Winter.

I intend to make a couple more Laurel Tunics from Green Style.  I kind of half arsed reviewed the pattern here.  This time I will be making it in a few sweater knits.  I love leggings and long shirts in the Fall and Winter.  So these Laurel Tunics will be in heavy rotation.

Photo from www.greenstylecreations.com

I think that these are the knits that I am going to use to make more Laurels.  I know the stripey floral is more of a Spring print, but I just don't care.  I make what I like, when I like! ;)

Whats on the cutting table?

I am in search of cable knit by the yard because I think it would make a beautiful Laurel, and if all else fails I see a king size cable knit blanket being made in to something fab to wear.


There is also a chambray tunic with leather details on the November sewing list.  I will be using McCalls M6885 and cutting it down to tunic length.  A long tunic that will cover all my bits when I wear leggings of course!  I will be making view D minus the waist tie, and with the addition of placket sleeves.

I don't have a link or pic of the fabric, but it is just a basic dark blue chambray.  I am not sure what color my leather details will be as there is a lot of leather floating around the sewing haven waiting to be re-purposed.

I will also be working on a shirt dress for Mary's Autumn of 1,000 Shirt Dresses project.  I have the fabric for this and I think I have settled on a pattern too, but this one is a surprise, so no sneak peaks on this one.

I have a fabric in the stash that is begging to be made in to a cape, but I am not sure if I will get around to this.  I seem to be gravitating towards easy sews right now, and this is a woven hounds tooth that is going to be a pain to sew.

You would think with the Holidays drawing near, I would be doing some unselfish sewing in November too, but I just am not feeling like making gifts yet.  I am sure December will roll around and I will be in panic mode making gifts for others.

So friends, what is on your sewing list this month?  Do any of you have a source for cable knit by the yard that you care to share?  

Final Sews Before the Wrist Injury - McCalls M6885 and a Self Drafted Tunic

Full disclosure...these pictures may or may not frighten you.  The lack of makeup and hair piled on top of my head are enough to make anyone cringe.  These photos were taken with my cell phone and I need you all to know that this will not be the quality of pictures that I will be posting, but since I haven't had a chance to get any real photos taken because of the rain that keeps pouring down, these will have to do, because people are starting to question if I really exist, and if I even know how to sew.

First up is McCall's M6885 in view B.

I enjoyed sewing this pattern.  I cut the size 22 in the bust and graded out to the 24 in the waist and hips.  This pattern has a lot of extra room, and next time I would cut a straight 22.  The fabric is a grey polka dot on navy blue background that I purchased from Hancock.  It has a real collar stand, and the front placket went together like a dream.  I added 4 inches of length to the dress, because I knew I was going to belt it and it seemed short to start with.  It has a hi lo hem that comes up at the side seams.  Had I not added the 4 extra inches, I believe that my netheryea may have easily been playing peek-a-boo when I was walking around in this dress because of that high side seam.  I like this pattern, but I will not make the hi lo version again.  I will be using this pattern to make multiple tunics this season though.

Next up is my Self Drafted Tunic.

I had this piece of red and white light weight sweater knit in my stash.  Every time I walked down the stairs it was peeking out at me, begging to be made in to something.  It haunted me in my dreams.  It needed to be made in to something beautiful to be worn.  I only had 2 yards of this fabric and most of my shirts call for at least 2.5 yards, because my arse requires extra fabric, and then there is the issue of stripes and pattern matching (what was I thinking only getting 2 yards???).  So, I laid it on the floor and self drafted a boatneck tunic with dolman style sleeves directly on to the fabric.  Do you see how well those stripes match up at the side seam?  Yeah, go me!

I love Love LOVE it!  Just as a side note, I also made that white belt, but that is another story for another time.

I promise this will be the last post with no make up and bunned up hair.  Well, at least I promise I will try not to do it again.  I had to defend my sewing honor, afterall!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!