McCalls 2401

I’m particularly interested in making myself some dresses and skirts for spring and summer. I find that they tend to keep me cooler than long pants when it gets really hot and humid around here. But that’s going to be awhile because the weather here has been anything but spring-like. Today was a good day, so I went out and took some pictures.

This is McCall’s 2401, which is a basic sheath dress.

Although I’ve made the dress before, I’ve never made it with sleeves and the square neck.

I used stretch cotton twill which is pretty lightweight. I didn’t make any adjustments to the pattern. I did take the back dart all the way up to the neckline. I found that the back of the dress was too lose and I needed to reduce that somehow. While that worked out fine, if I make this again, I would just make the adjustment before cutting it out (like you’re supposed to).

Anyway, I like it and I like the print. I knew the dress was going to have to have a simple design with such a bold print.

A very old (but classic) pattern…

A couple of weeks ago, I decided I would make a gift for my husband for his birthday. I chose to make him a pair of pj (pajama) pants. I chose a reversible shirting fabric that I found a Jo-Ann’s.

It has a nice check pattern on one side, while the solid side is sort of a chambray-type look. This is a nice, light-weight fabric that I thought would be good for Springtime.

The pattern I used I’ve probably had since about 1990. The year on the pattern envelope says 1989. Anyway, I had never cut into it in all these years. I had actually bought this pattern because I liked the robes and I had always intended to make one for myself. I made the robes, but not with this pattern.

So, I decided to use this for the pants for my husband.

These have a fly front (which was easy to make). I used snaps for the closure.

So, while I am all about keeping organized and getting rid of things that I don’t use or need, occasionally I find it worthwhile to hang on to those classics that can’t be found anymore, like this pattern.

An easy project and a happy husband. It’s all good!

Happy sewing!

Burda Style Trousers 02-2015 #132

Like I said before, I love to challenge myself. So along with some other sewing challenges, I added my self to the Burda challenge where you make something from the magazine for that month each month. This time around, I chose these pants. The only “problem” is that this was a “plus-size” pattern. Well, Burda’s plus size isn’t that much different from my regular size, so I thought I’d give it a try. I traced the pattern but did not add any seam allowance.

I made a muslin and decided it needed a center back seam adjustment, so I added 1 inch there. I used a regular 5/8 inch seam allowance when sewing.

They do have a loose fit (they’re supposed to). I could take in the front crotch area a little bit next time. But overall, I’m very pleased.

I usually see things in the magazine that I would like to try, but I never have the nerve to give it a shot. So this has helped me overcome some of my “fears”!

I also like the pocket detail of these pants. Functional side pockets and gusseted pockets just add a little more style to an elastic-waist pant.

By the way, I only have the shirt tucked in so you can see the details on the pants. Otherwise, I would not wear it this way.

Ahh, that’s more like it!