Sewing jeans…McCalls 6610

I’ve made a couple of pairs of jeans recently, and I have the third pair cut and ready to sew. I used McCall’s 6610 (View A). This was my first time using this particular pattern. I wanted something more of a straight-leg jean this time around, so I went with this. Because I’ve made jeans before, I knew what areas I was going to have to fit the most (waist).

I made a couple of different sizes (16 and 14) each with some grading up or down for fit. These green jeans are basically a size 16. They are so comfortable!

The khaki-colored jeans are the 14 (with some grading up at the waist). These are comfortable as well, but I prefer the green.

The next ones I have cut out (and are waiting to be sewn) are stretch denim. I am working on getting the fit just right for me. Those are a 16 with some slimming at the leg, but not enough to make them skinny jeans. We’ll see how things go. The green are my preferred fit, but I want to make them a bit more jean-like. I did make a muslin for these, by the way before I started. I made one muslin and I just keep adjusting the fit on it. But for me, it’s always a little difficult to tell what something is really going to look like (or fit like) until I actually make it.

Anyway, it’s a creative process and it does take some work to get what you want, right? It’s fun and good practice. It makes me feel like a real designer…and I end up with more clothes. That’s not a bad thing!

McCalls 6554

I finished this about a week ago. It’s a “Fashion Star” pattern (remember that show?) that I’ve had but never made.

I really didn’t make any alterations to this pattern. It’s actually pretty quick to put together. One of the features that I really like are the pockets. I really like in-seam pockets. The belt, which can be optional, I think helps to pull the look together.

This picture above is without the belt. The bodice is lined (I used batiste). If I had thought about it at the time, I would have lined the skirt also. The fabric is a cotton linen blend that I bought last year and never got around to using.

The only thing that I did differently than the instructions was to use a regular zipper. And the only reason I did that is because that’s what I had in my stash! LOL! I’m using up as much as I possibly can while still make the things I want.

This is a really nice, comfortable dress to wear. My husband even complimented me on it. So, it’s all good.

New Look 6598

I bought this pattern a while back.  It’s a blouse with sleeve and collar variations. Truth be told, I really only looked at the front of the pattern when I bought it. I wanted to have/make more woven tops (as opposed to knit tops). I saw this and I really liked it.


Well, what I didn’t realize at the time is that it does have a nice detail on the back of the blouse – a tie.

It’s a simple detail that just makes it something a little different. This is quite easy to make AND I used another piece from my fabric stash AND some buttons I had as well!

This is the kind of thing that I can see myself making again. It also comes in long sleeves and sleeveless, with a collar or without (like the one I made here).

Now, on to the next project to use up some more stash!