In my never-ending pursuit to add fun tops to my wardrobe, my current one is McCall's 7723.
This time of year, I tend to make pieces that will work now and later. So, I wanted a top that would work with pants, jeans and shorts. Plus, this one is so cute and frilly! And history has proven that I love a good ruffle!
Since this top obviously has a lot going on, I really wanted a fabric that had a little something extra, that wouldn't compete with the design elements. I've had this crinkly-textured fabric for over a year that I picked up from Jo-Ann. The thing about this fabric is, it can't be pressed! While testing it out, all of that beautiful texture was smoothed right out. So I had to be careful in my selection of designs.
I was pretty impressed with how this fabric took to the lack of pressing. The seams look great, especially in the front where I had to do a 1" FBA that added additional vertical darts.
These ruffles are my favorite! I don't think I've ever enjoyed creating ruffles this much in my entire sewing life.
See here how I made them:
And don't forget to enter my giveaway for the Ultimate Presser Foot 32 pcs!
Anytime I can get away with replacing a facing with bias binding, I do it.
Since this fabric can't be pressed, a facing would've been a horrible idea. It would've never stayed in place. This is such a cleaner look.
And I finished it off with a narrow hem, created with my Flat Hem Foot 7mm.
My pants are my 3rd iteration of DP Studio LE302. I used this pattern before for the pants in the gray suit and part of the McCall's 7728 jumpsuit.
My fabric is this emerald green cotton/poly bottom-weight twill I found at Jo-Ann. This one has no stretch, and they fit great. But just like with no stretch denim, the longer I was wearing these I noticed that they began to relax.
These are my newest pant obsession for right now. So I'll be making these throughout the rest of spring and summer... unless I run across another pattern I have to make.
If you're like me and your sewing machine didn't come with a lot of specialty presser feet, then this is the set for you! The kind folks at MadamSew.com reached out to me and asked if I'd like to try out the Ultimate Presser Foot 32 pcs. I squealed with delight! My beloved Bernina's only come pretty basic feet. And even though I've been sewing for many years, I still had yet to collect as many feet as I would like. I only buy on an "as I need" basis. But with a set like this, I've been discovering "new-to-me" feet that I didn't even know I ever have a need for.
If you follow me on Instagram (and why wouldn't you? 😜), you saw me in my IG story playing around with the gathering foot. I don't sew a huge amount of garments that require gathering, but on the occasions that I do, I don't enjoy adjusting with those two stupid threads. How often do those things break off? Enough to make me dread having to do it. So, this set arrived just in time as I was starting to sew McCall's 7723, view D. (I'll be posting a full on review soon!) Yep, the one with the ruffle trims. The flat hem foot 7mm and the gathering foot were so perfect for this.
A lot of people wanted to know more about the gathering foot and how it works. So, I created a tutorial showing how I used the gathering foot and the flat hem foot to create my ruffles for McCall's 7723.
I've also partnered with MadamSew.com to give one lucky reader the chance to win your very own set! These feet work on all machines. And it comes with an instruction booklet explaining all of the feet. Even if you have a low shank machine, there's a special snap on adapter included in the set that works on brands like: JANOME, SINGER, BROTHER, PFAFF, & JUKI. If you're the winner and you're a BERNINA owner like me, you'll be sent the BERNINA adapter.
Disclosure: This post provides information on how to enter the Ultimate Presser Foot Set 32 pcs from Madam Sew.com Giveaway hosted by Erica Bunker DIY Style, featuring this Ultimate Presser Foot Set 32 pcs from Madam Sew.com that was gifted to me. All opinions in this post are my own.
There's something about shirt dresses that just represent spring to me. Even though our weather is going back and forth, this past weekend was perfect for this black poplin shirt dress.
A good shirt dress is a classic wardrobe staple. And based on how many shirt dresses I've sewn over the years and a couple are still in my current wardrobe, they're a favorite of mine.
I wanted something this time that put a different spin on the classic dress. This one is McCall's 7351, view C. And my fabric is Jet Black Stretch Cotton Poplin from Mood Fabrics.com. I prewashed my fabric and pulled it straight from the dryer and smoothed it out with the iron prior to cutting. The fabric cuts, sews and presses beautifully.
This is one of those great patterns that has cup sizing -- meaning no FBA for me. I cut a straight size 14, with the D cup.
I lengthened the bodice by an inch, which is an alteration that I make to practically every single pattern I sew. And anyone with a substantial sized bust knows the feeling of getting a great bodice fit on a button up top with no gaping and pulling. So kudos to the cup sized pattern and this amazing poplin with it's slight give. I plan to make this again in a bright white, and when I do I'll lower those pockets probably about .5"-.75" inches.
Since my fabric is lightweight, I needed a comparable interfacing. I used Black Weft Fusible Interfacing. It is the perfect weight for the front bands and the collar.
I sewed the skirt straight from the envelope. I like the length as it is.
This poplin drapes beautifully. And just like with any bias cut, I allowed the dress to hang for 24 hours. Even though stretching can still occur in bias cuts, this handkerchief hem will hide any unevenness.
I am pretty impressed with this fabric. There was minimal wrinkling even after riding in a car.
I can tell you now, this dress will be in high rotation this season. I love the simple and quick style and the versatility. Shoe options are endless and all I have to do is add a great belt for waist-cinching style!
