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Sunday, December 31, 2017

McCall's 7688 and December Wrap-Up


I bought this pattern because my daughter wanted a ruffle front top. If I had known it was just top-stitched to the front I may have just drafted the ruffle onto the well fitting Ottobre sweatshirt for her!

But no worries. I was torn between this pattern and the loose fitting raglan sweater with ruffles from the 12/2017 Burda magazine. This one won. I didn't have a fabric I thought would work well with the Burda. Although I was very excited about this one, I think the pique is a bit too stiff for the ruffles.


I used a size Medium which is typical for me with s/m/l patterns. I added 2" to the hem band ( just moved it back from the fold) because I didn't want it gathered into the band.

The instructions have you stitch the ruffle onto the front, wrong side to right side, leaving a raw edge. No. Thank you. I don't mind a raw edge on the 'loose' end of the ruffle but didn't want it that way on the body of the top itself. I marked the stitching line and then marked a line 3/8" away (the ruffle has a 3/8" seam allowance) and used that to line up the edge. I then topstitched it in place right sides together and pressed. Because this is a cotton knit, that worked fine, I did not need to topstitch in place.

I found the neck binding to be a tiny bit wide and the neckline too high but otherwise, I like the fit.  I don't dislike it, I just think it's a lot of look for me. I LOVE THE PRINT! And the pattern is fun...I just think it needs more drape. But I'm not counting it out yet. We'll see if I reach for it. I am now considering removing the bodice flounces and just leaving the sleeves. We'll see!


Yesterday, I said to myself, you should take pictures today...it's so bright... Where is the sun today? The sun is gone. GONE.  Sigh.

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I've sewn ALL THE THINGS this month! I was talking with a sewing buddy and said, I did other things, I SWEAR! I went to see 2 movies, I binge watched 2 shows with my daughter (The Mist & Black Mirror), I hung out with friends and family...and I sewed A TON! :)


  • Burda 3/2013 pants in plum suiting
  • New Look 6530 top and skirt in navy Ponte (UFO - wah!)
  • Burda 10/2017 sweatshirt in blue sweatshirt knit
  • McCall's 6886 dress in black sweater knit
  • Simplicity 8424 leggings in blue cotton jersey and grey cotton jersey (to be reviewed)
  • Simplicity 8424 top in denim-blue knit (tbr)
  • Burda 6659 joggers in navy french terry and grey star print French terry (tbr)
  • Butterick 6427 tee in black cotton jersey (tbr)
  • McCall's 6886 top in animal print pique knit
  • Butterick 5760 skirt in black wool blend suiting lined in pongee 
  • Burda 7107 (also 3/2012 magazine) in green wool jersey
  • Vogue 9032 pants in black wool blend suiting (tbr)
  • Burda 11/2007 blazer in black wool blend suiting lined in pongee (WIP)
That's a whopping 16 items! Eek!!! You'll notice the color palette of my loungewear was very simple. Since most of that was serger/coverstitch work I wanted to minimize the changing of threads. I still want to make a black pair of leggings and the grey hoodie from the January 2018 Burda mag. I had other pieces on the list but I don't *need* them so they'll have to wait.

I am IN LOVE with my black suiting pieces!! My lining for my jacket is partially constructed; I am a little under the weather so it's taking longer to finish. I have one more item for this mini collection. 

Dark and almost useless teaser pic:

hahaha! :)

Favorite: I have too many favorites to list this month! The 3-piece suiting wardrobe, the green top turned out better than I anticipated! The star-print joggers - LOVE.  The loungewear has been perfect...A great month and successful sew-cation!

Fails: NL6530 is not looking good. Well, the skirt is amazing and may be my new TNT knit skirt. I may have to scrap the top which makes me sad :( 

Accomplishments: I am in awe of myself with my finishing on V9032. Can't wait to share them! Also, I persevered something SERIOUS with the Burda jacket - more on that when I review it. Also, the fact that I have reworked the NL6530 top TWICE. That is very unlike me.  I'm going to try one more thing and then it may go bye-bye.

Now I have a crazy backlog of stuff to review, I need to lay out my goals and plans for 2018 (also my 5th sewing anniversary! yay!!) and my January plans are simple: Finish the blazer, sew the hoodie, and sew Burda 6853. I am traveling this month and I have my certification exam at the end of the month so I doubt there'll be a ton of sewing. 

Until later...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!