Spring 2017 Sew-Along: Seams and Zipper

Welcome to week 5 of the McCall's Spring 2017 Sew-Along! This week I'm covering steps 14 through 24, which is a lot of information, so grab a cuppa and lets get started.

Week 1 - Announcement
Week 2 - Inspiration Fabrics
Week 3 - Making a Muslin/Toile
Week 4 - Darts and Pockets

The first thing to note is that I'm making the overalls view with the tapered legs. I'm wanting a traditional denim look for these, so am adding topstitching to the leg sides as well as switching up the mock-fly to look less mock and more real. If you are making the pants version like my co-host Meg and only need directions for the lapped zipper, feel free to skip to the end where I'll show you those steps.

White Lace Maxi Skirt

A few years ago I saw this lace skirt on Net-A-Porter and loved it:

It's by Alice + Olivia and was made of silk and tulle. I added it to my "Lace" Pinterest board and went searching for a fabric. Eventually I found just what I wanted at Moodfabrics.com, but it sat in my stash for several years and is completely sold out. The fabric is an ivory nylon lace, and I layered it over a lining of white tricot. I wanted this skirt to be washable and not too formal, so I went with a comfortable/stretchy fabric for the lining.

Spring 2017 Sew-Along: Making a Muslin/Toile

Welcome to week three of the McCall's Spring 2017 Sew-Along!

Week 1 - Announcement
Week 2 - Inspiration and Fabrics

This week is all about making a muslin to perfect fit. I usually make muslins when I'm using a pattern that's a fitted design and I don't want to waste my fabric if it doesn't turn out. It takes more effort then just jumping in but I'm always glad when I take the time to do it.

Okay, let's get started.

Marine Green Faux Suede Dress

I purchased this fabric from Moodfabrics.com a few years (!!!) ago because it was on big-time sale and I thought the color was pretty. The quality is really nice and you can NOT tell it's fake except that it comes out of the laundry looking exactly like it went in. I lamented forever about what I wanted to make it into. I really wanted a skirt but thought the color would give me trouble when having to pair up with a matching top. McCall's 7466 was recently released with the envelope drawing showing a view in suede, and I knew instantly what my fabric wanted to become!

The Spring 2017 Sew-Along

I'm super excited to announce that I'm co-hosting the Spring 2017 Sew-Along with Meg Carter of the McCall's Pattern Company! I must admit I didn't really fall in love with this pattern right off the bat. After seeing this video that McCall's did on Facebook, though, I was sold. (Click the link, scroll down and click on "Show More", and it will come up for December 8.)

The full schedule is as follows:

Week of 3/3:  Announce sew-along

Week of 3/10:  Style inspiration; suitable fabrics

Week of 3/17: Making a muslin to assess fit

Week of 3/24: Pockets (steps 1-13)

Week of 3/31: Seams and zipper (steps 14-24)

Week of 4/7: Waistband and overalls bib (steps 29-61)

Week of 4/14:  Finishing (steps 62-66)

Week of 4/21: Big reveal

Meg is making the high waisted pants view with cropped flares and I am making the overall pants view with tapered legs. I think they will be perfect for spring and for my relaxed mom-on-the-go lifestyle.

Read the full announcement on the McCall's Blog here and please join us for this fun adventure!