Monday, February 15, 2010

McCall's 3830

You already saw my Valentine pencil skirt, but I thought I'd tell you about it as well.
Here it is just hanging around.  I loved the denim one that Amber made, and Amanda's leopard print was super fun, so when I was at Hobby Lobby and noticed that McCall's patterns were on sale, I grabbed this one.  It really is a nice basic.  The pattern is for a straight skirt in 5 lengths from mini to maxi.  The longer lengths include a walking vent.  The waistline is faced and it calls for a centered zipper.  I lined mine and put in an invisible zip.  I used some fabric from my collection that has been there long enough that I have forgotten it's origins.  
Here it is up close.  Based on the way that it behaved, I'm pretty sure that it is a natural fiber, but I'm not sure what.  It has a bit of itchiness, but it doesn't act or smell like wool.  It is also a somewhat coarse weave and reminds me a lot of my favorite vintage suit.  Anyway - the skirt...
Here is the inside from the back.  I lined it with a very lightweight batiste, since I live in Texas and wanted it to be wearable in the summer.  I did use the facing pattern pieces to cut some interfacing which I fused to the lining to stabilize the waist.  I also added some pink piping to the waistline, just for fun!
Here is the hem.  This is the first time I've used lace to bind a hem.  I think it is very pretty and it was easy to sew, so I'm going to be doing more of this in the future.  Overall, this pattern is a winner, but I have to add a small caveat about fit.  I always cut a size smaller than my measurements in McCalls patterns, but since Amber had some fit issues with hers, I measured the pattern, and ended up going down TWO sizes AND taking in the side seams an additional 1/4 inch at the hip during construction.  I really love this pattern, but if you make it, be sure to measure!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is my TNT pattern! I,also, use it when teaching sewing. Very basic. You will be able to do this one with your eye's close soon!

Beangirl said...

Very pretty! I am liking pencil skirts this year.

meli88a said...

Very nice inside and out!

Unknown said...

Nice job! I'm fussing with the waistband on mine, since I have to wait for the closures from NYC anyway. Thanks for the inspiration!

Pam said...

Wow! Wonderful! I wonder if the material is gabardine?

Julia said...

uch nice work. I always love to see what you've done next!

Kathi said...

Very nice - sounds like a good workhorse of a skirt that you actually really like!! The best!

Karin van Dam said...

I love pencil skirts and this one looks wonderful. I really like the way you finished the hem, with the lace. I never used that method before, but I think it's very pretty!

Aminat said...

Love the pencil skirt, funny enough I don't have one.. I am going to try this pattern. Great work with the hem finishing

amber said...

Lovely! I hadn't even thought of using lace for a hem finish. I just finished up the high-waist pencil skirt this weekend and black lace would have been way more fun than boring 'ol hem tape.