McCall's M6518 Pattern Review

I bought this pattern at Joann's on Mother's day and I also fell in love with this fabric for Summer. Pastels are everywhere and I really didn't have any in my current wardrobe so I thought that I might as well make this dress out of it. After pre-washing all of the fabric I got down to it and began transferring the pattern to pattern tracing interfacing paper (PTIP) which I buy at Joann's for $2.49/yard.

Here is my Review of the McCall's M6518 Pattern:

Did you like the pattern? 

Yes, very much so. There is only one dress to make. Or at least in the picture shown on the front of the pattern, but you could make it without the ruffles, or you could make it into an empire waist shirt, or make it out of a very light fabric, like silk, and get a completely different dress, more flowy, less stiff. It also had pockets, which is a big plus IMO. Oh and the straps are wide enough to hide a bra but not too wide to make me look top heavy. Also the inner lining made it look very expensive. I could turn it around and wear it on that side had it not had the zipper showing on the back!

Pattern Sizing?

The pattern sizing was true to size (pattern size). I used the E5 Pattern Size (14-16-18-20-22). It also comes in A5 size (6-8-10-12-14). 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

The pattern was very easy to transfer on PTIP and also easy to read/follow. The instructions were very clear and would be great for a novice or experienced sewer. It was the first time that I sewed the shoulders this way: hidden inside the straps by opening out the lining at shoulders, pinning the front and back together and stitching in one continuous seam. (tutorial maybe?) The seam then becomes hidden by a slipstitch. 

What is the Seam Allowance?

The Seam Allowance is 5/8" throughout the whole project which made it easy to gage on the plate of my sewing machine. 

Did you need a serger?

No, the instructions were made for those who do not have a serger, so it kept stating to trim all edges/endings, etc... But since I have Sally (my serger, she's a Singer;) I was able to serge them all. I think it made it look more professional, IMO. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the envelope when you were done sewing it? 

It did! Except I decide to go Sans ribbon in the waistline. One, because I really liked the pattern and thought I could wear a belt and the ribbon might not go with many belts. Second, because I wanted to wear it to church and knew it would take me another 10-20 min to put on and it was already late, the night before church. :)

Did you make any pattern alterations or design changes? 

No, I didn't have to. It fit perfectly. Oh wait, the only thing I did is not hem the lining. I decided to just serge and that worked just fine. 

Project Cost:

Fabric: $12

Notions: I already had a zipper and thread in the colors I needed:) So, $0.

Pattern: $1.99 on sale at Joann's. 

How long did it take to make?

2 days, sewing here and there at intervals. I'll say about 7 hours total... 

Will you make this pattern again and do you recommend it? 

Yes and Yes!!! I loved it, though I might make it in a lighter fabric, something less structured. I'm even thinking of making it in a lace with a silky lining. It would be gorgeous! 

 Front

 Back

 Lining Front

 Lining Back

What do you think? Do you love it?

btw: I changed my font from Corsiva to this new one. Do you like it?? YES/NO???

On Hold

Hey Fashion lovers! I know I haven't been on here for a few days and you are all probably wondering when Part 3 of the Sew Along is going to be posted. Well, not today unfortunately. My battery died on my camera before I had time to plug in and transfer all the pics/videos. Also, my little one is sick, on his last day of Kindergarten nonetheless. He threw up at school and then again at home. Poor buddy, just not doing so well. I will try to be back with the posts soon and the Part 3 sew along. 

DIY Asymmetrical Skirt Sew Along, Part 2: Cutting Out Fabric

Welcome to Part 2 of the Sew Along. We are sewing this skirt right here. I used a silk for the original, but for this one, I'm using cotton.

 If you haven't made your pattern pieces go to PART 1: Making Your Own Pattern Pieces to read instructions on how to make them.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE FABRIC!

I used a sheet that had this Native American design to it. I found it an estate sale for a few bucks. It was a king sized sheet so it gave me about 3 1/2 yards to work with. I suggest about 2 1/2 yards to work with. It's better to have extra fabric than not enough:)

Lay out the fabric so that the the Back piece is on the fold just like we wrote on it. In order to preserve fabric I pulled down the sheet so that I only used what I needed. That way the top part of the fabric, I could use later for another project. You could get a 45" fabric if you want, because this is a sheet it was more like 120". MAKE SURE That your pattern is on the fold of the fabric where the fold is and that the fabric is aligned correctly. The grain line should be perpendicular to the waistline. This was easier on my fabric because it had lines on it so I just made sure the vertical lines were aligned correctly. I folded it right on those lines. We don't want the back of our fabric to look like the lines are going to the side, we want the lines to go up and down. 

 Once you cut around it, this is what you get for the back piece. 

 Now to cut the front pieces, you do not need to be on a fold, but you do need two separate pieces. I folded over the extra fabric and made sure the grain line was aligned on both sides, not just the top part. You can check this with a ruler.

 This is what you get.

Now we will do the inner skirt pieces. We also need two identical pieces but we want the grain line to align with the fabric. Since I rolled it right on one of the lines, my grain line should be perpendicular to it. 

I checked with two rulers just to make sure.

 Here is what it should look like. Last minute I decided I actually wanted it a bit longer, so I added an inch to the bottom. 

 There you go, 3 pieces ready to be sewn! Now go buy yourself some thread for tomorrow and some 1/2 inch elastic. 

P.S. There will be a video explaining this more thoroughly on my YT channel later today. Support by Subscribing!

DIY Asymmetrical Skirt, Part 1: Make your own Pattern

I made this asymmetrical skirt with a beautiful silk polka dot fabric I had purchased a few weeks ago at the thrift store. I had about 10 yards of it and I decided to use some of it to make this skirt. I kind of winged it and thankfully it came out great. My fabric is really thin and see through so I had to add an inner skirt so that you wouldn't be able to see through. For this tutorial I will be using a thicker fabric than silk: 100% cotton in an indian looking sheet that I bought at an estate sale. You can use any fabric you would like. I find thinner fabrics are better since it is so darn hot outside! I hope you love it!

Now to make the pattern you will need:

• Pattern Tracing Interfacing Paper (found at your fabric store, mine is from Joann's @ $2.49/yard. I only needed one yard since it's doubled, so technically you have 2 yards total. 
• Pen/Pencil 
• French Curve Ruler (usually used for Pattern Making)
• straight ruler
• One of your flowy short skirts. (The length must be the same as the length of how high you would like the front of the asymmetrical skirt to be.)

First you will fold your skirt with side seams together so that you have the backs together and front together. So, half the skirt. In the picture below, the belt is where the side seams are joined together. Lay the mid back on the edge of the pattern tracing interfacing paper (PTIP). We are doing the Back Pattern First. I only wanted the longest part of my skirt to come to mid-calf so I needed to add 12" to the back, if you want it longer/shorter add/shorten the amount of inches here. Mark where that is and this will be the bottom of your PTIP. 

Now you will use your curved ruler to make a curve from the mark you just made to where the side seams are. Once you get about halfway, the curve will straighten. Your line should be about 4-5" away from the edge of skirt once you get to side seam.

So: Curved line where it says (LINE HERE) 

Straight line where it says (MAKE CURVE)

I wish I knew how to add lines and such, but I don't own photoshop and I went onto photoshop.com and it would only let me add effects and text. No lines, dots, etc... So sorry! Anyone know where I can do that online for free? It might help me with the tutorials I'd love to share with ya'll. Thanks!

Now, from the top of the waist to the bottom of where your line ended on the side seam make a straight line. This line will be your new Side Seams:)

This is what your back pattern should look like. Write BACK on it and write CUT 1 ON FOLD right under. On the straight side (the longer side) write CUT ON FOLD and draw 2 arrows around it. 

Now let's move on to the Front Pattern Piece. Lay your skirt on top of a new PTIP Put the back pattern piece so that you know where your back line of the front pattern piece should start. Now using your straight ruler make a straight line all the way up to the front of your skirt (where the shortest part should be.) If you want the skirt to be exactly the same length (not shorter) than your skirt than make the line end 1" away from the skirt so that when you hem it hits right at the skirt. I wanted mine a bit shorter in the front so I just made it to the skirt hemline. Then add another 2" in front of the skirt and stop there. 

Now on the top (the waist band) add 5". Now connect the bottom line to the wasit band by using the curved ruler. Make the edge curved all the way.

This is what your pattern should look like when done. To find the Center Front, measure your waist line, divide by 4 and that is how many inches you measure from the straight (side seam) part of your pattern. It should be directly perpendicular to your waist line. Draw the grain line in the middle of your pattern, also completely perpendicular to your waist line. Write FRONT on it and CUT 2 OF FABRIC. (I forgot to write this on there, but did after I noticed I left that out:)

Now to make the inner part of the skirt. Put your skirt on the PTIP and trace around it. I made it the exact length also so that it hits 1" above what this skirt is after I hem it. I didn't add any Seam Allowance because it is going inside so when we sew it (5/8") it will not come out as wide as the actual skirt, but smaller. Plus, this skirt is flowy so it will not fit tight. It will still be loose:)

 Make sure you add 1" to the waist line for room when we add the elastic waistband.

 closer look

And there you go ladies & gents. You've got yourself a pattern. Stay on the lookout tomorrow for the next step:) Don't forget to share, follow my blog, and LIKE my page on FB!