Friday, March 22, 2013

McCalls M6706

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Hello everyone!

Thank you everyone, for your comments on my black dress.

Although I have been gone for ages, I have done quite lot of sewing.

A lot has happened around here since I last posted: my mother-in-law had open heart surgery, which didn't initially go according to plan (but she's now recovering well), Nick's closest friend (of more than forty years) unfortunately died (we were expecting it, but it was still a very sad occasion), and I had to have an op on my eye, as I got something stuck in it.  This all happened in the first week of March.  Instead of making me feel depressed (depression being a totally different thing to feeling sadnes, of course), times like that seem to really bring home the fact that anything can happen at any time, and we'd better blooming enjoy ourselves while we can!
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Here is my McCalls M6706 skirt, made in Calaveras quilting cotton by Alexander Henry.  It only took about 1.3 m.  Here is the line drawing:
Print
I think I have never enjoyed making a skirt more!  The skirt came together so quickly.  First you sew the rectangle of the front and back together, then insert the zip.  Next you baste the pleats in place - this probably took longer than anything else, as I basted them to about four inches down, on both sides of each pleat - and then you attach the waistband (I love slipstitching things like waistbands and plackets, especially now I have an "old person's" spotlight aimed over my shoulder, behind the sofa, so I can sew in front of Masterchef or whatever).  I really did like the look of the skirt with the top of the pleats stitched in place, so I may make another, but in a silk taffeta or something, with a matching top (weddings to attend!) but leave the pleats partially stitched.
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Underneath, I am wearing my petticoat, which was made from a piece of silky black lining fabric, and some very stiff net.  The stiff net is perfectly fine, but I have just bought some soft, bridal quality net for next time.  Oh yes, there will be a next time!  I already have the fabric.  I so enjoy wearing this skirt, with the petticoat just giving it a bit more oomph.  Next time I might go for lots more oomph, if I can be bothered with gathering up all that net, which I found a little tiresome.  Net is a weird thing to hand sew.  It totally has a mind of its own...keeps slipping and wriggling all over the place.  Having said that, the petticoat didn't take more than about an hour and a half from start to finish.

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I have also made a cowl-neck maxi dress from knit fabric, denim halter dress, and a strapless dress, amongst other things.  Will blog about them asap.
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11 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear about the tough times you been having and the loss of your friend. It's hard to lose someone even when you know it's inevitable. I do hope you're ok. And I do love that skirt. Really, really sassy.

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  2. What a cheerful skirt! It is a great shape too, love it with the black top. Sorry you've had a rough time lately. Hope things improve.

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  3. Great fabric. Love the skirt.

    Hope things settle down for you!

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  4. That fabric is strikingly different - I feel it needs a Frieda Carlos head dress. Sorry that there has been a few bumps in the road.

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  5. I am very sorry to hear about your friend and the hard times you had. I wish you the best for the future. Hopefully, sewing such a colourful skirt will take your mind off and make you feel better. This fabric is crazy amazing, if there is somebody who can pull it off, it's you, you look amazing! And it looks perfect with a very basic pattern like that McCall one.
    Best wishes from Spain...

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  6. I really love this style of skirt. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm going to make one for the work christmas party.
    Cheers

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  7. Hi there! I have probably the stupidest question ever but I am a novice at sewing! Lol! Do you remove the basting stiches from the pleats? I figured this pattern out pretty quick but that is the only thing that is stumping me! Thanks for your help! Your skirt is awesome!

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  8. Hi Katie! No question is a stupid question!

    Yes, after you've finished all your sewing definitely remove the basting stitches. They are just there to keep the pleats aligned while you anchor them down when you attach the waistband. The pleats in this pattern are free, the whole length.

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  11. I know that this is a really old blog, wondered if you are still on here...I bought this pattern but then when I got home I realized the sizing seems really weird. I normally wear a 10-12, but my measurements are more like I need a size 20 Do you remember having a problem like that with sizing?

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