McCalls Fashion Star Patterns

Left, M6552 Right, M6553



Left, M6554 Right, M6556
Forgive me, but I think these Fashion Star patterns from McCall's are actually cute and sewable!

Well, this is intersesting!

I didn't know McCalls was in cahoots with the new show, Fashion Star! Wise move!

Father's Day Shirt 2011

An oldie but goodie - here's the 2011 edition of The Father's Day Shirt

A rather sedate print selection this time, it's 100% cotton from David Textiles/Printex Fabrics scored at 50% off (and buttons, too!) during Jo-Ann's grand opening sale in Sugar Land, Texas.

The pattern - McCall's 2205, most likely OOP, but I'm certain they have a new classic Hawaiian shirt pattern in their current catalogue.

Dad's still looking pretty good...and so are his shirts!

Upcoming Pattern Sales

Hobby Lobby will have McCall's on sale this week for $1.99 starting tomorrow, May 24.

Sewing For Teens?

Then check out these three appealing to older teen blouses - my daughter gave them the thumb's up. She feels McCalls is more on trend with RTW. She's become a McCall's fan - click see her Prom dress here.

Now to find suitable fabric. Jo-Ann's had nada-zip. But go ahead and grab the patterns there - the McCalls $1.99 sale ends today.

McCall's 5929

McCall's 5664

McCall's 5522

Promenade Lemonade

When life gives you lemons, dressing well is the best revenge!

McCalls 5655 knock off of Anthropologie's $198 Ice Memory dress sewed up beautifully in Jo-Ann's "Chili Pepper Red" raw silk-y shantung, using the reverse shiny satin side for the bow. We added 6 inches in length split above and below the waist. L is 6'4" in those shoes! Loved the shoulder shaping. It's a perfect dress in any fabric for any social event

Money Monday - Sew What!

Sew this! Anthropologie's Ice Memory $198 dress for less than $25, easy. I had heard recently that McCalls (and Simplicity) are a little more trendy and get the knock-offs to the pattern books. Case in point - McCall's M5655. Even though the pattern is priced at $15.95; the stores will often have sales for $1.99 and even 99 cents a pattern. 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 yards of fabric - bought on sale, too. Spool of thread, a bit of elastic (watch for half price notions sales, also!) and you are good and looking good to go. Give McCall's and Simplicity patterns a look when you are looking for a knock off and to be a knock out!

Also be sure to check out www.patternreview.com - an online sewing community and invaluable source of pattern information to help you sew and save even more. There you will find reviews of different patterns, online sewing classes, tips, and more.

1963 McCall's Tote Bag

I found this unused, uncut pattern for only 25 cents at a thrift store a few years ago. I bought it not only for the pattern, but the applique/embroidered initial iron-on transfers. The original price was 75 cents, I bet probably a little pricey for 1963. There were lots of options - fabric choices, trim - with fringe-making instructions, pockets, flaps, lining for the bags, including a leather skin layout (!). I cut apart the legs along the inner seam of a pair of old jeans.

I used a back pocket for the outside and the upper front pocket stitched to the inside for my cell phone, keys -- to attach to the belt loop, etc. By just edge-stitching the pocket sides and not along the top, I was able to double the pocket real estate by creating two pockets. Instead of lining, I finished the edges and then stitched some vintage trim alongside it. The gold trim was also from a thrift store "goody bag" find and matched the jeans' topstitching thread. The outside pocket's feather accent is a $3.90 hair clip from H&M. I stitched just above the jean hem to close the bottom of the bag - I wanted to incorporate the look and leave the option to easily add fringe or beading later. The finished size measures 19" from strap to bottom, 13" wide.

I give up on McCalls! (re-edited)

I've never had good luck with getting McCalls to fit me, even as a pre-teen stick shape, but I love their designs. I decided to give them one more chance with McCall's 5469 "Pullover Tent" (Tunic) from the last $1.99 sale at Jo-Ann's. Good thing I only paid that instead of the $15.95 list price. Not only a waste of $2 but a waste of 3 yards and a waste of 60 minutes and waste of fantasy. OK and waste of sanity.
I tried to make View B, the pink top in a nice top-weight jersey knit, I realized it would be a little voluminous, so it wasn't a fabric error on my part. I couldn't really pin-fit, the front piece was huge and unwieldy! (and not a good time cutting out, either - it hung over the the cutting table edge! Really, I should have just stopped right then and there.) That piece was so big, you even had to tape an extension! And then the pleats, I figured what the heck and decided to just go for it. But I should have studied the photo more closely -- now I look and see all that fabric bunching on the left side. Easily I could have gone down two sizes, but alas, their pattern sizing/envelope combinations are XS-S-M and L-XL. I guess McCalls now has vanity sizing -- Albeit flattering to fool myself I'm a Small (!), if other mere mortals were to buy this pattern based upon their measurements, they will also be disappointed and frustrated it's just way too big. All over.

Repeatable Winner - McCalls 2205

I'm trying to remember how many times I've made this shirt. It could be 7 or 8, or even more over the years... These shirts get worn and worn out. Here's the link to my review on Patternreview.com from a couple of years ago.

Aren't the JHB palm tree buttons perfect? Click the photo to enlarge and see them better.
L found them and approved the fabric choice at Hancock's a couple years ago. This was the fabric which surfaced during the Big Dig in my sewing room the other day.

Other fabric versions have included the famous Father-Daughter pink fish fabric (with silver fish buttons), chili peppers, hot sauce bottles, fern fronds, Hawaiian postcards and flame-torch holding surfers! T's comment about this one - "it's very green!"