Category Archives: The Pattern Probe

A diary of learning how to use sewing patterns and reviewing them.

The Pattern Probe #16: McCall’s M8236 Grocery Bag

McCalls M8236

Happy Spring, everybody!

I’m finally trying out one of my many accessory commercial patterns and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Supermarkets everywhere are steadily phasing out their plastic bags, meaning the Universe is telling me to put my sewing skills to better use then fashion (HA! Never!)and make some reusable grocery bags instead

At the same time I came into a giant roll of awesome utility-like fabric and spools of webbing thanks to a generous donor, so the Universe was making itself clear to me that grocery bags should be my next project.

Message received!

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #16: McCall’s M8236 Grocery Bag

The Pattern Probe #15: Vogue V9252 Halter Dress

Vogue V9252

Here we go again! 🙂

It’s time to blog about Wedding Guest dress Number 2.

Since I went out of my comfort zone making the dressy jumpsuit previously, I made up my mind and chose a fancy dress to sew for the second wedding. Interestingly enough, I found the fabric first and used that to pick the pattern instead; a lovely charmeuse in a purple poppy watercolor print with blush pink accents. Perfect material for this project.

After looking through my dress pattern collection, I landed on this Vogue option as the One. I particularly liked the halter neckline style and wanted to learn how to sew it for a possible future Copycat Fashion idea.

The fabric is bought, the pattern is chosen, and now the sewing begins.

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #15: Vogue V9252 Halter Dress

The Pattern Probe #14: McCall’s M8009 Sleeveless Jumpsuit

McCalls M8009

Welcome back everyone!

I experienced a phenomenon I haven’t had in a while: being a Plus One for 2 weddings in the same month. 🙂

From my many hours of reading fashion magazines & web sites, shopping for a wedding guest outfit can be a daunting & frustrating life moment, especially when you don’t have a high-end budget for high-end designer looks.

Fortunately for me, I am a home sewing enthusiast with a large pattern collection to work with.

Here is the first outfit I made.

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #14: McCall’s M8009 Sleeveless Jumpsuit

The Pattern Probe #13: McCall’s M7058 collarless princess seam blazer

McCalls M7058

Hello again! Did you miss me?

Like I mentioned in the previous post I have accumulated 4 sewing projects in the last few months and am ready to post all of them.

This project is actually the second time using the McCall’s M7058 princess seam outerwear packet. First time around I used it for an Easter art piece, ‘High Expectations Meet Unexpected Realities’ and you should check it out if you’re curious.

That project was a clever attempt to practice with this particular pattern because I have plans to make multiple garments from it. Here is the first garment I made from this, a collarless blazer using vintage pieces of fabric gifted to me a while ago.

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #13: McCall’s M7058 collarless princess seam blazer

The Pattern Probe #12: McCall’s M8055 Elastic Skirt

All right, it’s good to be back!

Life can sometimes add a lot to your plate and keep you from blogging. I have been working offline on a few projects from freelancing to crafting and even a few sewing projects.

Here is one that brings me back to basics because no matter how long I’ve been sewing, I find it good to do simple projects for improving my skills.

Plus, knitwear has seriously been trending the last 2 years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen knit skirts with elastic waistbands in high fashion selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars a pop.

Thanks McCall’s for ANSWERING the call, lol.

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #12: McCall’s M8055 Elastic Skirt

The Pattern Probe #11: Butterick B6298 Romper

Time for another sewing project!

Actually this is not the first time I’ve used this pattern design. Initially I made Jumpsuit C, the one with the jogger pants bottom and hood, from black ponte fabric in the Large size. Boy that fabric was tough to sew with! Had to learn that one while doing it and my piece ended up being too big on me. I still wear it around the house from time to time though; it’s baggy but comfortable. However I vowed one day to try this pattern design again and get it right.

That day has come. 🙂

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #11: Butterick B6298 Romper

The Pattern Probe #10: DIY Ballerina Wrap Skirt

On Pointe.

Hello Sewers!

For this latest Pattern Probe post, I decided to do something slightly different and make a pattern from scratch by using a tutorial I found on YouTube.

I love buying commercial patterns from the usual folk (Simplicity, Burda, McCall’s, Butterick, Vogue, etc.) because they’ve been doing a great job keeping track of the latest fashion trends and they’re essentially doing all the work for me when making the patterns for the garments. All I have to do is cut the pieces out and sew it together per the instructions, and as a home sewer slowly improving herself every day I couldn’t ask for more.

But lately I am, lol…

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #10: DIY Ballerina Wrap Skirt

The Pattern Probe #9: McCall’s M7726 Pleated Pants B

Hello everyone!

So that friend I mentioned in my Burda Young 6799 Hoodie Jacket post? She asked me to make her a pair of pants to go with her navy blue/lilac purple jacket too.

Awesome! My home sewer heart loves getting more requests, and after sifting through my online pattern archive she chose the tapered ankle-length pants design in this McCall’s pattern collection with just the belt loops in a navy blue fabric.

No problem! Let’s get to my process sewing these pants…

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #9: McCall’s M7726 Pleated Pants B

The Pattern Probe #8: Burda Young 6799 Hoodie Jacket

GASP! Another Pattern Probe so soon?

Yes, yes there is.

This one was kickstarted by another friend of mine who was interested in me making a dark blue and purple hoodie jacket.

Of course I took on the project! I would not miss a sewing opportunity for something I’ve always bought but never made for myself, much less for anyone else.

This Burda Young pattern from my collection was the final pick (Design B). Up to this point I’ve purchased Burda patterns but I haven’t tried making any of them so this was a ‘right place, right time’ moment for yours truly.

Annnnd off we go on another knit project!

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #8: Burda Young 6799 Hoodie Jacket

The Pattern Probe #7: Simplicity 1444 Dance Shorts

First Pattern Probe post of 2021! Already I’m more productive with this blog than I was in 2020 and I was in quarantine too, lol.

Too busy figuring out things to do while stuck at home, I guess.

Anyway, this latest probe into my ever-growing sewing pattern collection was sparked by a friend’s request for some comfortable shorts with a custom phrase on the back. I showed them some options and this one for dance outfits (Letter G) was chosen.

So off I went on another garment making adventure!

Continue reading The Pattern Probe #7: Simplicity 1444 Dance Shorts