Striped Separates
Overview:
I purchased this striped double gauze with the intention of making McCalls 8035 (just like Brittany J Jones did here), however all spring and summer long I've been saying I need to sew more separates. So in and effort to do just that I pictured a coordinating set and decided on a tank and wide leg pants.
Top-Simplicity 9114
Pants - McCalls 7786
Skill Level: 1/1
Sewing Time: less than an hour/a couple of hours
Pattern Rating: 4/5
Pattern:
I choose the pants pattern first because I was pretty clear on what I wanted - wide leg, pull on pants. My first choice was Simplicity 8939, but sadly I couldn't find it (which is a clear sign that I need to clean/reset my sewing room). Then I considered Mimi's Simplicity 8558, but they are cropped. Yes I could've easily added 6" or so to the hem and actually I may not have needed to because surprisingly Mimi's pants are always too long on me. Instead I stumbled upon McCalls 7786 in my patterns to sell pile and they fit the bill. I actually think they were in the sale pile because they were so similar to S8938 because probably wouldn't sew the alternate views.
The pattern is very easy. I would recommend it for newbies who want to tackle their first pair of pants because the wide leg and elastic back are forgiving as far as fit, but the flat front makes them look like "real" pants. I love vertical stripes on wide flowy pants like these. My hope is that they make me look taller.
After I sewed the pants I made a matching tank using McCalls 7155, but the it was too long together (that top will get another post). Thankfully I had just enough fabric left to piece together Mimi's crop top (S9114). The crop length paired much better with the pants.
The crop is super easy to sew. I did make a couple of slight modifications. First I widen the straps in the hopes that the top could be bra friendly. Sadly that didn't work because the placement didn't line up. Secondly I lengthened the hem by two inches, but then sewed a 1" hem.
Fabric:
The first time I worked with gauze it was for swaddles for a dear friend's son. That gauze was much lighter and I couldn't figure out why or how anyone would make garments with it, but this double gauze is soft, textured and more opaque. I totally get it now and I want the white colorway. Additional I already have the grenadine which will likely become the M8035 dress that this striped gauze was supposed to be.
One drawback to this fabric is it frays pretty badly, so instead of serging my seams I decided to sew French seams to encase the raw edges. I like to french my seams when I'm using more delicate or sheer fabrics as I feel they protect the seam more. French seams are pretty easy on patterns that have minimal pieces and simple construction. They also look so good on the inside. I talk about french seams more here.
Modifications:
None to the pants and I widened the straps and lengthen the hem of the top.
Summary:
I love this look and I hope I have enough left of the grenadine fabric left to whip up another crop tank. I'm learning to love separates. This is a cute outfit that a beginner could make.
Pattern: Simplicity 9114 and McCalls 7786
Pattern Description: S9114: Misses' button front, long dress with gathered tiers, long sleeves. Crop top. Pants have front pleats, fly and side pockets. | M7726: Loose-fitting pull on pants have back elastic, side pockets, and leg shape and length variations.
Sizing: S9114: 6-14,16-24 | M7786: 6-14,14-22
Difficulty: 1 Novice
Fabric Used: Striped bubble gauze from Joann for both
Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Yes and yes
Were the instructions easy to follow? I barely used them for either, but they seemed clear.
Would I sew it again? Yes!
Would I recommend it to others? Yes!