McCall's has just released their early Fall 2016 patterns and I think they have several winners. Most of the are pretty basic and look like many other patterns I've seen, but these are a few that jumped out at me...
7433
Just gorgeous vintage style. I'm in love with the fabric choices here and all the little details. From their website:Pullover dress has semi-fitted bodice, side zipper closing, skirt with front and back pleats, self-belt and contrast neckbands. A: Short sleeves with contrast band. B: Long sleeves with cuff and placket.Circa 1943I love the delicate pleats of the skirt, the gathering at the yoke and the pretty collar. It even has little notches taken out that are hard to see in these fabrics. While I'm absolutely in love with this dress I don't think it would be super practical. Although, I guess if you lose the gloves and vintage styling it automatically looks a little more contemporary. 7431
McCall's is jumping on the boho 70s trend! I am totally ok with that as I've purchased 3 (!) wide legged flare jeans in the last few weeks. Don't worry, they're all in different washes so they look totally different! I swear ;)Again, they chose a great print and fabric for this dress. It actually looks like it may be from the same fabric line as the previous dress. Amazing how it suits both time periods so well, even though they're such different looks. From their website:Pullover dresses have elastic seamed waist, sleeve and length variations. A: Front bodice lace-up with two-part eyelets and trumpet sleeves. B: Purchased lace and bishop sleeves. C:Purchased piping and flared sleeves with ruffled band. D: Sleeveless and floor-length. C, D: Notch neckline.I really like the way the yoke has a piping option as well as a lace-up option. I'm not really a lace-up kinda girl but it looks great on the model. There are several sleeve options, as well. The bishop sleeves are probably most to my taste. Another thing I like about this dress is that it has a gathered waist. I see a lot of boho shift dresses with no waist definition. While that looks nice on less curvy women, I really need all the waist definition I can get. This dress pattern could easily be changed into a shirt pattern and that's awesome, too. 7429
I'm a little less enthused by this pattern. I like the nice draping effect in the front, but the high neckline looks weird to me (especially the mock turtleneck version, wtf). I'm also worried that the draping would potentially draw all focus to the tummy area in a bad way. It could be really pretty, though, on the right person. From their website:Close-fitting pullover dress has front twist detail at waist and neckline variations. A, C: Sleeveless. A, D: Mock-neck collar. B:Long sleeves. D: Short sleeves. Note: No provisions provided for above waist adjustment. 7436
Not a bad shirt pattern. I actually like the pussy bow version of this one better, but the photo has these weird black lace inserts that are just ugh. Definitely has potential, though, and a good pattern to show off a pretty fabric. Is it just me, or are there some fitting issues going on here?Loose-fitting tops have long sleeves, collar variations, front pleats, and narrow hem. A, D, C: Collar extending into tie ends. B: Back neck hook & eye closure and stand-up collar. C, D: Bishop sleeves with button cuffs. A: Flared sleeves. B: Cuffed sleeves. 7446
YES. This whole outfit is one big yes. That galaxy print fabric is so amazing. I feel like the sewing world needs more galaxy print and also athletic wear. There are definitely some good pattern options out there, but a girl always needs more! Actually, I've never even sewn an athletic wear garment, BUT THIS MIGHT BE THE PATTERN TO START WITH.Maybe. If I can face my fear of sewing lycra. Anyway, love the seam lines, love the color-blocking options. I have to say, though, not a fan of the jacket. Maybe it's the fabric, but it looks a little too...Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century to me.For reference:
Anywho, this is the info on their website:Loose-fitting jacket has stand-up collar, separating zipper and shaped hemline. Wrong side of fabric will show. Close-fitting tops and tunic have side seam panels, shaped upper front, elasticized neck and armholes, racerback straps, narrow hems. Close-fitting leggings have shaped front and back contrast. F: Pocket at hip. All have stitched hems. There are plenty more Fall 2016 patterns, but none of them were really doin' it for me. Definitely check them out, though!
Not only did they send the fabrics, they also included a huge stack of samples, 6 tiny coconut buttons, a good-sized length of black lace ribbon and several twill tape scraps which they used to bundle the fabric. There was, unfortunately, an issue with the gorgeous floral rayon. I ordered two yards of it to make a dress and they sent me two separate yards of it. Obviously, that wouldn't work for making a dress.I emailed them and told them about the issue. The immediately gave me a refund for the floral fabric and asked if I'd like two yards of a different rayon since the floral had a dye issue. I looked through their site and nothing really stood out so I just asked for two more yards of the floral, weird dye or no.All in all I was disappointed that it happened in the first place but they handled the issue quickly and above and beyond my expectations. I will definitely continue shopping here because I'd like to support a smaller fabric company vs. JoAnn fabrics. Still, though, how does that even happen? Oh well.Here are the fabrics I bought draped on a form to show off the print/weight:
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[Helena Floral Rayon] 
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