Busy hands | Disquiet mind

McCall's M856 (2024), view a, denim shorts

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:39:11 GMT

McCall's M8536 is a pattern for awesome looking wide legged jeans. The only catch is that it is a mens pattern. But why would we let that stop us?

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Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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McCall's M8479 (2024), view b, v.2

Sat, 17 May 2025 15:50:14 GMT

McCall's M8479, woven short skirt pattern with faux-wrap options. I previously made the 'base' skirt, without any of the wrap options; v.1. Now it's time to wrap.

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McCall's M8479, view b, finished, front view with wrap closed
Photo by chebe

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McCall's M8479 (2024), base skirt

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:31:51 GMT

McCall's M8479 is a woven short skirt pattern with faux-wrap options. I was having a hard time understanding how all the pieces went together, so I made a 'base' version of the skirt with the most common pieces and without any of the wrap choices, which isn't technically an option provided. It is closest to View A, but without the over-wrap half skirt (read on for explanation of this).

But first, why a skirt pattern? Well, simply, I need basic/versatile skirt options to fill a gap in my wardrobe. And this skirt pattern has a fly front zipper, which I haven't tried before. Skirts use less material even than shorts, so it's a lower stakes way to practice. And I really couldn't figure out what they were doing, without examining the pattern pieces closely. Curiosity, basically.

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McCall's M8479, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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McCall's 7952 (1995) Vest (aka Waistcoat), v.2

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:06:59 GMT

Remember that McCall's 7952 (1995) princess-seamed waistcoat I made last time? I wore it a bit and came up with some changes I'd like to try.

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McCall's 7952 (1995) View C - altered - waistcoat, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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McCall's 7952 (1995) Vest (aka Waistcoat)

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 20:07:34 GMT

In my quest for the perfect waistcoat I came across McCall's 7952 (1995) (there are at least four different patterns numbered 7952, from 1965, 1982, 1995, and 2019, but I'm talking about the one from 1995 here; 'Misses' Unlined Vest, Pants and Skirt'), View C, is a mid-nineties princess-seamed six-buttoned waistcoat. How could I not?

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McCall's 7952 (1995) View C waistcoat, finished, front view
Photo by chebe

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McCall's 2260 Vest (aka Waistcoat)

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 21:55:28 GMT

McCall's 2260 (which has been rereleased as 8050) is an unlined waistcoat (known as a vest in some places). I made View C; mid-length, straight hem, side-splits, no ties, single button. Although I didn't actually add the button.

Claims to be a 1 hour vest*
*Sewing machine time only
Hah. Cue bitter laughing in facings. Glad to see the new version of the pattern has dropped this claim.

I made a Size Large (16-18). This is not a multi-size pattern. I'd forgotten that these exist. Indie companies have me spoilt. It's a bit snug, so I used a waistband hook-and-bar closure instead of a button.

This is made in a medium-heavy weight black (with grey and white) slub woven fabric. I'm never quite sure if I like this fabric. But it reminds me of tv channel static, which I do like. The back has no shaping, so it bunches, but that's to be expected in an unisex pattern. Other than being a little snug there isn't much I'd change about this pattern, except perhaps lengthening the side splits.

Finished McCall's 2260 Waistcoat
Photo by chebe

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