I bought this pattern, McCall’s M7390, a while ago and have waited all this time to find a striped fabric that would work. I did find a 100% linen with wide uneven stripes which I liked, but when the sales person measured it up, there was only 1.4 m left on the bolt. My pattern said I needed 1.6. Oh so what … I bought it anyway. I’ll just have to make the short sleeved version with no pockets. Hopefully I can make the short sleeved version, instead of the no sleeved version!
I was very pleased that the stripes on this fabric were properly placed along the grain. Sometimes they make a real mess of things – you follow the grain and your stripes are at an angle!
I heard a bit of noise under my cutting table (the kitchen table) and found Sophie trying to get comfortable. She doesn’t like getting picked up much, but she sure likes being close to you.
Stripe matching! I love it! Every piece has to be perfectly lined up with its neighbour when cutting out.
Then the pieces have to be pinned together perfectly!
I’m very happy with how this seam turned out!
After cutting out all the main pieces, this is all I had left!
Amazingly enough, it was just enough to cut out the pockets.
Which I sewed on … and then picked off. I just don’t like all those uneven stripes going in every direction!
I interfaced and sewed together the front panel and its facing … and didn’t like them. The front panel wasn’t balanced. I would prefer the black stripe to be on both sides of the front panel seam.
So I took the two seams apart and sewed the different pieces together to end up with a balance of a black stripe on each side of the front panel seam. But of course now the interfacing was on the wrong pieces.
I ended up fusing the interfacing to the piece that needed it and “peeling” it off the piece that didn’t need it! GAH!
That’s better! Black stripe on each side of the centre seam.
Topstitching done, which actually helped fasten my interfacing on.
Final photos – I really, really like this top. The linen feels wonderful. I love the stripes. It’s very dressy/comfortable. These shots were taken after a day at work and yes there are wrinkles in the linen, but not as many as I expected. I love the opportunities for colour blocking with this pattern. I can’t get over the feeling, though, that I am wearing medical scrubs. LOL! I did read of some complaints about this pattern on-line. There aren’t any darts, just curves where the side fronts meet the front panel. I wonder what this top would look like in a fabric with more drape?
I’ve already posted this on Instagram, so some of you might know already. This weekend I’ll be at the CIBC Run for the Cure with family – so it’s a “no sew” weekend – and a very fun weekend!
What are you doing this weekend?
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? Nothing! I purchased 1.4 m of this striped linen fabric specially for this pattern. 1.4 m added and 1.4 m subtracted. At least there was no increase in the number! There is still 130.2 metres left in the fabric stash!
i like the way you tamed the stripes. I like linen as well.
Thanks! I love the stripes, there are enough, but not too much!
I love linen just wish it didn’t wrinkle so much. The top is really nice and looks comfy. As far as matching stripes I never get that down to an art, good for you.
Thanks Rose! I do like prints and stripes. I’m not a fan of solid colour tops, really.
Gorgeous job matching those stripes. 😊 This weekend we are going to go target shooting, which we never do!
Thanks! A new experience for you… fabulous!
Very classy top & it looks lovely on you! Great job.
Thank you, Bonnie!
It looks lovely Linda (also you have the patience of a saint!). I wish I could be with you in the Run for the Cure, but I’ll be there in spirit. 😉
Thank you, Susan! We’ll send you a rainy selfie!
That fabric is beautiful and your stripe positioning is lovely! The top looks great on you…
Thank you, Linda! It certainly is a welcome addition to my closet!
Superb stripe-play Linda and I love the finished top on you. Thumbs up from me 🙂
Thanks for the thumbs up Diane😁👍
Hey that looks really good. I like stripes. A LOT. Would the linen be a cool fabric too if we had warmer weather?
Thanks! Yes I made it just in time for our rainy weather! 😁. I’ll have to save it for the summer – it will be very comfortable in the heat!
The stripes are fabulous-what a cute blouse. You did a great job…my attempt with this pattern did not work out, sadly.
Thank you! I have heard others having difficulty and not finishing it neither! So sorry!
I would never have guessed the challenge involved in such a lovely finished top! Un-interfacing something is THE WORST. I’d love to know how many sewers have had to do that, because I bet it’s most of us! 😉 And I 100% agree with your decision to leave off the pockets–they would have been distracting from the awesomeness of the directional difference in the stripes.
Yes, well, the un-interfacing was my own fault… but at least we know it CAN be done! 😁👍 thanks for the compliment!