Pattern Review: Mccall's 7100 Bomber Jacket

Hi everyone!!

I have been making some improvements to my Youtube channel and so I decided to do a couple of pattern reviews in the mean time. I am always trying to improve Alchimisti and have been learning SO MUCH about this whole blogging/ youtube world. There is so much to learn!!! From editing to improving the video quality and audio of my tutorials, these couple of months have been a course on doing it all (and having a great time doing it)!! 

This bomber jacket was actually one of my very few dreaded Unfinished Projects! I started making it in January but sort of gave up on it after a VERY questionable fabric choice for the contrasting sleeves made my life much much harder. Now 10 months later, after much learning (and probably equal amount of failing) I have decided to finish making this fully lined denim bomber jacket. I switched the fabric of the sleeves for a double knit and actually had a great time making it. I also have some pics of the first version I have made of this jacket, which I made last year. So here is my pattern review...

PATTERN REVIEW:

Denim and double knit bomber jacker. Fully lined jacket using yarn dyed rayon fabric and with sleeve detail. 

Pattern Description: 
Semi-fitted, unlined jackets have collar, side front seams, bands, exposed front zipper and sleeves with shoulder dart. A and B: welts. A, B, C: side front pockets. D: front pocket. Designed for medium-weight wovens and stable knits.

Pattern Sizing:
I used size Small for both jackets.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes! I chose view D but used contrasting fabric for the sleeves for the denim jacket and used view A with contrasting fabric for the sleeves for the first jacket I made (photos below).

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. Overall the instructions were pretty clear. I only wish they would give instructions for lining as well. But the pattern clearly states "unlined" jacket so I created my own lining pattern and it worked well. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The one thing I didn't particularly liked from this pattern is the sleeve shoulder dart. I am not sure if it really helps the fit of the sleeve and I'm probably going to test removing the dart. Apart from that I really like this pattern especially because of the raglan sleeves. 

Fabric Used: For the denim bomber I used a dark blue denim, a textured heather double knit for contrasting sleeves and yarn dyed rayon for the lining all from Michael Levine in downtown Los Angeles. I also added a trim for the sleeves that I got from Joann. For the pink bomber I used this amazing fabric from Peru and pre quilted faux suede fabric from Joann. I used black rib knit from Michael Levine for the cuffs and colar of both bombers. 

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made the sleeves a bit longer (about 3 inches) on the second bomber (denim) since the sleeves were a bit too short on the first bomber (pink). Also, if you are making sizes L- XXL you might have to alter the sleeve according to Mccall's blog (For post click here)

Unlined bomber jacket made using fabric from Peru and quilted faux suede sleeves. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would recommend this bomber jacket for people who have some experience in sewing. Mainly because of the number of different techniques used (like darts and zippers) and the amount of hand sewing if you are going a lined bomber. That being said, I love both my jackets and feel like practice makes perfect so maybe bomber #3 will be perfect!!

Hope you enjoyed the pattern review, the post and the pics!!

Please comment and let me know what you think!

See you next time my loves!

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Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine With 60 Built-In Stitches, 7 styles of 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholes, Quilting Table, and Hard Cover

MCCALLS M7100 MISSES JACKET (SIZE X-SMALL, SMALL, MED) ~ SEWING PATTERN

Singer 8-Inch Professional Series Scissors Heavy Duty Sewing

Indigo Stretch Cotton Denim Fabric

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links (which means that if you click on one of the product links, Alchimisti will receive a small commission) This helps support this channel and allows me to continue to make videos tutorials like this one. Thank you for the support!

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Pattern Review: Mccall Pattern M7242

Hi everyone!!

Last week I was so busy with work, school and my client orders for Alchimisti that I didn't have time to post on the blog =(.  But this week I finally found some time to take pictures of this lovely dress that I made using the pattern M7242 from The Mccall Pattern Company. 

I bought this pattern on sale during a recent trip to my local Joann. The dress featured in the pattern envelope is so cute that I decided to look for a fabric with a similar look to it. I found this cool rayon fabric in downtown Los Angeles and cut into it as soon as I got home! As a good beginner sewer that I am, I did not realize that rayon can be tricky to work with, especially if you plan on pattern matching (which I clearly did attempt to). The fabric also has very distinct striped motifs and lining them up perfectly was no easy task. 

To make matters worst, this was the first time I EVER attempted to sew buttonholes (and buttons). I was always scared of trying to sew anything that required buttons, but I loved this dress so much that I decided it was time to try!! But I guess slippery rayon with a tricky striped motif might have been a bad choice of fabric for my first go with buttons. After much frustration (and a good dose of anger followed by dismay and self-pity) I decided to accept this dress the way it is and wear it proud! At least until I decide to redo the buttons for the third time haha!

PATTERN REVIEW:

Pattern Description: 
Loose-fitting dresses have mandarin collar, blouson bodice, back pleated into self-lined yoke, elastic waist, side pockets, and narrow hem. A: Bust pockets, short sleeves and side slits. B: Hemline ruffle. B, D: Elasticized lower edge of long sleeves. C: Sleeveless and bias armhole facings.

Pattern Sizing:
6-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes! I chose view B since I didn't have enough fabric to make view D (haha)

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. Overall the instructions were pretty clear. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved how the dress looked in the pattern envelope. So much that I looked for a fabric that was (somewhat) similar to the one in the envelope! 

Fabric Used: I used this super cute Rayon Challis that I got at Michael Levine in downtown Los Angeles. The main issue I had with this fabric is that it really has a mind of its own, which made pattern matching extremely challenging. I changed the placement of the buttons two times in a attempt to make the stripes match perfectly and in the end I gave up! 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I decided not to add the colar because I liked how the neckline looked without it. I also decided to make the ruffle part shorter than recommended in the pattern (because I am only 5'2''). The ruffles on the dress I made are about 7 inches long instead of 12 inches. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would recommend this dress to more advanced sewers. Mainly because of the number of different techniques used and the amount of hand sewing. That being said, this dress is really beautiful and I will definitely be making another version of this super cute and comfortable dress. 
 

Am I ever gonna look spontaneous in pictures? haha

Hope you enjoyed the pattern review and the post.

Please comment and let me know what you think!

See you next time!!