Sunday, March 31, 2013

McCall's 6078: this foot is made for walking

McCall's 6078 done
I was in need of some "instant gratification" sewing, and McCall's 6078 fit the bill.(Pictured here with my J Stern Designs jeans, and bathroom clutter.)

It was a PR "pattern of the year" in 2011, and I saw Bonnie wearing it at PR weekend last year and had to have it. I'm always in search of a good cowl.
McCall's 6078 in progress
There is some swayback pooling but in this fabric, it doesn't bother me.
McCall's 6078 done

With View C, you can move the contrast loops up or down to change the shape of the cowl.

It's still too deep for me. These pix are "carefully adjusted".
McCall's 6078 done

I'm thinking, there must be a way to change the pattern so the cowl isn't so deep.  Cowls always want to fall into a V naturally on me instead of an arc....Also, in its current state, if you bend over, the world can see down your shirt, easily.
McCall's 6078 in progress  
I have an idea and will test it soon... it seems like it's better when I hike up the inside of the strap for about an inch above the loop.

 Anyhoo, I used a walking foot for the first time.
McCall's 6078 in progress
My friend Debbie showed me how to use one in January. This fabric needed it, it's an ITY that I bought with Vanessa in Atlanta last year, one that I was scared to death to work with. Turns out this scary looking contraption foot is easy, the hard part is the boatload of patience to sew sooo slowly (my instruction manual said to "sew at a speed between slow and medium". I bumped it up to medium. )

I even used it on my twin needle hem. 
McCall's 6078 in progress
A whole new world has been opened to me....I can see more ITY knits in my future.

Oh hey, look, here's a pic of the fabric I bought in Atlanta last year--I've actually sewn 2 of the 3 fabrics up, woo-hoo! (the clock fabric is an apron, sewn last summer...)
fabric and elastic purchases, ahoy!
I made more cookies tonight. Last week I shared too many cookies and didn't keep enough for myself. This week, I'm holding on.
Nestle Toll House cookies with walnuts from scratch 3/31/13
Hope you had a great holiday! Be well!

13 comments:

  1. The cowl looks good from here. Maybe the top of the cowl needs to be 'less wide'. I don't know how to describe it.
    Can I say your jeans were worth the effort.
    I hope your break has been a good one too.

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  2. When I made the HOT HOT HOT DRESS, I took width directly from the center front fold to reduce the cowl. Of course, the bust width was a good 5" above mine, and it was a knit, so there was room to take. Just a thought....

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  3. I've made that top and had to raise the cowl also. Here's how-

    Note the line that runs across as a fold line for the facing? Fold the pattern piece at that line so that they're layered together. From the outer edge angle inward to that fold. That shortens the drape. I think I shortened mine close to two inches. HTH

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry but I don't understand "from the outer edge angle inward to that fold". I've been trying to figure out how to raise cowl's and just can't figure it out.

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  4. I'm always in search of a good cowl neck dress or top as well. I love M6078 because it's so quick to make. Your top fits you well and looks great.

    Thanks for the comments about my jeans pocket. Imitate away. =)

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  5. It looks great. I actually like that the cowl comes to a v.

    The bending over problem would really not work for me. I don't want anyone seeing what I haven't got;-}

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  6. Nice top! If you get a good patternmaking book, you'll find directions in it for making cowls in any depth you want.

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  7. Nancy-if you look at the pattern piece you can see what is the armscye and, on this pattern anyway, the straight line up from it is the shoulder seam. Where the line is that runs across is for the self facing. Fold back at that line so that the shoulder seam and self facing are together like they would be when sewn. From the armscye (near the triangle) angle the line inward to raise the neckline. When you open it up you will have a V instead of a straight line. I hope that makes sense.

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  8. Love the top. Good advice from Debbie. Those cookies look delish.

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  9. I agree cowl neck tops are a useful addition in the wardrobe, just that little bit more dressy than a plain tee but still comfortable. Your walking foot made a lovely clean hem, I usually avoids knits because the seam always gets ripply, so maybe I need to invest in that scary looking contraption too

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  10. Love the fabric you chose for this top. Looks like you've gotten some good tips from others on how to shorten the drape on the cowl. Good luck with the next one!

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  11. Hello! I'm trying to catch up on my reading so I decided to start with your last post. Looking forward to see what you have been up to. With cowl designs the fit of the shoulder must be spot on to have a rounded look, you might want to go down a size just when cutting shoulders just to see the effect. Hugs!

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