Hobbies and Crafts

Thoughts on the McCall’s Fall 2014 Pattern Releases

M7025

So, the fall patterns were released by McCall’s last week, and I feel the need to comment on them. As with Butterick’s fall 2014 line, there were some hits and misses. Some of the patterns I really, really wanted to like but just can’t. Like, for instance, M7025, which should be cute, but just looks like a piece from a movie’s costume wardrobe:

I really, really want to like it, but it’s just a bit too over the top with its military detailing. Others, like M7024 were (yawn) boring.

M7024
M7024 – Yawn

There were, of course, several patterns in the collection that I liked and that I’ll probably pick up when I have a chance. These were:

M7017 is so cute. SO CUTE! I love this little skirt and top combo. It’s so feminine.

M7017
M7017

I like M7014 a good bit as well. The lines are clean, and it makes a good fall wardrobe staple into something a bit more interesting.

M7014
M7014

For us moms with kids, M7018 is an easy style to wear. It’s a nice way to look put together while still being comfortable enough to lift up tiny people and carry them around. this one may become a TNT pattern in my collection when I pick it up.

M7018
M7018

I also really like M7020 for similar reasons. It looks like something I could put with leggings. It would be easy to work from home in, and it would be something that with the right skirt and material could be dressed up. It also is versatile in that belted, it looks more dressy, but loose, it accommodates bloat.

M7020
M7020

M7023 is the first vest pattern I’ve seen that I like. It’s been a long while since I considered wearing a vest, and I think this one could be really cute as an addition to my wardrobe.

M7023
M7023

I’m in love with the skirt in M7022. I think there’s a lot of versatility there, and I look forward to adding it to my wardrobe. Oh, and while thrift-store shopping over the weekend, I found the perfect fabric for it as well.

M7022
M7022

M 7026 had a lot going for it. I thought “Awesome! Look at this cute running jacket and running pants! LOVE!

M7026
M7026

Then, they showed me the back. Um…what?

M7026
Angel wings on your running jacket? What???

I’ll probably still pick up the pattern and make the normal looking track jacket.

Speaking of “What were they thinking?” They gave us plus size girls nothing to work with. I mean this is the worst of the three:

M7027
M7027

When will pattern companies learn that women of size do not want to wear comforters as clothes? I mean, I’m sorry if you like this style, but to me it says “I couldn’t find anything to wear, so I cut a hole in my quilt and threw it over my head.

I mean, seriously!

I want to embrace my curves. I don’t want to hide them. Bulk just makes you look…bigger! If that’s your thing, then hey! Go for it. I prefer well-fitted clothes that are female figure-flattering. After all, our curves are what make us different from those angular menfolk!

Enough said about that.

I found myself also a bit disappointed by their new kids’ patterns. Their stuff was either “yawn” or similar to patterns I already have in my stash.

What were your thoughts about the fall release from McCall’s?

 

 

Ronda Bowen

Ronda Bowen is a writer, editor, and independent scholar. She has a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. in Philosophy, Pre-Graduate Option, Honors in the Major from California State University, Chico. When she is not working on client projects from her editorial consulting business, she is writing a novel. In her free time, she enjoys gourmet cooking, wine, martinis, copious amounts of coffee, reading, watching movies, sewing, crocheting, crafts, hanging out with her husband, and spending time with their teenage son and infant daughter.

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6 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    I would like the first one if it were just a mid-length jacket, minus the plaid pockets or the plaid skirt…oh, and minus the military sleeve cuffs…ok, too much changing to like it? maybe, lol.
    Agree with the second one…I tried to imagine it in other colors or prints and it was just boring.
    Both skirt and top are adorable in the third one (although I still have to get used to pattern mixing…polka dots w/ stripes?)
    #4 would work for me if it weren’t plaid….and I”m wondering if side (invisible) pockets would be better (but then you have to think about the pooch the pockets make if they are not flat front pockets)
    #5Functional, comfortable, classic. Although I”m not a fan of the button up sleeve…just give me a regular sleeve.
    #6 Yes
    #7, I’ve never worn a vest..I think it accentuates my top too much and I don’t need any help in that area, lol.
    #8 Cute skirt.
    #9 Cute front, really comfy and classic. Can you make it without that atrocious back?
    #10 Fah-get-about-it!!

    1. LOL, Lisa. The first one I really wanted to like! LOL!

      I wore vests as a teenager, I think that a vest may help with the post-baby chest thing I have going on. We’ll see. I’ll probably try one on at a store before I invest in sewing one.

  2. Victoria says:

    I just bought M7018 and can’t wait to make it in some deep purple jersey fabric I have sitting and waiting to be sewn into something great. No tabbed sleeves, however. This will be the long sleeved version (yay – no cuffs) and I’m still deciding between the straight back and shaped hemline. A lighweight button-down shirt – worn with or without a cami underneath – perfect for the start of fall.

    1. Excellent! I’m not sure what fabric I’ll use for it. I have a couple different jersey fabrics, which would be appropriate. We’ll see when I get there. for now, I’m trying my best to avoid buying any sewing patterns or fabric since I have a huge stash of both. Of course, that’s easier said than done!

  3. […] may remember this pattern, McCall’s 7022 from a few weeks ago when I took a look at the fall patterns. I haven’t decided if I will use it or Simplicity 2154 for this amazing orange tweed yardage […]

  4. I’ve ordered the coat pattern lol I could see some potential. It kind of has a military/riding coat thing going on that I like. I definitely won’t be going for such a contrast look, maybe a charcoal on grey? I also got the M7018, it has great TNT pattern potential as you say! 🙂

    1. Excellent – I look forward to seeing what you do with the coat pattern!

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