McCall's 7724 - Mood Fabrics' Striped Shirting

This project is brought to you by perseverance, progress and power through it! Or in other words, it is brought to you by the letter P. I was so excited to make McCall’s 7724 in view A. such a fun pattern with the cold shoulder look and neckline options. 

I went right to Mood Fabrics and started looking at shirting for this project. Stripes or plaids was the direction I was going and I went with Sea Pink Striped Cotton Shirting and White/Pink Striped Shirting. When the fabric arrived, they were perfect together, yea time to start on this project.

So to start it is a combination of a fun  pattern and a great fabric combinations. Mood Fabrics’ has such a nice selection of cotton shirtings, so take a look and find your favorites.

I went to work cutting and preparing all the pieces, so excited to start this unique pattern with some fun fabrics.  My excitement quickly dwindled, I went up a size on this shirt based on the finished pattern measurements.  Well, it was way, way too small.  My initial thought was to punt the project  and move onto something else for my Mood Sewing Network project for April.  Also, note I am not the only one having sizing issues with this pattern.  I think I counted at least 4 others from Instagram posts.  I took out the back darts and let out the side seams as much as I could.  Yea, success, my blouse would button.  I did add one inch to the body and sleeves, as my usual adjustment.  Well, that wasn’t needed at all.  My sleeves are long but it adds to the drama.

I did add the shoulder strap to my View A, it helps the top from falling open when I lean over.  Now one issue with the photos, I could not get the back strap to lay just right.  That is a very difficult to area to reach on your own and my dear husband just doesn’t have the fashion skill to help me.  The strap is basted until a daughter is home to help me, so sorry about the bit of the strap peaking out.   One other thought about the back, the way the pattern is drafted there is a nice curve in the back and side seams, I think it looks good even without the back darts

My cotton shirting sewed and pressed beautifully.  I love sewing with cotton shirting, it holds a press and just easy to sew with great results.  Plus cotton shirting is great to wear in the summer.

Now after getting the shirt to fit with my adjustments, I powered on and made some progress.  Notice the elastic in the sleeve?  The sleeve just was too far away from my arm, it didn’t look quite right.  I added some 1/8″ elastic in the narrow hem of the top of the sleeve.  Great improvement on the sleeve and I really like how it looks.  I do see the shirt is a bit tight at the bust and the arm seam so note this if making this pattern.

Here is the other side

Now for the extra wide cuffs, enough for three buttons and it fits the drama of this shirt.

This shirt is so not my normal style but I am so happy I persevered .  It was a challenge and there are some fitting issues still to tackle if I make this again but I love the fabric I selected for this project.  It is just a fun top for a unique look.

Now my question to you – what do you have planned for spring and summer that is not your usual style?

Disclosure - I receive a monthly fabric allowance from Mood Fabrics to make a garment.  This garment is blogged at Mood Sewing Network first and then I will blog here about this garment.