McCalls 8452 Pattern Review

Hi everyone, this week I have a quick review of McCalls 8452 for you with a few pics to make you laugh. Proof that fabric choice really does make a difference. As always I will have any pertinent links for you below and thank you so much for being here.
My measurement info for reference:
Height 5'3"
weight 138 LB
bust 38"
waist 34"
hips 39"
Patterns:
McCalls 8452
simplicity.com/mccalls/m8452
Vivian Shao Chen Laurence top
www.vivianshaochen.com/patter...
Me and Miss Moore Feel Good Dress
www.etsy.com/listing/15520286...
Tropical Research T shirt tunic
(I always get the name wrong!)
www.etsy.com/listing/10461557...

[@Sabine69]

Thank you, Gini! Good to see that not only some of my sewing projects do not look good. Thanks for sharing. Have great week. Best wishes ❤❤

[@thebigsewalong]

I wish it weren't true but probably a good 1/3 of my projects are sub-standard although, I have to say, this one is worst than most 😂

[@deb.m.7458]

This skirt is unexpectedly cute on you. Great problem solving….I would have given up at the red one. Seeing this second version has changed my mind. Appreciate your review.

[@robyn3349]

Thank you, Gini! I like this pattern more than I thought I would! 🎉 Paul is the Walrus! ❤

[@thebigsewalong]

Paul IS the walrus!!! 🤗

[@ginaquinzani6488]

Thanks for the good info, again. It always comes down to the fabric, for me. Sew on!

[@thebigsewalong]

always the fabric!!

[@susanhemion2981]

Love the way you styled the blue skirt. Good for you for making it again. I would have thrown the red version in the trash and quit. Well really I would have taken red one apart and used fabric for something else.

[@thebigsewalong]

trust me the red one was in the trash multiple times!! 😂

[@laurischleusener558]

The sheet skirt is so darn cute!

[@thebigsewalong]

@@laurischleusener558 thanks! 😊

[@faithmathingsdal79]

Your blue version is totally awesome and looks amazing with the boxy top and the tank top. They were my fave styling-wise. This is so not my vibe, but I absolutely love it on you, Gini!!!

[@thebigsewalong]

thanks Faith!!🤗

[@redkbikerider]

Wow after the train wreck of the red skirt the blue one looks fabulous and sold me on the pattern. I definitely admire your stick-to-it-ness! I agree the red version is a too short and too wide and I think it would be interesting to see the narrowed version side by side with your original to compare how that change affected the look. As I'm pear shaped and I would swap those top flap pockets as they add width and make it with L shaped patch 'pork chop' pockets instead.....similar cargo vibe but less attention grabbing. I prefer it styled with the first 2 loose shirts as to my eye they seem to balance the skirt better. But some tucking seems required whether cheeseball 🤣or not to delineate the waist. I was very surprised how slimming the blue one ended up looking...especially after the red one.

[@thebigsewalong]

Oh yeah I love those pork chop pockets! thanks for the feedback on the tops🤗

[@mjemyers]

I too love those pockets. I like the drape of the cotton sheet and think that maybe a rayon challis might work. Or tencil. Something with some weight. Thanks for posting the red one too.

[@thebigsewalong]

I think a rayon twill would be awesome!

[@christinebush3343]

I’m so glad you shared all the pitfalls of this pattern. I would’ve made it up in my size and then been disappointed with a big puffball of a skirt. I really love the blue version, now I’m excited about making this skirt. 😊

[@thebigsewalong]

thank you Christine, it really is a cute skirt and I love the pockets!

[@BethS-LA]

Cute pattern---I do love all the bells & whistles. (And would never make it for myself !) Good save with the sizing :) I also completely appreciate the red poly taffeta version --please show us what you turn it into

[@thebigsewalong]

thanks Beth, if I can stop being mad at the red one long enough to fix it I'll be sure to show you!

[@charlottemccaig578]

I was so afraid you were going to say you liked the red skirt so I was trying to think if something positive to say, lol. This is such a great example to a new sewer to show what a big difference the right fabric makes. Have a good 4th, keep my big buddy safe along with his siblings 🧨

[@thebigsewalong]

🤣🤣🤣happy 4th Charlotte!

[@k3of5ks]

Either the linen or knit tank tops look nice. I've never been able to pull off a half tuck. Thanks for the pattern tips.

[@thebigsewalong]

thanks K3!🤗

[@Heyreneesews]

Thank you! I just bought this pattern ❤

[@thebigsewalong]

😀😀😀

[@judithritner9696]

Hi Gini😀, that red one was pretty awful. Very honest of you to share such an unflattering fit. The blue one looks so great on you. I liked it best with the Tropical Research top. You are amazing when you can take something like the first try and turn it into such a fabulous skirt. When you said you would be sewing the skirt, I went to my closet for a couple of linen mix skirt/coulotte type things that I hadn’t been wearing. Mostly because I didn’t know how to wear a gathered waist that has a iwide silhouette . The tops you showed were great. I played around with a few items, but will need to shorten an existing top or make a new one. Thank you again so much for sharing your process and inspiring me. 🤗🩷

[@thebigsewalong]

thank you Judith! I LOVE that this inspires you to wear some things you already have in your closet. I think I should make another one of these tropical research tops it's so quick and easy and it really does look good with so much stuff! 🤗

[@dorisamstutz5888]

IMHO love all the shirts, don’t love the half tuck, would like to see the choo choo tee tucked in to show off the elastic around your pretty waist. Love the blue on you and surprise surprise I like this skirt you should be the model for this on the pattern front!

[@thebigsewalong]

Wow Doris!! Thank you so much!🤗I'll try tucking in the T!

[@julieparrish6051]

I'm going to try this! I think a washed duppioni could be very nice; the washing softens it up a lot so it can drape and gather more gracefully.

[@thebigsewalong]

OMG Julie I had hot pink Dupioni in my stash, washed and ready to go for this skirt but when I laid it out I realized I had a LOT less than I thought I did so I had to go with an alternate BUT washed Dupioni would be PERFECT

[@pamelawilkinson177]

What if you pegged the bottom of the red one - ala Lagenlook. Take more inches off the waist and use a drawstring rather than elastic. Cute pockets and contrasting zips on both of them. The blue sheet one is leading you down a good path. Your cotton lawn idea is a winner. Another fabric idea: a very stable knit again with a pegged hem and lots less ease at the waist with a drawstring waist. Nice to be outside on your patio.

[@thebigsewalong]

thank you Pamela, this pattern comes w a drawstring waist, I eliminated it thinking it would be funky under a top but, now I know I won't ever wear anything that long over it I think I will use the drawstring in the next one.

[@yvettewilliamselliott8851]

Skirt looks really good after your changes - I think it looks best with a neat top like the tank top.

[@thebigsewalong]

thank you Yvette!

[@hallie7220]

Love the skirt in the blue sheet! Also love your expression in the red taffeta. 😂 Admittedly I have both gut and skin issues which make elastic waistbands something to be treated with care, but all that polyester bunched around my middle, in hot, hot summer weather? I think that one would be stuffing a draught excluder or pouffe or something. Will be interested to see how it works out when you redo it. I love the skirt with the Laurence top, and also the Tropical Research one - the tucked in tank looks really good, but a bit less Gini-style, which is what we all love! Also excited for your showing the Feel Good dress - I dithered a lot between that and the button pleat top (which can also be a dress), and will definitely get the Feel Good if you like the pattern!

[@thebigsewalong]

thanks Hallie, I think the tank top looks "Fine" but as you say it's really not "me". I have been debating that button pleat top myself. I'll see how I get on with the feel good dress🤗

[@vanessak-j8372]

The fabric seemed to make a lot of difference and the skirt looks amazing.

[@thebigsewalong]

this is why I should remember to NEVER use polyester taffeta 😂😂😂

[@alanna7782]

It would be cute in some ankara I've been saving, but as much as I love oversized, as someone who normally does cut a big four size 6, wow that's a lot of volume! Your modded version looks so cute and summer casual though!

[@thebigsewalong]

Oh It would be cute in Ankara! but girrrrrrrrrl you would have to really cut that pattern down!😂

[@sewmuchsewing]

Hi Gini, nice to see you. The red skirt wasn't so bad, remember the bubble skirts from the 80's? 😂😂😂. Love the changes you made to the blue version though. I made a toile out of an old linen bed sheet once that actually turned out to be one of my favourite dresses I've made ever. I'm looking forward to your next video, that dress looks right up my alley. See you again soon!

[@thebigsewalong]

@@sewmuchsewing oh boy do I remember those bubble skirts! Maybe I liked them then because I was much smaller😂I’ve had a couple of toiles that turned into well loved everyday wear. I love when that happens 🤗

[@thebigsewalong]

@@sewmuchsewing ps how’s the move going? I miss seeing you here on KZbin 🤗🤗🤗

[@sewmuchsewing]

@@thebigsewalong Aaww thanks! 😁 its been a bit of a long haul but we are 3 weeks away from move day now. But its obviously feeling easier because I'm starting to think about making videos again 🤗

[@thebigsewalong]

@@sewmuchsewing yay!!!

[@rode-o5206]

I just picked up Simplicity 9954 pretty similar since JoAnns had the $1.99 sale.

[@thebigsewalong]

@@rode-o5206 I hadn’t seen that one I might like it better than the mccalls. I like the seam under the pockets!

[@bluegrassdreams2seams510]

I like boxy tops with skirt. The blue is pretty. Would a light linen work with weight if zippers? We are suppose to have a break in heat today or tomorrow. I just stay inside and knit or plan sewing projects. I’ve got to get going again. The two weeks taking care of a two year old just wore me out🤣

[@thebigsewalong]

wow two weeks with a two year old! 😵‍💫I think you could still use zippers on the lightweight linen but you'd have to use regular zippers not these giant plastic ones I used on the blue skirt. 🤗

[@wandacobb7143]

Hey Gini I was going to sew this pattern and now I’m kind of apprehensive about sewing it. Would you be willing to do a sew along and show the changes that you made.

[@thebigsewalong]

@@wandacobb7143 yes Wanda I can definitely do that. I already have my video ready for this week but I can do this for the following week. 🤗

[@wandacobb7143]

Thank you Gini. ❤️

[@normacooper6377]

Definitely not for me. I think it would be quite unflattering for my pear shaped body. 🥴