Puffy Sleeves and Curtains

Recently I’ve been going through a ‘puffy sleeves’ stage. I’ve been isolating here in the village for a year now and I feel like making some fantasy clothes that make me feel good. So I bought McCalls Sewing Pattern 7978, something utterly different from my usual sewing patterns, and have been having fun with that.

I made the first version from some scrap upholstery fabric. This is heavy and with no stretch whatsoever, and a lovely soft feel.

Although I am normally a 14, I made this in a 16 and it came out very tight - possibly because the fabric is so thick. Even though this is just a toile, I made some fabric covered buttons out of the final scraps to give it a couture finish!

For the next version, I used some second-hand curtains that my lovely friend Trudi had bought for me from a charity shop. I made the top panels longer to give a FBA, and also reduced the seam allowance for the bottom panels to give a bit more room. I just love the fabric for this one.

After this I wanted to use some lovely cosy needlecord fabric. For the body I used NewLook 6374 view D, without the colour block panels. The sleeves are from McCalls 7978, and I replaced the loop fastenings with button holes. and I even got a compliment from my 12 year old son ("that looks very... Tudor, Mum").

Made up with no adjustments in size 14, and it fits well.