SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE: MCCALLS 7981

McCalls 7981 is a real ‘wardrobe staple’ skirt for advanced beginners and I love my version — I wore it so much over the summer! This skirt is unlined, and has a button-front design with an A-Line shape, which is achieved either through gathering for Views A and B or flared pattern pieces for Views C and D. The two different lengths either finish just above the knee or at midi length, and oh-so-important pockets are included! I made View A, which is knee-length, gathered and has a sweet tie-waist detail. I’d recommended this pattern for a beginner who is confident with making buttonholes, as the rest of the construction steps are simple to follow and it comes together super quickly ?

I made M7981 from a Lady McElroy cotton lawn, with a print of super cool ladies on the multicoloured, abstract background. I would really recommend cotton lawn for making a ‘summer’ version of this skirt, as it is lightweight, gathered easily and is just so comfortable to wear – you can see more photos and details on my blog!

The reason I have given this pattern 4* instead of 5* is due to the sizing measurements printed on the pattern… I made a size Medium and added 1.5″ to my waistband, based on the finished garment waist measurement of 27″ printed on the pattern tissue for Medium — but when I tried it on, it was really too big at the waist, I had to take it in by a quite a few inches. I really want to make a more ‘winter’ version in wine-coloured corduroy, but I think I will size down for my next version!