I own this McCalls 4202 vintage pattern (ca. 1980s) and decided this year I’d start sewing my vintage patterns more (not just buying more patterns.) This pattern features knit separates you can sew in 90 minutes. It contains a top with contrast yoke, either long sleeve or cut-on cap sleeve, a cropped or longer shirt-tail or straight hem, shorts, two skirt lengths, and cropped wide leg pants. I sewed the cropped top, contrast yoke cut on cap sleeve and wide leg cropped pants. This is my two piece knit lounge casual top and pant set vintage sewing pattern review.
I chose a cotton lycra with good stretch and recovery in a “watercolor” stripe print from my local fabric store, Seams Fabric, as part of their Make 9 pattern series, where, if you sew 8 garments from their fabrics, they’ll give you fabric to make your 9th for free! These are garments 4 and 5 and it’s the middle of September.
I started these before my summer vacation and really wish I’d have finished them and taken this with me, because this is a perfect outfit for travel. Comfortable, cool, and cute. I love the contrast yoke, so I turned my fabric sideways and cut it out on the crossgrain, to contrast with the vertical grain of the pants. As with all pockets on pants, make these longer (make every pocket bag you sew at least 2″ longer!) and I didn’t, so I’m regretting it. I haven’t yet finished topstitching the elastic – I like to wear them to see that the fit is good for a day before doing that.
Construction of M4202
I sewed this on my Bernette b68 combo coverstitcher, first as an overlocker for the base construction and then hemming the sleeve, top hem and leg hems using the coverstitcher. I could have, but didn’t use my coverstitcher for the waistband seam too. You have the option of a casing or actually sewing on elastic and turning and topstitching the waistband down – the only criteria for that is be sure you actually measure, try on and wear the elastic before you do that. With a casing, like I chose, you can wear them around for a day first to decide if you like the fit of them before topstitching on the elastic later.
On the pattern envelope, this is view C, shown in a solid cream knit on the pattern envelope. I do plan to make the long sleeve top version and the pants again for sure. This is a fun set with a lot of options.
I think this is from the late 1980s, given that I’m the first owner of this particular pattern, and I’d clearly had already cut out the skirt and used that in the past. I ended up adding about 1/2″ to the sideseams of each of the pattern pieces (including yoke, pant legs and top sideseams) as the pattern itself didn’t go up to my ‘me size’ – and I had plenty of room in this. It’s meant to be cropped and boxy, and it looks exactly like that.
What I like best about the pattern:
This is the quintessential casual knit summer outfit. A cute top you can wear with shorts, skirts or pants, a cropped wide leg pant with pockets and elastic waist. I will wear this a lot in my current very casual lifestyle.
Will I make it again? Oh yes, for sure, I’ve already made this (years ago) but never these two garments, and not together. This would be awesome in black/cream or black/white knit fabrics. I will scrounge in my stash for some fabric to use. The top lends itself well toward color blocking (yokes x 2, bodices x 2) and the cropped pants needed no alterations for my leg length.