Breaking New Year’s Resolutions?

At the start of 2016 I made a promise to myself that I would try and finish a sewing project before starting a new one, and I have stuck to it!  Until now …. I have been wrestling with very frustrated sewing plans!  First of all, I decided to make jeans … yes JEANS, not jeggings, not pull ups with an elasticated waist but proper JEANS!!!!  I saw the Ginger Jeans pattern ages ago and was in awe of all the fabulous creations people have blogged about but the thought of making jeans was just a step too far for me, like making my own bra or nickers, why would I?  However, I decided to challenge myself and give it a go!  And I was doing really well BUT … I ran out of top stitching thread!

I am surprised how little thread is on a spool, after all, the manufacturers must be aware that people will need to rip out seams, especially when top stitching, but it seems there is just enough thread on a spool for 1 pair of jeans …  I did a proper fly front and top stitched the pockets etc.

I was quite impressed with myself, the Mr said “you’ve even done the thingy stitches” (bar tacks) and although not perfect, I am more than happy to wear them, when I get them finished!  I need to get some more thread but obviously it needs to be the same thread but I bought it in Sailsbury and I live in London …… I will figure it out.  Maybe send my Mum a bit of the thread (from a ripped out seam!) and get her to buy me another spool from the same shop.

Then I thought, “I love that Marilla Walker jumpsuit, I’ll make another one!”  I was inspired by this jumpsuit by Plumo.

I found some cheap fabric on Ebay and thought I would give it a try but to make it different I wanted to change the buttons at the front for an exposed chunky zip which I also bought on Ebay but the seller is away for 2 weeks so I’m waiting for the zip and can’t get any further along till it arrives, this is the fabric, not the same obviously but I like it.

So, that’s 2 projects I can’t get finished!  I have decided to make a quick, easy skirt whilst I’m waiting, another Marilla Walker pattern, the Ilsley skirt, it’s a free pattern you can download but she is raising money for a cancer charity so it would be good to make a donation, the link is on her blog.

Finally, I have a pattern, fabric, elastic so hopefully this will be a project I can finish!  The fabric looks denim but actually it is a chambray/viscose mix I got on Ebay and it is very soft with a lovely drape.  I notice there is a bit of “Style Arc” in the pattern but it’s from a piece of scrap paper I used to lengthen the skirt by 2″.  The Style Arc pattern I downloaded and pieced together is the Milla dress which I plan to make in a double knit cotton jersey with a white bodice and yellow bottom half.

 

Anyway, that’s my progress, or lack of it.  I’m letting myself off the New Year’s Resolution rule as I am unable to finish the projects so starting another in the meantime doesn’t count, what do you think?!

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Lilac Misty Jeans! (Style Arc)

Ok, so calling these “jeans” is a bit of a cheat.  Actually, they are another pair of Misty pull-on jeans from Style Arc, my new TNT (tried and tested) go to pattern for jeans.  I still want to make the Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Files but haven’t quite plucked up the courage to give it a go yet, and the Misty jeans are soooo comfortable and easy to make! The fabric I got from ebay and it is a stretch denim but a lighter summer weight and it is really soft and comfortable, I think there is still some left if you want to look! A rear view, always a good look ha!  I’m just pleased with my pocket placement so wanted to share that.   And the waist band is elastic – not much to add as they are exactly the same as my previous Misty Jeans post, made in black denim but this time I did add 1 cm to the inside leg seam which took that out of the length of the crotch to waist and they fit me that bit better this time.   I did the same full bum adjustment as for the black denim Misty Jeans I made, see earlier blog from May 2015.  I’m a RTW UK size 14 (I think that’s a USA 10), and I made the Misty in size 14. 

 I have been busy sewing summer dresses for my holidays so will be posting again soon!  Please leave a comment by clicking the “comments” box at the top, would love to hear from you ….

Misty Jeans – Style Arc

I know this is not the most flattering photo, who wants to see a photo of my larger than average arse!  However, I thought, in the interests of fitting, I would show you what I have done. As you can see there are some lines down the legs which disappeared a bit when I attached the waist band and  I managed to improve the fit on the second pair.

As I have a rounded bum, I had to add in some extra fabric to accommodate the curve.  There are two ways to do this and I have tried both.  I previously made some wide leg summer trousers and added a triangular wedge into the top part of the pattern.

This is a good way of adding extra space to the curve but it displaces the grain line and the waist band edge which you need to be careful about when drawing back onto the pattern.  I always used this method, until I recently found this method:

I cut inside the seam allowance, along the stitching line and pivoted the pattern to create space.  At the waist band I cut the thin seam allowance strip away from the main pattern and moved it out, adding a 1/2″ which created an extra 1″ to the seat area (fabric is folded, so 2 pieces cut).  Then I just straightened the line of the new pattern edge up to the top of the waist band.

I also added 3cm to the length of the rise from crotch to waist as I am a bit taller than average and I didn’t want to be constantly hoicking them up, nothing worse than bum cleavage!

The fabric I used was a black stretch denim with 2% lycra bought from Fabric Land in Salisbury, when visiting my parents. I used an overlock stitch on my Pfaff sewing machine for the side seams

and a triple stretch straight stitch especially for the trouser crotch seam – I love my Pfaff!  As these are jeggings and not jeans, it was an easy waistband with 2″ elastic.  I made two bands of elastic and attached the first to the waist and then the second one on top so that the fabric edge is enclosed.  I just used a zigzag stitch and stretched the elastic out as I sewed.

 

All in all, I am pleased with how they turned out and I have already worn them a few times and they are soooo comfy.  I will definitely be making more!  The only thing I would say with Style Arc patterns is that the instructions are a bit skimpy so you probably need to have had some sewing experience before tackling one of their patterns.  Also, when you order on line you need to give the size you want and they just send you that size so it’s harder to grade between sizes.  However, their patterns are very contemporary and have a stylish look and I am a big fan of them!

Please leave a comment by clicking on “leave a comment” at the top of this page, I would love to hear from you!