Project Revisited...

 Last fall, my son had requested lounge pants.  He told me that he wanted the same size that I had previously made him but with deeper pockets.  That's a pretty easy request.   Here is the post where I documented the lounge pants.

Bear in mind that due to the fabulous year we were having in 2020, I had not seen him since Christmas 2019.  I made the lounge pants as instructions.  Imagine my surprise when I see that the pants are too big in the waist as he had lost 10-15 lbs or so.  He says that he is okay with them the way they are as they will be very comfortable.   Now fast forward a couple of months, he been eating very well (vegetarian) and love having regular meals.  He had previously lived in an area that you could call a food desert as the closest thing to a grocery store that he had was a Dollar General and with the buses not running that was his only option.  His regular access to cheese pizza has disappeared.  He has lost another 10 or 15 lbs.  Now, you know those lounge pants will not stay on him very well and I got tired of seeing the under pants.

I really do not like "fixing" things.  I felt obligated though.  It really did not take long or much effort to fix these pants.  I released the topstitching at the center back seam and pulled the elastic out, made a mark to remove 3-inches of elastic, snipped the elastic, stuffed it back into the waist band, and topstitched the waistband back into place.  How easy is that?  Okay, it did take a couple of days to accomplish but still not a lot of time or effort.    

Now my son has pants that will stay in place for a while longer.  I have no idea if he will continue to lose weight.  I know that the last year has been rough on him.  I do know that the return of the "vegetarian" junk food will not return as long as he is living at my house.  My husband and I have been spending a little more time with helping him to prepare meals.  If you can get the basics of 5 or 6 meals down, he should not feel the need to return to all the previous junk food.  

How do you feel about reworking something you have made?  Do you dread it as I do?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jeans

 As we go into spring, I decided to check out the jeans styles.  Jeans are always in style.  The silhouettes change slightly.  Here is some of my favorites:

1.  Baggy Jeans - Generally, this is a high waisted jean that is fitted at the waist and hip with  a roomy leg.  Here is one pattern that fits that bill:

This is the Dawn Jeans pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns.  View C will fit the bill for this. The pattern has a vintage feel.  With four styles available this is a good value.

This is the Peppermint Magazine Wide Legged Pants.  This pattern would definitely give you a good silhouette when made in a denim fabric.  If you go this route, please consider leaving a donation.

For ready-to-wear look at Wrangler or Levi's.

2.  Vintage Inspired Straight-Legged Jeans.  This is a high-waisted jean.  The Megan Nielsen Dawn pattern View B is perfect for this.

There are other jeans that were specifically mentioned in the article I read but the two above are my favorite.  Jean number 3 is a distressed jean.  Jean number 4 is a Bootcut Jean.  I don't have much to say about either of these jean styles.  If you like them, wear them. 

Hope you are inspired to creative something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Duffle Bag...

 Last fall I joined the Grand Lake Duffle Bag Sew Along at Sew Daily.  Here's a view of the pattern:

I dug through the fabric supply and found a perfect denim type fabric.  I purchased the remaining items from the supply list but was never able to view the videos.  So, the project was put on hold until I was wanting to sew but not necessarily clothes.

Since sewing is my something to do to reduce stress while I take care of my parents, I took my time cutting out the various parts.  Note that the supply list seems to be incorrect.  The exterior fabric took about 1/2 yard less.  This continued with the interfacings.  I purchased an additional yard of the light weight interfacing but probably could have gotten by with 3/4 yard and probably less if I had checked the required amount with the pattern a head of time.  The heavy weight interfacing was the same.  I had purchased 1 1/2 yard of the Decovil for the project which should have been more than enough to complete the project which called for 1 1/8 yards.  The Decovil is very expensive and the only way it can be purchased is in the 1 1/2 yard roll that I had originally purchased.  Actual amount required was 1 1/2 yards + 2/3 yard which is a little less than 2 1/4 yards.  I have no idea if anyone is selling this product by the yard.  This freebie has suddenly become rather expensive. So much for stress reducing. 

I had really hoped that I would be able to complete this bag 100% on the sewing machine but that was not the can at all.  I ended up having to put the lining in by hand as I just could not get into the machine to stitch.  This put me into a "I don't want to do this mood." so it took a couple of weeks to get it finished.

Here is the my completed version:

I am happy enough with my version but I will never make another one.  There were too many issues.  The Decovil is a little bit hard to work with and I am sure that is the reason I could not get it into the bag into the machine machine stitch the lining into place.  My list of pros and cons:

Pros:

1.  It was free pattern.

Cons:

1.  The recommended interfacing was a little hard to find and a little hard to work with.  

2.  Instructions for the handle were a little hard to understand.  I figured it out by looking at the pictures.

3.  The handles really should have had some kind of a cotton cording in the middle of the handle.  This is a comfort issue.

4.  I hated hand stitching the lining to the bag.  

Overall, I will probably use this bag.  It is intended to be used as a project bag and/or a bag to carry things to do on trips.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Heirloom Blouse

 Heirloom sewing is a little different than garment sewing even though you are making garments.  The embellishments are outstanding.

This is the Rebecca Taylor Longsleeve Cotton Organza Blouse.  Price tag: $298.00. Details: 21" from the high point on the shoulder, boxy cut with drop shoulders, hand wash, dry flat.  The description states that the cami is 100% cotton and the blouse is 65% cotton and 35% silk.  I would guess that the lace inserts are also cotton.

This blouse is very feminine.  I love the idea of this type of look.  I don't know if I would wear it.  What do you think?

As far as patterns,  you will most likely need to search for vintage heirloom patterns.  For techniques, check out Martha's Sewing Room on youtube.  There is tons of information.  

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Top

 It is time to start giving thought to spring and summer clothes.  I found this little top and yeah, I would wear it:

This is the Valenta Sleeveless Silk Blouse by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $448.00. Details: Picot Bib Front, crew neck, hidden button placket, sleeveless, fluid silhouette, side slit hem, silk, dry clean. 

I know that the hot summer is coming and this style of top is perfect for hot weather.  I'll admit that I was drawn in by the detail of the picot bib front.   Is the detail really called picot?  Here's a little closer look at the detailing:

Okay, I know this is a little hard to see and I am not sure if you can zoom in any further.  However, to me, this detailing looks more like hemstitching done with a wing needle.  Technically, this technic could be used to apply one fabric to another.  This is something that I have never attempted.  Heirloom sewing is an entirely different realm of sewing.   If you want to investigate, look up MarthaPullen on youtube.

As far as patterns go if you have a shirt pattern already fitted, this is the time to use it.  I did find a tutorial for changing a tank top pattern into a top that is similar to the inspiration pattern - tutorial.  This pattern being used is freebie tank pattern.  I used this pattern several times last year and it is very drafted.  

Adding the front detail will take experimenting with the heirloom sewing.  This is what sewing is all about - learning.  I suppose there needs to be some skill there also.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

This Is Pink?...

 So I ran across this shoe while looking around:

This color is called blush which I always thought was a pale pink.  I thought it would be fun to get a pair of pink shoes.   Much to my surprise this "Blush" leather doesn't look pink or any shade of pink.  They look beige to me.  Here's a peek:

Yes, I am keeping them.  The shoe is actually comfortable.  I will have to figure out how to wear them because I don't think that I'll be wearing blue jeans that often once it gets hot.   Suggestions would be welcome.  I do have a bit of time to stitch up stuff.  I wonder how they would look with khaki ankle pants.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Zip Up Sweater

 There is nothing like a comfortably pullover.  Here's one with style:

This is the Nic & Zoe Zip It Up Sweater. Price tag: $148.00. Details: pullover, turtleneck, long sleeve, zip closure, sits at hip, 25" long.

This is such a great day-to-day top.  I don't know of a pattern that is exactly like this.  Most patterns have a little more ease so you would need to play a little bit.  Here's a couple of options:

This is the Silhouette Patterns Brenda's Hoodie pattern.  The basic silhouette is there.  Changes would need to be the hood changed to a turtle neck, and the pockets.

The is the Seamwork Amari pattern.  This pattern has more ease than the inspiration pattern so you would need to figure out how much ease you would want.  Changes that I immediately see are decreasing the ease, lengthening the zipper, and add the kangaroo pocket. 

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy  Stitching!