Stirrup Pant Pattern...

 Last week, I have an inspiration post on Stirrup Leggings.  As I stated in the post, I really liked wearing the stirrup pants in the 90s.  I did find a great legging pattern with stirrups but I kept looking for myself.  I finally found this pattern:

 It is not as skinny as leggings but still skinny.  This is a little closer to something that I would wear.  So ordered this OOP pattern.  I now need to figure out what fabric would be best.  It states 2-way stretch fabric with stretch content and neoprene.  I am not sure about neoprene but it seems to be a scuba type fabric.  

The other interesting thing about this pattern is there is no sizing information.  I mean zero.  What do those size numbers mean?  Now, I am starting to think that I over paid for this pattern.   I will figure it out.  Ugh! I just pulled the pattern out and it is a petite.  I am not really a petite but I think I can work with this pattern any way.  So much to paying close attention to the pattern.  The little pink bubble on the pattern does state that it is Miss Petite.  I just  failed to notice.

Off to figure out sizing.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

Book Review...The Act of Sewing

 I found The Act of Sewing by Sonya Philip recently at my local library.  I am familiar with the author as she is the designer behind 100 Acts of Sewing Patterns which is a basic sewing pattern line.  Look it up.  

The book starts like many sewing books do now listing tools and techniques, discussing terminology, fabric, working with patterns, seam finishes, hems, and finishing curved edges.  All necessary for beginning sewing. Next, we hop into the section where the gold is.  The gold being the patterns.  This book contains four patterns - top, pants, skirt, and shirt.  This chapter provides the instructions for each pattern.  There is suggestions on making a muslin for each pattern.

The next section is where things start getting interesting - shorten/length, make wider/narrower, shoulder adjustments, bust/chest adjustments, and rise/seat adjustments.  Making the muslin can help you  determine what changes are needed to fit the pattern the way you want it to fit.  Next, discussion of various neckline styles and how to achieve them; different types of closures and facings; sleeves changes and how to achieve them; how to change the body of the garment by adding yokes and button plackets; waistband changes; different types of hems; adding embellishments such as gathers, pleats, tucks, ruching, and pockets.

The next section is all about combining the patterns to make a dress, a tunic, a tie-front shirt, and a jumpsuit.

All in all, this is a great book.  I do think that a beginner could do something with the patterns in this book and make pattern changes as well.  The book is a good investment if you are willing to try the patterns. 

I have added it to my library.  I think next year I will be playing a lot with the patterns in this book.  I just need to check the stash and see what might be appropriate there.  If I do not much in the stash and that is possible, then I was start looking for fabric that would be appropriate for the various projects.  

I am thinking of a lot of possibilities especially with playing with necklines.  As much as I like getting new patterns, it is very frustrating to do the fitting on each individual pattern.  It is very freeing to use the same pattern over and over.  I must have made five tank tops using the fabrics-store tank pattern and it was free.  

Hope I have given you food for thought.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Stirrup Leggings

 This is definitely an update from the 90s.  I loved wearing stirrup pants but these are a leggings version:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Compact Rib Jersey Stirrup Legging. Price tag: $698.00.  Details: Form fitted through thigh and leg, pull-on elastic waistband, attached stirrup, pintuck seam from and back, high rise, full length, 95% polyamide and 5% elastane.  Fit: S- 28-inch inseam (without stirrup), 8 1/2-inch leg opening; M- 28-inch inseam (without stirrup), 9-inch leg opening; L -28-inch inseam (without stirrup), 9 1/2-inch leg opening.

This would be such a versatile piece to have in your wardrobe.  I did find a pattern for this one:

This is Jalie 2920.  This pattern contains the stirrup legging but it does not have the pintuck detailing on the front and back.  You would need to figure that part out.  

Inspiration...Lux Casual Pants and Jacket

 This is little outfit is all about comfort.  Check it out:

 This is the Lafayette 148 New York Cotton French Terry Zip-Front Hoodie ($598.00) and French Terry Cadman Jogger ($398.00).  Details:  Hoodie - relaxed fit, draw-string hood, dropped shoulders, long sleeves, 2-way zip closure,  raw edge seam detail, high-low hem, slit sides, banded hem, hip length, 100% cotton. Sizing: S- 44" bust, 24 1/2-inches long; M- 45 1/2-inch bust, 25-inches long; L- 49-inches bust,  25 1/2-inches long; back covers the backside. Jogger - relaxed fit through thigh, tapered leg; pull-on, elastic waistband; front slant and back patch pockets; slit hem; ankle length; 100% cotton; leg opening: S- 12-inch, M- 12 1/2-inches, L- 13-inches.

No pattern selections today.  Seems every pattern company has a jogger pant pattern.  As for the hoodie, I would look for an old Kwik Sew pattern and change the hem.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pencil Skirt

 More inspiration from Ann Taylor:

This is the Ann Taylor Gingham Pencil Skirt.  Price tag: $98.00.  Details:  24 1 /2-inches long, back vent, elastic waist, softly fitted (not sure exactly what that means), knit fabric.

This appears to be the same fabric from the previous inspiration post.  Reminds me very much of the 80s/90s when we would purchase 5 yards of fabric to make a jacket, pants, and a skirt.  

Here is the perfect pattern to duplicate this look:

This is Pamela's Patterns - The Magic Pencil Skirt.  It does not have a back kick pleat but it is easy to add one.   I have made this a couple of times and really like it.  I think it is time to a couple more to the wardrobe for fall/winter.  To see my past versions, search Magic Pencil Skirt and you should see the various posts on the pattern.

Happy Stitching!

Where Have I Been...

 ...and what I have been doing?

I have a lot going on and my attention span seems to be small.  I have a little bit more freedom these days as I have hired help to assist with my parents.  I still visit them on a daily basis but having freedom during the day is awesome.  After 3 1/2 years of having very little time to myself, I am now getting my house caught up and organized.  My husband has done a great job helping but he just does the basics.  

Here is my current list of projects:

1.  Organize sewing room.  Folks this room has not really been cleaned up in 3 or 4 years.  Straightened occasionally so it can be used for other purposes.  It needs a really good clean and re-organized.  The room is overwhelming and I find that about 30 minutes at a time is all I can stand to be in there.  I will get it done.

2.  Slipcovers for loveseat, chair, and ottoman.  I have had the fabric for a couple of years.  Now is as good a time as any to really get this started.  I will start with making the piping.  I realized pretty quickly that I did not purchase enough cording.  For what ever reason, I thought 80 yards would be good for the whole project but when I started measuring one pillow will take about 5 or 6 yards and I have not even thought about determining how much will be needed for the cover.  I will order another roll or two of the piping.  I have made patterns for two of the pillows on the chair.  

3.  I have a finished quilt top that I have decided to finish this year.  I will be taking it to the long-arm quilter next week and I am thrilled.  Hopefully, I can get the binding created while she has the quilt and I will be ready to stitch the binding into place.  I generally finish the binding by hand but it is a king size quilt.  I guess I will make the decision when it comes time to apply the binding. Machine binding is always faster but I really like the look of the hand finished binding.

4.  I do prefer making clothing over all other types of sewing.  I was going to fit a t-shirt pattern but when I starting taking cool weather clothes out of storage I realized that I do not really need any t-shirts but I do need a few skirts/tops and a couple of dresses.  I have also gotten to where I prefer a woven top.  With that said, I will be making two button-down shirts.  I might even take the same pattern and make a dress.  Fabric is all from the stash.  Take about making a hole in the stash shelves.  Between the clothes and the quilt that is somewhere between 12 and 15 yards of fabric gone.  I do want to work on fitting some pant patterns.  

5.  I am working on redecorating some.  My living room/family room has always bothered me in this house.  I can not seem to get it right.  It is an odd room - kinda of open floor plan but not quite.  There are large arches going into the kitchen area, the dining room, and front entry.  Large portions of the furniture must be floating and I am okay with floating furniture. Honestly, it feels like I have too much furniture or maybe it is just not the right kind of furniture.  I know I will get it figured out even if I have to hire someone to help. 

6.  We changed the way we eat a couple of years ago and I have been collecting recipes.  I have finally decided to organize everything so I am not constantly reprinting a recipes to use.  This is kinda like the sewing room - overwhelming.  This task does not get much more than 30 minutes at a time just like the sewing room.  I might work on it more than once a day.  Small bursts seems to make it easier to think about.

Well, that is a little that has been going on.  There is always something new to add to the mix.  I am hoping to get the quilt, the sewing room, the recipes, and maybe some of the slipcovers done by the end of the year.  The redecorating will most likely take more time as I look for furniture to make it feel like home.  I am hoping that some things can be repurposed from other areas rather than just purchasing new/old stuff.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pants

 Today's inspiration is pants that are full of trends - high-waist, plaid, tapered leg, relaxed fit.  Here you go:

This is the Ann Taylor - The Gingham Tapered Pull On Pant. Price tag: $109.00.  Details:  elastic waist, tapered fit, high waist 1/2-inch to 1-inch below natural waist, hits at ankle 27-inch inseam with 14-inch leg opening.  It does not actually say but I think these are knit pants.

I have not really seen this particular pant styling since the 90s.  I guess that is kinda retro.

Sadly, I was not able to find a pant pattern similar to the inspiration photo.  Simplicity 9376 is a trouser style but not really close enough.  Although I have this pattern and would probably use it.   McCall's had a couple of pattern that were potentials.  Bare in mind, nothing was high-waisted, pull-on, tapered leg. It is always possible to locate an older pattern.  

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful for yourself.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Casual Outfit

 Lafayette 148 New York has their resort wear collection available for preview.  I picked the following outfit as something wearable day-to-day:

This outfit is composed of many elements.  The L148 Denim Crosby Boyfriend Jeans - price tag: $598.00.  The Organic Cotton Poplin Color-Blocked Oversized Shirt - price tag: $798.00.  The Matte Crepe Sleeveless Turtleneck Shell - price tag: $498.00.  The Calfskin Leather Pointed Toe Slingback Pump (not shown - matches blue color on shirt) - price tag: $798.00.  The Irregular Ear Cuff - price tag: $148.00.  All items are available to reserve in the Lafayette 148 New York Bouquet.

Details:  

The L148 Denim Crosby Boyfriend Jeans - mid-rise, full leg fit, full length, 13oz denim, zip fly, 5 pocket detail.

The Organic Cotton Poplin Color-Blocked Oversized Shirt - Oversized silhouette, shirt collar, drop shoulder, long sleeves, button cuff, hidden button placket, button patch pocket, side slits with curved hemline, pleated back yoke, thigh length.

The Matte Crepe Sleeveless Turtleneck Shell - relaxed fit, turtleneck, sleeveless, pullover, ribbed trimmed neck and hem, double-knit, hip length.

The Calfskin Leather Pointed Toe Slingback Pump (not shown) - pointed toe, slingback slip-on, calfskin leather with leather lining, moccasin toe construction, 3 1/2-inch architectural icon heel, cushioned insole with leather outsole.  (This is a beautiful shoe and definitely worth looking at if you are a shoe person.)

 The Irregular Ear Cuff - handmade open cuff, pale gold finish, 1/2-inch x 1/2-inch with 1/2-inch opening, 100% brass.

I am all for knock-offs here.  Go check out Etsy for Ear Cuffs.  They have similar cuffs available.  The shoes make a take a while unless you just match the color to the shirt.  

The turtleneck shell - Take your favorite crew-neck t-shirt pattern and add the collar, remove the sleeves (do not forget to adjust the size of the armscye).

The color-blocked shirt - this might be a good time to check the large pieces of stash.  This shirt has one side of the front and the back with one color (blue) and the sleeves, yoke, collar, and one-side of the front a second color (brown). This might be a good time to find a pattern with the oversized silhouette and get it fitted or you can take an already fitted shirt pattern and use it.    Do a search on the blog for the instructions for the hidden placket.

The L148 Denim Crosby Boyfriend Jeans - I do not know of a specific pattern for this styling of jeans.  However if you could locate a trouser pattern if might work.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!