Allegro Bottom Pants and Phoebe Tank...

 The final bit of sewing for the month of April.  Another pair of Allegro Bottoms pants in linen and another Phoebe Tank.  There is certainly something to be said about fitting a pattern and using it more than once.  It makes sewing much more enjoyable and satisfying.  Here is the Allegro Bottoms in a navy linen:

Here is the Phoebe Tank is a shade of blue linen:

I actually purchased these two linens to go together but I do not think I will wear them together.  I suppose that makes this tank an orphan.  The pants are such a great neutral that they will never be an orphan.  I guess we will see in the future what I find to go with this tank.  This will be the last Phoebe tank this year unless I decide to make it into a dress.

Happy Stitching!

Friday Update...

 This bi-weekly update does not contain a lot.  I have been reading more than usually.  

I started another room since the last update.  Not done with the bedroom yet.  I still have not decided what I want to do with furniture.  Rearrange or move to another room.  The whole moving furniture to other rooms is getting harder to do.  I also worked on a few floral decorations.

I worked on the Love Notions Allegro Bottoms.  After listening to the lesson in the Love Notions class that I am taking, I decided to stay with a size 14.  The muslin (no pictures) indicated that I needed more space.  I made minor changes to the back and added 1/2-inch to the side seams.  Click the link to hear/see more information.

Overall the last couple of weeks have not been too exciting.   I do not seem to be doing a lot lately.  These posts will move to a monthly update.  Maybe the last Friday of the month.

Happy Stitching!

Love Notions Allegro Bottoms Pants...

 The Allegro Bottoms Pants pattern by Love Notions is probably the most sewn pant pattern I have now.  I lost enough weight over the winter that my pattern needed to be reworked.  I had a hard time deciding what size to make.  Finally, I decided that the size 14 would be the best option after watching part of a sewing class that I purchased from Love Notions and listening to her advice on how to select a size.

Next, I checked my length measurements against the pattern and realized that I needed more length in the back crotch.  I proceeded to add this at the hip line, cut out, and sewed the pants.  The extra length added at the hip line was a mistake on my part.  The additional length was in the wrong place and added wrinkles under the tush.  So, I took that length via a sewn dart on the muslin and tried the pants on again.  Definitely needed additional length for sitting but still had wrinkles under the tush.  So I pinched another 1/4-inch dart.  This information was transferred back to the pattern.  Here is a picture of the changes on the back pattern piece:

I also decided that I really needed more space in the hips.  I added the 1/2-inch to the outseam and then stitch the half inch.  Here is the pink linen made up:

Overall, I am fairly happy with the fit of these pants.  The white tank is one of the tops made to go with these pants.  I also played around a little bit with a jacket that I made a couple of years ago and I think it will make a great outfit for going out to eat.  Just the tank for the hot day and the jacket for the air conditioned restaurant.  Here is the outfit:

This pink linen for the pants was one of the two linens that were part of my first fabric purchase of the year.  I am excited to say that both pieces have been used now.  This is probably a first for me in many years.  Fabric almost always becomes well seasoned stash before I get around to it.

Happy Stitching!

Jumping Outside The Project List...

 I knew when I posted my 2023 project list that it would be fluid.  I think that is part of sewing.  When I was younger and sewing, I completed what I was working on before moving on.  With that said, I did not really have a fabric stash.  At the most, I would have fabric for one or two projects at a time.  Honestly, a fabric stash did not exist until the internet.  There are many days when I wish I did not have a fabric stash now.  I think I always collected patterns.  

I am going to add pants to my list.  Not literally, but I find pants something that I want to make consistently but do not because it is too hard.  With that said, I will be following a process similar to the one that I used with the Willow Tank but with pants.  I will be following the measuring diagram from the Vogue Sewing book for taking measurement. Here is a visual: 

In addition to taking the measurements and comparing to the pattern, I will be re-watching the "Let's Sew Easy Pants" Mini Series by Karina of Lifting Pins and Needles.  The Vogue Sewing book does show some alterations both flat pattern and "on the body".  Karina will show some as well.  The Silhouette Patterns youtube channel has pant fitting information as well.  There is a two-part series as well as older videos that show fitting on a bodies (a little hard to find).

There are two patterns that I am considering.  The first one is the Love Notions Allegro Bottoms pdf pattern. Here is the line drawing:

 The version that I want is the long pant hemmed.  It has been a favorite in the past but I suspect that sizing has changed based on the fit of the current pair.  The second pair that I am thinking about is the Peckham Women's Trouser by Liesl & Co.  Here is the line drawing plus pant picture:

These patterns represent easy and moderately challenging.  At least, to me they do.  

The only thing I am a little worried about here is I have been losing weight which is a great thing but is something that requires re-fitting of patterns every 20 or 25 lbs.  I need to lose the weight but I do not exactly enjoy the whole muslin process.  Maybe this process will encourage me actually making some pants after I have played with the muslins instead of holding off till April.

It will be interesting to see how the patterns change using the flat pattern method of checking lengths and widths.  Next post on this will show the patterns.

Happy Stitching!

First Fabric Purchase This Year...

 I have been working really hard not to purchase fabric this year but I really wanted some linen for this summer.  My favorite tank top pattern is fabulous in linen (pattern is a freebie from fabrics-store called Phoebe Linen Tank Top).  I purchased 1 yard of  white linen for a new Phoebe Tank Top:

One of my favorite pant patterns over the last couple of years has been Love Notions Allegro Bottoms. I purchase 2 yards of some Deco Rose linen for a new pair of pants:

It is possible that I will need to re-fit the Allegro Bottoms pattern.  I have lost a bit of weight since last fall which is one of the reasons that I am refitting so many patterns.  Just about everything feels big.  I am hoping that I can get creative with some of the dresses that I made toward the end of summer last year and still be able to wear them this year.  

Both of the fabrics were from the Doggie Bag section at Fabrics-Store.  I do not think that I have purchased the type of linen that the pink linen is before so I am hoping that it is appropriate for the pants that I have planned.  If not, I will find some other bottom pattern that should work.  The pink for bottoms is a little outside my comfort zone.  

If you like sewing with linen, check out the Fabrics-Store.  Linen has become one of my favorite fabrics to sew.  I have made clothing, curtains, and bread bags from various types of linen from this shop.  They have daily specials along with the Doggie Bag section which is left over bits and pieces from bolts.  The fabric in that section generally sell very quickly.

Happy Stitching!

Another Itch To Stitch Foz Top...

 The Itch To Stitch Foz pdf pattern has been one of my favorite patterns since it came out.  You can see my favorite late fall/winter/early spring version here.  This version is going to short sleeved.  Here is the fabric that I chose:

You can read more about this fabric here. It says that I purchased 1 1/2 yards but it sure seems like there is more fabric than that.  I used approximately 1 1/4 yards.  Drum roll...here is my lovely new Foz Top with the Love Notions Allegro Pants that I made in May here:

Here is the same Foz Top with black pants and sandles:

My sewing machine just did not produce a stitch I was happy with so I did pull out the coverstitch machine to finish the hems.  It was challenge because I have not even looked at the coverstitch machine in a couple of years.  I know shame on me.  However with the help of youtube, I was able to get it threaded first try.  Then it was off to play with the tensions and differential on scrap fabric.  You know both of these were a challenge as well.  First try on the actual garment ended up wavy, so I changed the differential.  Any one else find the coverstitch machine a challenge?

Overall, I am happy with the results.  The fit of the top in the the ITY knit feels closer than the fit of the top in the ribbed knit.  I know it is the difference in the fabrics.  Next time, I will give myself a little additional room at the sides.  I also see that I really need to increase the bust dart and do a small sway back adjustment.  It definitely makes me want to get rid of the belly as it is a bit clingy. I do tend to avoid the ITY knits for that reason.  I will wear my top as the weather permits.  Maybe I can figure out how to slim the belly so the top does not have as much to cling to.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  If you purchase through my link, I would get a small commission. Thanks you!)

The Stitching Drought Is Over...

 I finally stitched something and finished it.  The finishing is the most important part. Here is a finished pair of pants:

This is the Love Notions Allegro Pants pattern.  I love this pattern and I almost have it perfect.  Maybe one or two more iterations.  Everything I have made from this pattern has really good.  You can see this first pair that I completed here.  Even though they are far from perfect, I wear them all the time.

I am going to make the short Allegro Skirt next.  I do not really intend for the muslin to be a wearable garment but if it is, I will be a very lucky person.

Sorry for the picture of hanging pants.  My photographer is away.  I will get a picture when I get a top made.

Happy Stitching!

Fabric and More Fabric...

 I do not need anymore fabric but here I am purchasing it.  I purchased three pieces for next summer.  Here they are:

This is a tencil/cotton denim.  I purchased 3 yards of this with the intent on it becoming a Merchant and Mills Factory Dress.   Easy care with machine wash cold and tumble dry.  

This is a linen/cotton in charcoal.  I purchased 4 yards with the intent of this becoming a Merchant and Mills  Camber dress.  Easy care with machine wash cold and tumble dry.

This is a linen/cotton in indigo.  I purchased 3 yards with the intent that this would become a pair of Love Notions Allegro pants.  Easy care with machine wash cold and tumble dry.

I need to check the stash for fabric to go with the pant fabric for some tops.  There should be something in there as my stash has grown by a huge amount this year.  Nothing like planning next years wardrobe.

Happy Stitching!

Allegro Pant...

 I finally made my way back to the Love Notions Allegro Pant pattern.  You can find previous posts on this pattern here.  This is really a versatile pattern.  This time around I used a french terry fabric so technically this is a muslin but once again wearable.

I know it is hard to see how the fit is in black.  In generally, the fit is baggy.  So, I will be making a note to take larger seams with knits.  I did opt to not put in the drawstring this time.  You know I really need the drawstring with the baggy fit.  These pants are very comfortable.

I think I will make an additional small change to the pattern at the back hip.  It will just be deepening the dart a hair and then adding the length back at the top.  It is a minor change but I think it will remove that tiny bit of wrinkling just below the tush.

Overall, I am very happy with the Allegro Bottoms pattern.  It was well worth the money that I spent on it  and I am going to say that it is worth spending the full price on it.  

Happy Stitching!

Love Notions Allegro Pants...

 In the past few months, I have purchases several Love Notions patterns.  So now, I am making myself make some of the patterns.  First up is the Allegro Bottoms and I choice the full-length pants.  Here is the muslin:

The front looks pretty good.

The back needs a little work.  I will start at the hip.  Here is that modification pinned:

I think that little dart cleaned up the leg fairly well.  I did sit with these pants and there a length issue.  This is what I did to the pattern:  transferred the hip dart, added the length of the dart back at the waist, and added an additional inch for sitting.  Here is the result:

This is a gray mystery fabric far different than the original muslin.  I think the front still looks good but the back still have issues.  I think that these are perfectly wearable even with the funky wrinkles.  They are as good as anything that I can purchase.  

This is a fairly popular pattern.  You should check out the variations on youtube.  

Happy Stitching!