Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 15

Week 15 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 15 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

This week item is another turtleneck in a dark neutral.  As stated last week, the weather doesn't generally get cool enough to warrant a bunch of turtlenecks.  I do own a black turtleneck and a couple of dark turtlenecks.  I'm sure that they are from Lands' End.  However after watching the Silhouette Patterns - Silhouettes for Fall 2019 video on youtube, I may add a sleeveless shell.  It will serve the same purpose as the turtleneck as it is a base level.  Peggy Sagers used the Eileen Fisher's Basic 8 as a starting point for talking about the basics. 

So, I'm going to follow Peggy's suggestion and make a sleeveless shell to wear under sweaters, shirts, etc.  The color that I'm going to choose is dark gray.  I will be using this pattern:

Maybe, if I have time and energy, I'll make the cardigan also.  This would be a versatile set to have in the wardrobe.  For now, I don't believe that I have this fabric in the stash.  I will check the stash for anything appropriate before adding any additional fabric.  The stash really doesn't need to grow anymore even if it is just 3 yards of fabric.

Are you following along with this series?  How are you using this to help with your wardrobe?  Any additional helpful information?

Happy Stitching!

Pant Muslin #1 - Sally's Pants

I have been taking the Pant Fitting Class at Silhouette Patterns.  The class is using the Silhouette Pattern #3200 as it's base.  Here's a look at the pattern:

The front cover of this pattern isn't interesting nor is the line drawing.  However upon opening the pattern, you realize that this is a very basic pattern - five pattern pieces total.  It is high waisted which is very current styling right now.

I dug around in the stash and found 1 1/2 yards of twill type fabric that is beyond prime use.  Here's a  closeup of one piece with markings in pencil:

Here's the first try-on:

This is a hot mess.  I definitely need more room from side-to-side in the high/hip and belly area.  It was very hard to pin close  I'm going to remove one of the darts to see if that helps a bit.  Unfortunately, I didn't have enough of this fabric to cut larger side seams and that would have been very helpful. 

The back doesn't look too bad.  There is a little bit of gaping at the waistline so I will take the darts up a little bit.  I need to figure out the wrinkle on the right side.

I think I need to go watch some videos on pant fitting.  Here's round 2 of fitting this muslin:

The changes here are the release of the darts.  This made it much easier to pin the pants closed.  I also put a little tuck across the front.  You can see in the first picture that the fabric was being pushed into this position.  The tuck does move around to the back but it is very small. I think I need to add a little dart in the curved area under the belly to remove those wrinkles.

The back isn't too bad.  Honestly, I would probably be happy with this but I'm going to try a small dart at the hip and see if it can be a little better.

Here I took a small dart in the crotch curve.  I think it may be a little bit low but the wrinkling in the front looks a bit better.

Here I took a small dart at the hip.  To my eyes, it looks like the dart should be a little deeper.

I'm playing around with fit just a little bit.  I released that front dart and pinned in a deeper crotch curve.  I think that I really need that dart.  I can't tell that the deeper crotch curve seam did anything.

Here I've taken a deeper dart at the hipline.  Those wrinkles are looking better don't you think?  I think I will pin a little bit deeper dart here and see what happens.

I think this is looking good for the front.  I'm ready to transfer these changes to the pattern.  I hope I'm able to do this accurately.

I think this back is looking pretty good also.  I'm ready to transfer the markings.  I will share one more set of pictures.  This will be with the pinned darts sewn.

This version isn't quite as good as the pinned version but I'm going to still transfer and see what I end up with.  The right side of this looks very good.  I will transfer from that point.

This version isn't bad. I will be truing the high hip dart and transferring the information from the right side.  In this picture, I also have the hem pinned in.  That way I can get the pattern trued for the hem.

I'm ready to start muslin #2.  I may not put the seams on the outside with that one.  I'm guess I'm feeling pretty confident with this muslin.  Folks, I can't emphasize how much easier it is to fit a muslin with the seams to the outside.  I have done this with the last two muslins that I did and I only had to cut one muslin before I went one to create a garment.  Try it and let me know how it works for you.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Long Kimono Jacket

Looking for a light weight coat?  This one would definitely fit that description:

This is the Eileen Fisher Boiled Wool Long Kimono Jacket.  Price:  $448.00.  I really like the color of this one.  In the right color, this would be a go with everything jacket.

The Indygo Junction Contemporary Kimono would be a great pattern to recreate the Eileen Fisher jacket.  Changes would be lengthen both the sleeve length and jacket length, add pockets, and create a shawl collar.  You might also consider reducing the width of the sleeve and that may take a little playing.

As far as the boiled wool, just do and internet search.  It's available at many fabric stores.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 14...

Week 14 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 14 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

This week we are starting over on the introduction chart and applying it to cold weather, i.e., winter.  So we'll be starting with a light neutral top.  The suggestion is a turtleneck.  I will be looking to other garments to fullfill this item as it doesn't stay cold very long here.  I have turtleneck tops that are never worn.  So, as I have done previously, I am going to look at what is currently in the wardrobe.  

In checking through the fall/winter items, I do have two light to medium gray t-shirts.  They certainly meet the qualifications for this week's item.  However, I noted with the first quarter wardrobe that I really needed to add a top or two that would look good with my skirts.  I went through my patterns and selected Loes Hinse Designs Italian Blouse.  Here is a view with line drawings:

This is a fairly classic looking blouse.  I checked pattern review and most people liked the pattern but there were a few issues.  Hopefully, I can work through them.    I need to look for some fabric as I have serious doubts that anything that I would want to use is in the stash.  So much for not purchasing any fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Sewing With Knits...The Hoodie

In the post on Sewing With Knits: 5 Wardrobe Essentials, I stated that I was going to make the hoodie from the class. I did find the french terry in the stash.   I finished it!  Here are the front and back views:

Folks this is right off the machines.  I'm rather pleased with this.  It will be perfect as the weather starts to cool (it was 85F today).  If I make another one, I will make a small style change.  I'll remove a bit of the excess around the hips.

The big thing I did with this was I cover stitched the hems.  I was so excited about this.  I have played with the machine but other than using the chainstitch haven't really used it to create anything.  Here's the cover stitch on the hood:

Not bad for the very first attempt.  It remains to be seen whether or not the hems that I did in the round will stay put.  I did attempt to follow the directions for locking the stitching but you never know. 

The next item item in the Sewing With Knits: 5 Wardrobe Essentials is the Scoop Neck T-Shirt.  I need to print the pattern and tape it together.  Please note that if you use this link and purchase anything, I do get a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Here's something to make you smile:

This is my 4 1/2 month old kitten, Rocket.  The only reason I was able to finish the hoodie is because this is how he spent the afternoon.  Otherwise, I would have had too much help. 

Happy Stitching!