Hi Everyone!  If you are so inclined, vote for my trousers on PR!

VOTE HERE!

Colette Juniper Trousers!

I'm back.  I've been sewing some and crafting some, but just not blogging.  Sorry :-/

I busted my butt this morning and into the afternoon to finish this pair of pants to enter into the Pattern Review Pants Contest.  I started them because of the contest and of course waited until the last possible moment to finish them.  

 Here's my official Pattern Review:

Pattern Description:  Classic wide-leg trousers, perfectly fitted through the hips and falling gently to a moderately wide hem. Has front slash pockets and fly front. Pattern Sizing: 0-18. I made a 4 with lots of fit modifications. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes! It did! Were the instructions easy to follow? I thought they were pretty easy to follow. I sewed the pocket in a different order than the instructions called out, which made more sense to me. I thought the instructions were a little too wordy. They are too conversational and could be easily simplified and still make sense. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I really like the style of these pants. Something I always want to buy, but have a hard time finding in stores. The fit was not great for my body type. I do not have hips so I had to make some modifications. That was a little annoying because being an indie pattern (not a Big 4) I was hoping the body measurements listed on the back of the pattern would be more accurate. I measure 27.5" at natural waist, and 36.75" at hip and I had to take in this pattern a lot! See below. I also did not like that there wasn't a top pocket facing. I ended up adding one. Fabric Used: A vintage med. weight denim I bought at a church sale for a few dollars years ago and a vintage floral sheet for the pocketing I got for free when I first started to sew. Yay for stashbusting! Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Okay...here we go... Like I said above I made a size 4. I was a big-ol-idiot and thought that I would make the pants straight from the envelope and not have to make fit adjustments. I even overlocked and topstitched the sides and back rise before checking fit. Derrrr. So I had to unpick a lot and make as many adjustments as I could without recutting and redoing the entire pant. I ended up taking in the side seams from about low hip to waistseam 1/4" (1" total circumference). i also took in the CB seam 1/4" (1/2" total). Of course then my facings were the wrong size! My seam allowances for the CB facing pieces ended up being about 1 3/8" and I left my front facing pieces seam allowance 5/8." This was my quick and dirty fix. I hate recutting pieces. Also, I drafted a little top pocket facing because it is one if my pet peeves to see pocketing fabric exposed inside the pocket. I still need to address a little bit of "hungry butt" but overall, the fit is pretty good for my first real pair of pants. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might make this again, but I would have to transfer all my fit changes to the pattern and I'm not up for that right now. Plus there are so many other patterns I want to try. Conclusion:  Overall, its a pretty good pattern, just not great for the hipless.

 Here are a few detail shots of the pocket and the trouser closure.

 If you made it down this far, VOTE FOR ME :)

Birthday Shirt for the Boyfriend

The Boyfriend's birthday was at the end of April so I decided as one of his birthday gifts, I would make him a shirt.  I had the fabric picked out since last summer or fall, and was going to make the shirt for Christmas, but ran out of time.  Oh well, he now has a winter shirt just in time for summer.  :-P

I used the Colette Patterns Negroni Shirt again.  Here is the last shirt I made with this pattern.  This time I made the long sleeve version in a beautiful brushed cotton woven plaid.  Another swapmeet purchase for $1.50/yd.  Can you believe that?  If you could feel the fabric through your monitor, I think you would be impressed.

I followed the directions exactly this time, I even felled the sleeves and side seams.  The instructions for doing so are quite good.  Much better than I expected!  I only have two complaints with the pattern.  The first is that the area on the shoulder where the facing joins up with the collar is quite thick and bulky.  I trimmed and graded my SAs, but there is still some bulk.  Second, I think the sleeves are drafted long.  Or the Boyfriend has Tyrannosaurus Rex arms, but I'm fairly certain they are a normal length.  I really should have measured the sleeves beforehand, but I forgot and I also wanted to keep the shirt a surprise.  Every time I worked on the shirt, I meticulously cleaned up so he would not see what I was making.  Because the sleeves are a couple inches too long, he prefers to wear the sleeves rolled.  It looks cute that way, so I don't mind. :)

The cuffs, outer yoke, and pocket are cut on the bias.  I matched up the fronts and sides pretty well, but the sides could be better.  I'm totally pissed that I cut the back piece slightly off grain.  I hate that you can tell because it is a plaid shirt.

Overall, I'm proud of the shirt and the Boyfriend says he loves it.  He's worn it more than I wear my own self-made clothes.

Thanks to my newest Follower, Danette!

Colette Patterns: The Negroni!

I finally re-hemmed the sleeves and the shirt is ready to go back to live with the Boyfriend.  Since I stupidly never got a picture of him wearing the shirt, I had to take a photo of it on the hanger.  

I love the fabric.  It was another $1/yard find at the swapmeet.  It is a navy blue and white yarn cotton/linen shirting.   The pictures do not show the color very well.  I think it's cotton linen.  Or maybe just cotton. Or just linen.  I learned in textiles class that you cannot really distinguish between cellulose fibers in a burn test.  Linen's ash is a little whiter than cotton's, but not by much.  You can only really tell if you look at the fibers under a microscope.  They have different structures.  

I wish there was a front placket on the shirt and collar stand.  I think Peter from Male Patterned Boldness did a tutorial for it so I may just make my own next time around.  I already have more fabric purchased for the second shirt. A small navy blue and white check or gingham. I can't quite remember off the top of my head.

Here's my quick PR review:


Pattern Description:

Men's short sleeved and long sleeved shirt. View 1 has longer sleeves with a finished placket and cuff. View 2  is the short sleeved version. The shirt is slightly fitted so ends up with a modern look.

I made View 2.
This was the wearable muslin to see how it fit.

Pattern Sizing:

S to XL.  I think it is pretty true to size.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yup!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes.  I thought they were very easy.  The yoke was put together a little differently, but it was easy and went together well.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

The fit was really good for a shirt pattern.  I thought the sleeves were a little long for a modern shirt pattern.   Not sure I love the pockets, but they are kinda cute.

Fabric Used:

Cotton/Linen (I think?) shirting.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I shorted the sleeves by about 2 inches.  I also mock flat-felled the seams instead of traditionally flat-felling them.  It was quick and easy.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes! I already have the fabric picked out.  I recommend it to others too.

Conclusion:

Great shirt!


And....

Happy Mother's Day!

1 Year Blogoversary!

April 23rd was my Blogoversary!  I couldn't post the day of because it was a whirlwind of a day with an out-of-town wedding to attend and the Boyfriend was a groom's man.

Lately I've been a bad blogger.  No posts in forever, and nothing all that exciting to show.

The Boyfriend's birthday was this past week and since I wasn't in town then, I brought up all his birthday presents with me for the wedding.  I made him a cotton/linen shirt with the Negroni Pattern.  It actually fits him really well, but the short sleeves were too long so I need to hem them and then mail it back to him.  I never got a picture of him in the shirt!!! AHHH!  I remembered at 5:30am when we were packing up the car to go the airport.  :(

I'll get pictures one of these days and take pictures of the shirt when the sleeves are hemmed and it is pressed.

I'll have a full review of the pattern later, but overall it was a great pattern to sew.  It went together beautifully and the construction of the yoke was interesting. Another burrito method, but slightly different. I'm definitely going to make it again for a winter plaid shirt.  My dad might get a version of it too.  He tried on the Boyfriend's shirt, and although it was a bit too small I could tell that the larger size would fit him well.  Much better than the Victoria Jones pattern I made for him for X-mas.

So I've decided that I will definitely have a vintage pattern giveaway when I reach 75 Followers. It didn't quite coincide with the blogoversary, but oh well!

I want to thank everyone who has continued to read and comment on the blog.  I read every comment even if I don't respond and they all mean so much to me.  I love the sewing/craft blog community so much and am so thankful to be accepted into it.  :)

Thanks to CCInspirations for becoming my latest follower!

And of course, my Pearl:

The "deer-in-headlights" look.  

Funderwear!

A while back I bought some cute cotton batiste or lawn.  I really wanted to make a top and shorts pj set.  I searched for a pattern I liked and while reading my ginormous blog roll, I stumbled upon the Collette mini bloomers.   I hadn't tried one of her patterns yet, it was free, and it fit the bill. It took forever cutting and taping the pieces together.  I hated it and I think it's why I haven't tried a BurdaStyle project yet.

 The french seams and elastic casing.

The shorts came together pretty quickly for me though, which is insanely slow.  I used my walking foot for the first time.  The fabric shifted a lot so I thought it would be fun trying out the foot.  I used french seams throughout, even on the curvier seams which proved to be a little of a challenge.  I was not happy with the drafting of this pattern.  It seemed the pieces didn't match up all that well, but because they were pj shorts, I just improvised.  

I love the elastic casings at the waist/hip.  I think it is super cute. 

 

I couldn't decide which picture was best so I posted them all.  Sorry.  I also have a picture of me wearing the shorts, but The Boyfriend did not want me posting it.  I don't think it's that bad. Its just a mirror (ie. MySpace) picture from about my belly button down to mid thigh.  They aren't even that sheer.  

 

Hopefully I'll find a top pattern to go with these shorts. I'm thinking maybe peter pan collar and button down.  with elastic in the hems of  short, gathered poof sleeves.  Any pattern suggestions?  I'm willing to modify or do some Frankenpatterning.

Rooibos Dress Update and other progress

STUPID EFFING ROOIBOS DRESS! ( the blue one)I think I hate Colette Patterns. I've tried two of her patterns and so far I think they are really poorly drafted. I love the styles. I think they are adorable, but I don't like the instructions (and I've found mistakes!) or the way the pieces are all on one piece of tissue sizes 0-18.

I worked on the craptastic dress last night and got the whole skirt and pocket portion put together. Guess what, the skirt doesn't fit the bodice. They both are size 4. Either I and really horrible at keeping a steady seam allowance or the pattern is crap. I'm going to blame the latter. I don't know if I will ever finish it because I am fed up with it right now.

Instead, I am going to start working on this (view B) :

Hopefully very easy to fit and sew. I need a fun project right now.

Colette Patterns Rooibos Dress

I saw Gertie's post on the Colette Patterns Rooibos dress and wanted to make it immediately. I had a gift certificate to one of the online fabric stores and bought the pattern. I bought royal blue stretch cotton sateen at Joann's (also with another gift card ---> Thanks Mom!) for the dress and some notions. I thought I was all ready to go.

Then I saw the sizing....It seemed to be like the current RTW vanity sizes, which puts me at around a size 2/4. That didn't seem right because I thought I needed a bit more ease in the bust. Is 1/2in ease even enough to move??? I decided to cut a 4 in the pattern (only after I traced it twice! {once on crappy paper, then again on nice white doctor's office paper}) I measured and realized a FBA would probably help. So I did that, made a really crappy muslin, and it seemed to fit okay. I just thought I would have to extend the darts up a little in the final version.

I cut my final fabric, basted the bodice together and it looked awful! I tried fixing the darts, gathering instead of darts, and tucks instead of darts. Gathering looked best, but still made my boobs look droopy. The bodice was hideous. Luckily I had enough fabric to cut out a straight size 4. It fits better, but still not great. I don't think the neckline is quite me. Other than Gertie's version and the pattern picture, I haven't liked one version of the dress I've seen made up. I'm sure I haven't seen them all. There are too many sewing blogs out there to read!

Right now the dress is in pieces and I don't know when I'm going to have time to finish it. The Boyfriend's birthday is Friday. I have my digital photography class tm night, dinner with the Boyfriend and his Dad Wednesday, and my amazing quilting class on Thursday. I have to finish baking the cake too. And go shopping for his other bday present. Too much to do!

I'll upload the pictures of two of the previous things I made later.

Hooray! I'm actually blogging!