I finally bought the kid's undies pattern from that*darn*kat that Dawn blogged about and made my first pair. They're so cute!!!
These are made out of an old T-shirt, and some of the red cotton/lycra from this top. I ended up sewing them entirely on my sewing machine, not using the serger at all. There are two rows of zigzag because when I did the first topstitching I started too close to the seam and had to do another farther away!!! But I actually like the look.
I'm definitely making more of these for DS1. This first pair is actually size 2, which I did just to see how it went. Maybe if DS2 starts potty training soon he can wear these! One can only hope!!!
I didn't expect it would be so long before I wrote another post; unexpected things happen. We were also away for several days, and had visitors over. So, before all that, I was trying to get all my sewing done!
The Jalie tops finally got done, and I'm pretty happy with the results; just a few small adjustments and that should be it. Here's the 2nd version of Jalie 2805.
I'm not sure about the small folds by the armpit. They seem to go away when I raise my shoulders a bit! Maybe I need to increase the shoulder slope a fraction more?
Then here are 2 more tops, Jalie 2804. The first one has the modesty panel, but I didn't bother on the 2nd; it seems fine without it as the neckband is very taught.
The red is a pretty firm cotton/lycra fabric, and the polka-dot is lycra as far as I know. I got it in the remnant bin at C&M Textiles. These tops are great right now, especially as we've finally got the usual summer heatwave going on right now. But *UGH* I can't stand the humidity!
I did also manage to sew that pair of shorts for my husband, KwikSew 3421, more or less as a muslin that he wears around the house and back yard. He has some favourite MEC shorts that he's had for years, so I decided to try and copy some of the detailing on those using the same shorts pattern as a base. More on those later.
It's been a GREAT week for sewing!!! I finally discovered Burda WOF!!!! Why didn't I find this amazing magazine earlier? I've been subscribing to Threads for about 14 years, but I've not made a heck of a lot from it; it is though, a fantastic resource for technique. It really felt like Christmas when I opened the BWOF!!! So, I've started to trace Burda 06-2009 #102, and hopefully I'll have enough of my Wazoodle double-knit for a first try. That fabric is soooo soft.
But the main thing this week was to hem 2 T-shirts for my Mum, and get 3 pairs of shorts done for my eldest son (4 YO), and they didn't cost a cent as they were all made from swag T-shirts. I even incorporated the logos and designs for a more interesting look (I hope!)
The shorts pattern is from Kwik-Sew's Sewing for Children book, which I would now modify by adding about 2 inches to the length; they are a bit on the short side (as you can see when he's lying down - I could actually see his underwear!), but that was probably the fashion when this book was published.
I also traced and sewed a muslin of the v-neck T-shirt pattern Jalie 2805. And a good thing I did a muslin, as it's uncomfortably snug! (I'm red-faced because of the heat in the room, it's my sewing room and also where the computer is.)
The bust is size T, which I modified by taking out 1/2" for petite sizing in the armscye area. But the underarm seam is right in my armpit. If you wonder about the choice of fabric, it's from a cotton T-shirt that my old company used for testing colour inks for T-shirt printing, and it probably doesn't have as much stretch as it should. (There is also the remaining 10 lbs that I've not lost since having the 2 kids!) I can also see that I'll have to make adjustments for my forward-tilting neck, as the shoulder seam and back neckline sits back too far, and I'll try size U for the bust area and the arms, which are still snug even after slitting the pattern to add 1" to the hem line. Maybe I'll get another muslin done this weekend, or at least traced and fabric cut out.
Next week my goal is to sew 2 pairs of shorts for my husband: Kwik-Sew 3421. I've got some fabric, but he didn't seem too gung-ho about it. Oh well, I've got to start somewhere! More on that next week when I get a bit further on them.
On another note, tomorrow I'm actually going out on a date with my husband! We've hardly gone out in the last 4.75 years, other than our anniversary. It's lunch and a movie, as my Mum is going to be looking after the boys. Luckily for her, the little guy will be napping after lunch so she only has to entertain the big one! I think we're going to see "Up", or "Star Trek" which I'd prefer. Gotta take advantage of seeing a movie on the big screen!
Hope anybody else reading this has a great weekend too.
Finally! I've actually created something for the summer. I've been undecided about skirts, opting for shorts these last few years, but last Wednesday at our neighbourhood playgroup most of the other Mums wore skirts and they looked so cool. So I phoned C&M Textiles, they're the only place I know of in Ottawa that stocks Jalie patterns, and they had it in stock. Next morning a quick jaunt over there to pick it up, then I traced it and cut it out when DS2 was napping after lunch. Friday I cut out the fabric while DS2 napped and watched "Cars" with DS1. On Sunday I started to sew it in the middle of the afternoon after my SIL left, and got most of it done before supper. After the kids were in bed I just finished the waistband and did a quick 2-thread rolled hem.
This fabric is a very lightweight jersey, and it feels like there's some spandex, so I do need to wear the right underwear; but I don't think the bulges are as noticeable as I'd thought (or maybe my DH was being diplomatic about it!)
I'll definitely make this again, it's a very quick skirt and so comfortable. I only made one alteration for the length; chopped 2 inches off (I'm not quite 5' 2"). I'm still not totally sure about the length though, as my calves seem large; but if it's longer it seems to unbalance me. I'll have to experiment, and I've got lots of knit fabric that I bought just for practising!
In hindsight, this really was folly! When I was pregnant with my 2nd boy, I made this stuffed chair (McCalls 9665) for my older one. Why would I make this? It only cost about $150!!!! I do love the fabric, it is gorgeous, and he loved it too!And here he is sitting in it, right in front of the TV...doesn't it say everything!
Here's my review for what it's worth!
I LOVE to sew. When I think of sewing, and fabrics, my mind goes into another state. I forget everything around, and time just stands still. Or so it seems, because I've often found myself up into the wee hours.
The sewing bug started in grade 7 Home Ec, and I spent hours at the sewing table with my Mum. Up into my mid-twenties I made dozens of outfits and single pieces, and several winter coats. Then it kind of tapered off as I became engrossed in my career, the new house, and finally the kids.
I'm trying to get back into sewing garments, for myself and my family of boys. I'm really tired of sewing cloth diapers!!! I had my kids late in life, 39 and 42. My oldest is 4 2/3 YO, and the youngest just turned 2, and I find myself with an almost overwhelming itch to sew something lovely again; it's been such a long time!! I've had a small fabric stash sitting in a box for years, and recently bought a pile of fabric on sale at my local Fabricland; ends/remnants mostly, but I thought I'd start with the basics, and learn to get the fit right! I never did a muslin until last month!!!
I don't remember how I stumbled across the blogs that I've been following here, but it's been so nice to feel that there's a huge community of great sewers out there. Your comments are great too.
