Trousers, trousers, trousers. Where do I begin.

I used to make trousers for myself all the time way back in the 80's and early 90's.  They were so simple to get right back then.  Think pleats and wider legs.  It was hard to mess up the fit of those oh-so-forgiving baggy trousers.  The only 2 things you really had to get absolutely right were the crotch length (to avoid the super baggy, unattractive sack look) and the waist size.  The more modern trousers with flat fronts, shaped waist bands and closer fit legs are a completely different animal.  So where to begin making them for myself again.

The answer for me was shorts.  Yes, shorts.  Less investment of material, more casual in feel and some how psychologically less daunting.

I bought Simplicity 2700 from the Simplicity Amazing fit collection.  I decided I liked the waist band and the overall cut of the pants.  The directions are detailed and very simple.  The idea is to first make sure you are cutting the appropriate pattern pieces for your figure type (straight, average, curvy) based on the overall crotch length, back crotch length and hip measurement.  After taking all the measurements I decided to cut the size 10 average.  The pattern purposely leaves 1" seams on the sides and center back waist to adjust the fit of the waist after the pants are basted together to check the fit at the hip.

I would up having to use all but 5/8" of the 1" seam allowance at the sides and back to make the waist fit.  I am pretty straight up and down with little waist indentation because I am very short in the body.

The directions are clear, the sewing very straight forward and I found the pants super easy to put together.  And how did they wind up?  Here are the pictures!  I used a non-stretch dark blue denim I found at JoAnn Fabrics and the pocket lining is a 100% cotton gingham also purchased at JoAnn.  I washed both fabrics 3 times in water hotter than they will ever see again and dried them both on high as well to avoid any shrinkage once I launder the finished shorts.  I hate jeans with spandex in the them.  They seem like such a good idea but I always find they bag, sag and droop by the end of the day.  Hate that.

Finished before hemming

 Detail of front 

 Silver buttons from my stash

 I topped stitch with gold thread meant for jeans top stitching.

 I used this great blue and red gingham check for the pocket bags and waistband linings.

 Back view

These fit perfectly with no gaping at the waistband, no bag or pull at the seat or across the front at the fly.  They are easy to move and sit in.  I love them.  This pattern is definitely a keeper and worth doing up as long pants in a better fabric.

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I love this shirt!

I saw this shirt in the Madewell catalog.  Mint green does not appeal to me, but I love the color blocking.  I feel a me-made version coming on. 

Color blocking, classic shirt, Madewell.

My Liberty of London Tana Lawn Shirts

I bought some Liberty of London Tana Lawn.  This is not a trivial undertaking financially since it costs over $30 per yard.  So, even though I loved the fabric, I chose to only get 1 yard of 3 prints that I thought would go with bottoms I already own and make some simple summer tops out of them.

I decided on using a TNT pattern for two of the shirts the Grainline Studio Scout Woven Tee.  

I like the simple shape and the breeziness of the top.  I have made it previously in a slightly heavier white cotton with charcoal polka dots and wound up cutting down the sides for a sleeker fit to prevent the top from standing away from my body too much:.  On this previous version, I took out  about 3 inches at the bottom on the sides tapering up to nothing at the bust area.

This time I decided to leave the shirt less fitted and more floaty.  Here is the first Liberty Lawn shirt, a pink, red, green, and gray floral print:

You can see the fit difference on Lynntu.  I cut a straight size 8 this time based on my bust measurement.   The shirt is definitely less fitted and because the lawn is so light and airy it drapes nicely instead of standing straight out like the heavier fabric did.

On the second Liberty Lawn top, I decided to add a placket and buttons down the front.  I added 1 and 3/4 inches from the center front line on the pattern and used this as a simple turned in placket on the front.  So, 1/4 inch is turned under for the clean finish and then 1 inch is turned under to form the placket.  This means that the new center front is 1/2 inch from the old fold line and the buttons and button holes are now sewn on what was the fold line.  The second top is a larger scale, abstract floral in shades of aqua and blue.  I was lucky enough to have the bright blue buttons in my button box.  They are a perfect match!

For the third Liberty Lawn top, I did something different and used the Sewaholic Alma Blouse and combined views A and B.  I liked the collar, but decided to use the cap sleeves since my material was so limited.  

The third fabric was a vibrant pink floral, very feminine so I thought the more detailed and feminine Alma suited it better.

Because the Alma Blouse is designed for the pear shaped woman and I am most definitely not pear shaped, my hips and bust are the same measurement, I wound up having to do some alteration to make it suit my shape better.  I made darts at the waist in the front from just below the point of the bust to the hem.  I took in about 2 inches at the bottom of the shirt tapering to 1 inch at the waist and down to nothing just below the bust.  This got rid of the extra fabric that was hanging and flaring out in a rather unflattering peplum when I first tried it on.  I determine the size of the dart by pinning while I was wearing the top -- rather easy since the adjustment was in the front.  On the next Alma I make I will do this alteration flat before cutting .  Also, I will probably go down at least one size entirely.  I felt as though the upper body could fit better as well.  These are not criticisms of Tasia's pattern, they are the sorts of things you learn when you make a pattern from a new designer for the first time.  You learn about the wearing ease and the proportions of the pattern as they suit you.  You adapt and adjust and learn what to do for each company.  I am still in the learning phase for Sewaholic Patterns.

So, who is that in the background?  My sewing buddy, Palmer, a long haired Siberian Husky.  He hangs out and sleeps while I sew and try things on and do things he generally considers sort of boring.  Here is a better shot of the little guy wide awake and paying attention.

The other adjustment I made to the Alma Blouse was necessary because I didn't have enough fabric to make facings, so I winged it and finished the neckline with bias binding.  This also gives you a better shot of the pattern of the fabric.

I am very happy with my three shirts.  They will be most welcome during the warmer summer months.  Of course, here in Woodinville, that means at least 2 to 3 months or so from now.  Summers do not come early to the Puget Sound area.

One yard of Liberty Lawn

What can you make out of one yard of Liberty lawn?  Well, I have been working on that for the last couple of weeks and have 3 different answers.  I finished the last project today and will take pictures and post all 3 soon!

Last of the London Silk

I bought one last piece of silk in London in 2010.  It is an interesting swirling pattern in colors like an animal print would have, but it is not an animal print:

Looking a little shifty in this one. . .

Better 

You can see how the yolk extends to form the sleeves.

Again, I only bought 1.5 meters so I went with a very simple pattern to make a tunic to wear with leggings.  The pattern is Simplicity 2147 which is a Learn to Sew Pattern.  I thought the pattern instructions were super clear and the top very easy to fit and make.  Very appropriate for a beginner or, as in my case, an easy and fast make for an experienced seamstress.  I have worn this a couple of times now out for casually dressy occasions.  I love it.

You may also notice that I have cut all my hair off into a pixie cut.  I have done this transformation a couple of times in my life -- usually when I have lived with my hair long for awhile and remember but much effort it is to keep my fine, thick, curly hair under control when it is long.  We'll see how long it takes to me to forget that and start to grow it back.   

My Sewing Room

Where do you live and create?  We often talk about what we create and the finished product without any mention of where we live, where we sew or other activities in our worlds.  I wanted to invite you into our home for a bit and let you see a bit more about where I live and where I sew.

When we were looking for a house back in 2009, we were specifically looking at the homes on the market for several things.  Enough space without being huge, affordable (well, duh), dog compatible and with space for both my husband's office (he works from home) and space for my sewing and other craft stuff to reside.  We both decided that trying to cram my stuff into a space where my husband would work was beyond impractical -- it would have been insane!

Here is the house we bought:

Our house is on a wooded lot that is just over an acre in size with 3 BR and an office.  The BR are on the second floor, the office is on the first floor.  Perfect!  David has the office, I have one of the spare bedrooms!  When we moved in the room was less than inspiring.

The color was a yellow so pale and creamy it was nearly beige and some of the storage stuff I brought with me was pretty impractical in this new space.  I organized and lived with it until this year.  This was a year of upheaval since we remodeled our two upstairs baths.  We decided since we had already gone that far, there was no reason to not go ahead and paint my room too.  So, here it is!

The overall arrangement has the machines near the window for light and the storage unit is new from Ikea.  It is four bin storage systems piled together to make one large storage unit.

My sewing machine with table.

You can see the positioning near the window

My cover stitch machine and serger.

 Ironing board

 

View from my window.

I just finished making these covers.  I just could not resist the cute fabric I saw on the Nancy's Notions web site.

Better view of the bins, they are from the Trofast collection from Ikea.

Elfa shelves from The Container Store for more storage. And you can see Lynntu hiding in her usual place.  The bins with the green lids contain all my jewelry making supplies and beads.  My sewing thread storage is also visible at the lower left of the selves.  The spools are kept in clear storage containers made for thread and arranged by color.

I am so very happy with the warm peachy wall color and the warm terracotta trim.  This is a much happier place to create and spend time now.  I know that a lot of you don't have the space to create a room all your own for sewing -- I was the in the same boat for most of my life -- and I feel very lucky to have this room now.

Oh, and how did the baths turn out?  They both started out with pink tile and beige walls.  Here is the final results:

Master Bath

Hall Bath

Sewing Room

I have made some big improvements to the area where I sew since we moved into our house 3 years ago.  It was a a light, creamy yellow with white trim and rather sad looking when we moved in.  We recently remodeled our baths and during that upheaval we decided to paint that room as well -- what possible difference could a little more mess and moving stuff around make once you've already ripped the bathrooms apart down to the studs?  And, we put in a new closet organizer and bought me some higher quality storage pieces.  Once I have a chance to neaten the place up, I will take and post some pictures of my pretty new space!

Another Silk Top

This top is made from another of the silk pieces I picked up in London in 2011.  This one caught my husband's eye because he liked the colors and the geometric print.  Great eye!  I loved it too. Again since it was expensive, I bought 1 1/2 meters to make a short sleeve top.  I chose to make Butterick 5610 view A.  I made a size 12 without alteration.  I wanted the top a little longer so I tuck it in or wear a belt with it.

Back view

Front view

Front view with belt

A little closer front view with belt.

It is funny how the shirt coordinates so well with the doors in my sewing room!  I guess I really like that warm orangey color!

The Silk Blouse Finished!

This is the blouse I made from one of the pieces of silk fabric I bought while visiting London in 2011.  I only bought 1.5 meters so I made a short sleeved blouse.

I chose to make View A of New Look 6009.  The fabric was easily enough for the view and size chosen.  I cut the size 10 with no changes to the pattern.

The major problem with sewing this fabric was that it was SLIPPERY!  Very SLIPPERY.  I was able to do the sewing by pinning, but I had to be very vigilant that the layers were not going their separate ways during seaming.

This is a picture of my finished blouse on my dress form which I have affectionately named Lyntu.

Up close view of the "knotted" neck.  The knot is actually a slit in the center front seam that is then gathered and arranged artfully with the upper neckline and finished off with a small tube of fabric making it look like a knotted front.

I finished the seams using my serger with a  2-thread overlock stitch.  I thought the 2-thread option was the lightest finish and didn't distort or make the seam edges feel bulky compared to the lightness of the fabric.  As you can see, the gathers at the waste are created by a casing created with bias tape.

Back view of the blouse:

I had one pretty natural shell button that glistened gray, pink and blue that made the perfect finish for the back neck of the blouse.

All-in-all this was an easy pattern to cut and sew.  The only real challenge offered was from the material.

I look forward to wearing this soon.  I am hoping to take it on our trip to Las Vegas next month, weather permitting.