May Recap

What did I sew during the Merry Month of May?

Six pairs of Marrakesh pants.

1. one in heavy rayon suiting (from Fabrics R Us in San Jose via the stash).
2. one in a slate grey flannel (from the stash from somewhere). I honestly cannot remember how I acquired this fabric. My stash may be reproducing on it's own--it would explain all the lint I find in my apartment.
3. one in a green textured linen (from Elliot Berman, owned less than 2 weeks before cutting!). These are fun, because I used a quilting cotton in a US dollar print for the pockets and waistband lining--I'll always have money in my pockets!
4. one in wild burgundy and cream plaid, with a lime green line (from a Hancock Fabrics store closure, from the stash, and it's at least a year old). And yes, I matched the plaids on all the seams, including the center back seam which matches horizontally, but not vertically (because the plaid is uneven). I love these pants---they remind me of a pair of Perry Ellis plaid pants that I wore when I was in high school. I still have those pants--I'm never going to fit in them again, but just looking at them in my closet makes me smile.
5. one in a reddish-pink cottony/lineny blend. This pair of pants frays whenever I launder it-these pants are not going to last through the summer because the I didn't take the time to finish all the seams. The allowances are topstitched down, but the unfinished edges are going to erode away like a cliffside hit by ocean waves at high tide (from Fabrics R Us, owned less than 1 week before cutting).
6. one embroidered khaki linen/cotton blend (from Happy Stop, owned less than 1 week before cutting). A fun neutral color, but the embroidery makes it a little more special than the plain khaki pants that are all over Silicon Valley.

After sewing six pairs of these pants, I can sew this pattern from memory, including the fly zipper. Sewing the Marrakesh pattern from memory doesn't mean that I didn't make mistakes, but I was able to catch them and fix them before they went too far. Regarding zippers: I watched the Threads/Sandra Betzina video a few times while I was sewing the first two pairs, but last night when I pulled out my pattern for the BWOF 402 pants (I need to have more trousers in my wardrobe rotation), I didn't hesitate to put in the zipper for muslin. I must have been upset when I last tried sewing the 402 pants, as I found the pattern all crumpled up. Luckily, Swedish tracing paper irons very well.

More sewing--Four Sunshine tops:

1. one in purple & white stretch (rayon & lycra?) fabric from Michael Levine Loft (purchased in February 2010.
2. one in a brown tribal cotton lycra (from an online coop, via the stash, at least 1 year old). This may be too informal for work, but it's great to wear on weekends
3. A combination of a black rayon/lycra and a remnant of black/red/white/beige stretch lycra (from Happy Stop, at least 3 years old). Definitely suitable for work.
4. A black and white small/geometric stretch lycra, from a BABES exchange, I think (age unknown). I debated using a solid color for the collar and I elected not to. I think that was not the best decision. The result is a very busy looking shirt. I'll wear it a couple of times before I decide if it's a pass/fail.

I can understand why this pattern is so popular--it's a great/fashionable shirt that got a little more going on than a simple t-shirt--its very flattering. But it's easy to sew.

And I made two other tops:

1 Simplicity 4076 (the simple t-shirt) made from a red and white chain-link patten (from Gorgeous Fabrics from about 4 years ago, via the stash). Definitely suitable for work. I like it because it's bright.

1 Burda 7970 T-shirt, made from a Gustav Klimt cotton lycra from Fabrix (owned less than 2 weeks before cutting). Very suitable--I wore it today. It might be better for Fall/Autumn, but I really like the rich colors.

1 Simplicity 2614. This is a pullover top (made from a woven) and it's custom fit pattern (A-D cups). Another plus is that it doesn't require buttonholes. Laura--thank you bringing this pattern to my attention. I made two muslins, the second one in a clearly defined striped shirting, which didn't seem to work. The back and lower front is cut on the bias (which is why you can pull it on over your head) and the stripes just look awkward. I think that a small scale pattern (floral or checks) will work better. I did pull some fabrics out of the stash for this project, but I got busy with other patterns.

I also have one garment which hasn't quite reached UFO status--one pair of McCall's shorts--I need to re-cut the waistband, and attach that. It's been sitting at my cutting table for 2 weeks.

I also went through part of my fabric and notion stash (I'd get overwhelmed if I went through ALL of it). I pulled out and re-folded some of my knits and stretch fabrics, selecting some for the different t-shirts tops that I planned on sewing (but I didn't get around to sewing ALL of them LOL!). I also went through my stash of interfacing, and I think that I'm set for the next few years, unless someone figures out a way to make garments completely out of interfacing. *smile*

There was a meme travelling around the blogosphere --Me-Made-May*. I followed along, trying to wear clothing that I had made (of course, I didn't take any pictures). I had problems on Fridays--we have casual Fridays at work, and while I have made some jeans, I just don't like the way they fit. So one of my upcoming projects is to make another pair of jeans (or pants from denim), so I have something to wear on Fridays.

*There will be a follow up in the Fall, Self-Stitched September, so maybe I'll try to participate in that.

My Tried and True Sewing Patterns

While going through my stash this weekend, I realized that I have several tried and true sewing patterns. In no particular order:

1. KwikSew 2723. This envelope contains patterns for a sleeveless fitness top, fitness shorts (short and longer lengths) and fitness pants (one seam on the legs, plus the crotch). I have made all three of these patterns, and I have altered them for my body. I like the top because it's sleeveless and it features a Y-back, so the straps will not fall off my shoulder. As with all my fitness tops, I skip the bust-lining (built-on bra), as I will always wear a fitness bra underneath. I also lengthened the pattern by about 3 inches--I can 't stand having a bare midriff. I have made the tops from buttermilk fabrics, mesh, cotton. I use lingerie/picotee elastics instead of casings for the neckline and armholes--I find it much faster to sew. I have made the pants once--they were not a favorite. I think that they were too loose and shapeless. The shorts are my go-to pattern for fitness clothing--but I have lengthened them to capri length and ankle length. The shorts do not have side seams--they have front panel seams and an elastic waist. I made the shorts once, but I'm not really a shorts person. I think that that really like the design because there isn't a front crotch seam so I don't bet a camel toe when I wear them
2. Kwik Sew 3115. This pattern has been reviewed upteen million times on Pattern Review. make the yoga pants, which have a side seam, when I need a longer pair of dance pants. I've made these pants in cotton lycra and stretch velvet (luxurious!) . I have not had any success with the tops--I've made the camisole and the tank top several times . I can't get them to look good--I probably need to make a FBA, but right now it's easier to buy camisoles from Target or Costco and the Kwik Sew 2723 works for sleeveless tops.
3. Kwik Sew 3567. This is a close-fitting raglan sleeve top with side panels. When I need a fitness top with sleeves, I use this pattern. I use all sorts of stretch fabrics for this pattern: mesh, cotton lycra, rayon/poly lycra.
4. Burda 7970. My t-shirt pattern--when I need a top suitable for work, and I don't have time, I pull out this pattern. I have raised the neckline and have drafted an FBA. It fits well and I can make this pattern practically in my sleep.
5. Kwiksew 2527. I use the pattern for socks and the hat (view c). My apartment is very drafty and cold in the winter. I wear fleece socks and hats in the winter to keep warm at night. I can wear the fleece sock all winter (and surreptiously dust the floors) and toss them in the spring. If you head gets cold at night while you sleep, I recommend wearing a hat--it can make a real difference.
6. BWOF 09-2005-129. In my quest to create a TNT pants pattern, I have created a great draft for these pants. I've made 4 versions, including two that are now at Goodwill Industries. I have a comfy pair in dark grey corduroy, another pair in a grey cotton blend (with lycra) and another pair in denim. I don't have any with the fun seaming (those went to Goodwill), but I do consider this a tried and true pattern, as I would not hesitate to sew these again.
7. Jalie 2787. No, I'm not nursing. I like the criss cross top, and I like the tunic length.
8. BWOF 01-2008-116. This is a wrapover top that didn't make it into the Burda envelope patterns. I love it. I had to alter it to raise the neckline, and it has ridiculously long bands, but when I wear it, I feel like I'm being hugged.
9. BWOF 08-2006-104. This is a pullover top that I wear as a sweater. I have made this out of sweater knits, a patterned chenille, and a burnout velvet. It' s great--I can put it on over a t-shirt and it's a great new look. I think that it was available as a Burda envelope pattern, but it appears to have been dropped from the catalog. I had to scale this up from a size 44 and I was not able to raise the neckline. I'm very proud of this top, as it was one of the first Burda World of Fashion patterns that I ever made.