First Fitting of the Capris

I basted the inner, outer and crotch seams for the first fitting. Overall, it's better than I anticipated. I expected them to be "tighter" rather than "looser".

The waistband is not on nor are the gathered insets, so I'm kind of holding them in place while taking pics in the mirror!!! Good think I'm a mom and used to tackling tasks requiring eight arms instead of two.

It seems good through the waist and the sides, but baggy at the back, just below my seat. The pattern is described as "semi-fitted". Now, I admit that when I wear pants, it's usually "skinny" styled jeans so I'm not certain how much room these are supposed to have back there. Based on the illustration, it doesn't look like a "loose" style. However, I don't want these to fit like skinny jeans.

I don't think they're too far off. Time to consult my fitting books and sewing friends. Comments and suggestions about anything are most welcome!! i.e. style, fit, etc.

Yay, I'm on my way!

Expanding My Horizons

For a long time, I've wanted to make pants but I've been chicken. There, I said it. One of the reasons I've loved dresses and skirts so much is that they are easier to fit and camoflage BTS: Big Thigh Syndrome. Making your own is the obvious solution to having good fitting and flattering pants.

However, herein lies the oxymoron with BTS and good fitting pants you make yourself: you have to figure out how to actually get them to fit. It's likely more than just "adding a little extra" to the outside seam...

So hop aboard and join me on my journey of my first pair of pants. They are not from a vintage pattern, but I hope you agree that they are cute. I really wanted to do View B with the ruffle but I don't have the right fabric on hand (how this can be with a stash to exceed life expectancy is beyond me). So I'm doing View C with the gathering. I think it's a great detail that adds some punch to a simple (and hopefully easy) design.

I'm using a cotton/linen blend with a chevron stripe design that's woven in. I envision the completed and PERFECTLY fitted capris matched with a simple tshirt and these cute Eric Micheal slings that are dupioni silk.

Cutting the fabric begins now!

Jacket is Finished

I finished the jacket!

I'm sorry that I've not blogged as I've gone along. I managed to catch a bug (I think a mild case of flu) while on the cruise and was under the weather for three weeks, and subsequently run down going into Christmas.

Nevertheless, I've thrown myself into sewing. Overall, I'm very pleased with the jacket. I love the wool, from Emma One Stock and the construction was pretty straightforward.

There are a couple of things worth mentioning about the pattern. First, the collar/shoulder sections match really well. Just be sure to take your time cutting and marking accurately and you WILL be rewarded. Do NOT mistake the front facing "stitch-and-slash" for a dart!!! Ask me how I know that you should NOT make this error... I spent over an hour scratching my head wondering why the collar facing didn't match up to the facing.

Also, the lining is short and the top of the jacket hem shows. This irks me because I was very careful cutting. My advice is to cut the lining longer; you can always trim excess rather than being left short.

I love everything else about this jacket. It's not hard-core winter wear but perfect for autumn, mild winter and early spring days!

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