An experiment in how jeans fit - a lesson learned

A short time ago I woke up one morning and did the usual, checked Facebook before even getting out of bed.  I was quite shocked to find a screenshot off MY blog of MY Ginger Jeans posted by someone else.  This person stated that she couldn’t understand why I was so happy with the fit and that they fit terrible.  Some people in the group proceeded to pick apart all the things wrong with my body and my fit.

Totally rude and unacceptable.  I was shocked, hurt, and then angry as hell.  How dare she belittle me and steal my photo.  I typed up a comment stating it was my photo and asked her to take the post down; which she did – or an admin did, I don’t know.  She never apologized and that is the reason I’m still stewing inside over it.  It hurt, and it made me question my sewing, and my body. 

SO, I decided to do a little experiment.  To prove to myself that sewing my own things is something I should continue.   I have 4 pairs of pants in a collage below.  3 are ready to wear, store bought. 1 is self sewn.  They all have their fit issues; the pants do, not my body. My body just needs the pants to be adjusted. Some look good in some areas, some in others; none are perfect.

A different layout to see the fit differences better

Pair 1: Levi’s Curvy Bootcut; size 14.  The waist actually fits pretty nice (shocking since store jeans never fit me in the waist).  The jeans are thin and I feel like they look “bumpy” on my body because they are so thin.  They are ok, the material is not soft like the rest, but it’s not scratchy either. slightly loose.

Pair 2: Lee No Gap Waistband Curvy Fit Bootcut Jeans; size 16. The waist gaps even though it has a built in elastic part.  The elastic waist part makes me feel itchy (allergic to latex and sensory issues).  The fabric is nice, thicker, soft.  I like how they look in the front and side.  I can’t get past the waist. not loose, not tight, I like how they feel in snugness.

Pair 3: Gap Curvy Flare; size 14.  They no longer make these, they are my favorite RTW jeans.  They feel nice when I wear them, but I constantly have to pull them up.  I love the hip hugging and flare, the material is soft. After time they get really baggy in the butt and slightly baggy everywhere.

Pair 4: Ginger Jeans, modified flare; size 12 waist and on the front pant size 14 hip, the back pant 18 hip.  These feel the best on me, like they hug me just right. Are their still fit issues? sure. But I don’t really care to be honest.  The material on these is so soft.  snug and hugging.


The people that I care about, my amazing sewing friends that follow my blog, know I struggle deeply with health issues.  I have certain fit issues I just don't care to address - I put my energy into what I feel is important. 

So to the lady that put my body on blast without my permission – shame on you.

And to everyone else, the real people that matter, I will continue sewing.  I enjoy it even when it hurts, even when it sucks out all my energy.  I love the hobby and I love the community.  I love seeing all the things my sewing friends make!

I learned quite a bit from this experience.  We need to be less critical of our sewing makes.  I am horribly critical when I make something; time for that to change. Ready to wear doesn’t fit perfectly either!  Our sewing makes will almost always fit us better than anything store bought.  And if they don't, well then we learn, change the pattern, and grow from it!  It's still a fun experience. 

(Also, thank you so much Shirley for being such a great friend to me that day; you were there for me when I most needed a friend). 


Onward my sewing friends!

Kristin

Sewing Stats for 2015

Yay! My favorite time of year! I love seeing my sewing stats and reading about everyone else’s!
I’ve been keeping up on a spreadsheet this year and it tells me I sewed a total of 173.75 yards of fabric and $910.01 worth of material!



It’s no surprise to me that MissK and I dominate this category.  However, I was quite surprised to see that I made 61 things for myself this year and 60 for MissK.  One of my goals was to sew more things for me and I am glad I reached that goal. 



I’m not surprised at all that Jalie and Ottobre dominate my sewing pattern usage.  This next year I would like to sew more from the Big 4 as well as Burda patterns.




Another thing that doesn’t surprise me is that I sewed mainly with Jersey fabrics.  I decided to lump together Cotton Lycra, Rayon Jersey, and Poly Spandex.  I just love sewing with knits and all of us love to wear them.



This chart surprised me a bit as I thought that tops would have been a much higher percentage; also, I didn’t realize I sewed so much underwear! lol.  My goal this next year is to work on more pants and dresses.



Can you believe I sewed 29 things in December!  I was very surprised at that.  Taking the month off in November really helped me get my mojo back.  Other than December, I am pretty consistent each month in sewing about 11 things.

So.  Looking forward. 
I hope to remain consistent with my sewing.  I want to sew more patterns from the Big 4 and from my Burda magazines.  I will continue to sew more for myself.  I will work on sewing more pants (jeans) and dresses too. I'm not going to make any set resolutions this year.  I won't be going on a fabric diet or a pattern restriction.  I'll join contests as they align with what I'm sewing.  I want 2016 to be less stressful so I'm not going to place any limits or goals upon myself.  How about you? Was 2015 a good year for you?  What do you hope 2016 brings?

Goodbye 2015 and Hello 2016!!   May this year be a great one for all of you!

November Recap 2015

November recap?  "But you haven't posted anything in November?"

You are right about that.  I enjoyed taking the month off and spending time with the kids.  I also worked on remodeling the upstairs of our house; and we were busy with all sorts of holiday things.

I have sewn some things, but they are yet to be blogged.   But I'll be blogging like normal again December and forward.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (if you celebrate that sort of thing)!


~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

October Recap 2015

Wow I made a lot of items in October!  I’m happy I was able to make so many things for me.  Though not everything turned out to be a success, I had fun learning along the way.

17 items, 22.25 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $107.52

How did I do for October with my resolutions?
1 new pattern: yes, 12 total new patterns used
1 new Burda/Otto pattern for me: yes, 3
1 fabric stash used: 1.5 yards
1 me make each month in 2015: yes, I really went all out for me makes this month with 9 total!

~Happy Sewing!~
Kristin

September Recap 2015

This was a much slower month for me on the sewing front.  I took a break at the beginning, not wanting to burn myself out before the Fabricista Fashion Challenge started.  Plus, I’ve been so focused on the challenge that I haven’t blogged about much else!   Here is a quick recap of the 3 things I made this month.  (I have 6 other makes that are still unblogged)

3 items, 10.5 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $23.72 (I didn’t count the price of the skirt to remake to dress because I counted it already when I made the original skirt)   
          
How did I do for September with my resolutions?
1 new pattern: yes, 2
1 new Burda/Otto pattern for me: sadly not this month
1 fabric stash used: 3 yards
1 me make each month in 2015: yes, 2!

Actual Sewing Time spent on these September makes: 10.5 hours

August Recap 2015

21 items (which includes a lot of underwear), 24.25 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $117.48

How did I do for August with my resolutions?
1 new pattern: yes, 6
1 new Burda/Otto pattern for me: yes, a Burda Skirt
1 fabric stash used: yes, 3 measly yards of stash used
1 me make each month in 2015: yes, 4 things for me

And on to Fall!

July Recap 2015

11 items, 18.5 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $83.05
How did I do for July with my resolutions?
1 new pattern: yes, 5
1 new Burda/Otto pattern for me: sadly no, but I used a few of the Big 4 this month. (Technically I have a Burda skirt in progress but it is not quite finished yet)
1 fabric stash used: yes, 4.75 yards total (I’m embarrassed to tell you how many yards came INTO my house this month…)
1 me make each month in 2015: yes, 4 things for me

June Recap 2015

 

10 items, 13 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $77.39

 

How did I do for May with my resolutions?

1 new pattern: yes, the Ottobre Tank

1 new Burda/Otto for me: yep, the tank
1 fabric stash: yes, 3 yards
1 me make each month in 2015: yes, June was a total me-make month! 8 things for me

May Recap 2015

May came and went really fast!  I have been working hard on a shorts muslin that has made my eyes cross these last couple weeks!

10 items (including 2 wadders, 1 not shown), 7 and 5/8 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $44.39

How did I do for May with my resolutions?
1 new pattern: yes, the kwik sew for K and the Jalie tanks
1 new Burda/Otto for me: didn't happen this month, I need to make this a priority
1 fabric stash: yep, 4 yards of it!
1 me make each month in 2015: yes, I managed 4 makes, 2 of them wadders.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

April Recap 2015

A Quick Recap of the month

11 items, 11 and 5/8 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $64.81

How did I do for April with my resolutions?

1 new pattern: yes, the kwik sew for K
1 new Burda/Otto for me: didn't happen this month, I need to make this a priority
1 fabric stash: yes! 5.25 yards
1 me make each month in 2015: yes, 1, but it was sorta meh

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

March Recap 2015

10 items, 14 and 1/8 yards of fabric. Total fabric cost $79.23

How did I do for March with my resolutions?

• 1 new pattern: Sort of. I was not able to get the Skater to work for me before so I'll consider this success a new pattern ;-)
• 1 new Burda/Otto for me: didn't happen this month
• 1 fabric stash: yes! 6 and 5/8 yards!
• 1 me make each month in 2015: yes! 3

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Feb 2015 Recap

February was all about the active wear.
I did sew some other things up but have not yet blogged them.
My annual Feb cold has hit. So I am a bit under the weather, nothing serious.
My last class started two weeks ago too.
And the puppy.... oh that puppy. Sigh.

8 items, 8.25 yards of fabric. total cost of fabric $57.16

How did I do for Jan with my resolutions?
1 new pattern: yes, 2!
1 new Burda/Otto: didn't happen this month
1 fabric stash: yes! 5.25 yards!
1 me make each month in 2015: yes! 4

Let's hope March brings some warmer weather!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Year in Review: 2014

As the new year starts to roll in, I look back at what I've accomplished this past year.

Items:
96 items sewn up this year!
Miss K acquired the most with 51, Me at 22, poor Mr. T at 13, and crafts/gifts were only 10.

Fabrics:
Stash from 2013 and before sewn up this year: 50.5
Fabric Yards purchased in 2014: 200.75
Yards sewn/sold/gave-away in 2014: 218.25

Favorite makes for each of us:
Me:
December - Elephant Renfrew. It wears so nice and comfortable and I love how it looks. K tells me I need to stop wearing it so much... oops.

 December - Jalie Pants. Same as the renfrew, it is so comfy to wear these, but they pilled in one wash so I will have to remake. Fabric has already been purchased ;-)

Miss K: It is hard to pick only 2 for this girl. I really love some of her makes this year.
May/June - Jalie Swim top and shorts. This suit is the best fitting K has ever had and it has really held up to swimming all summer long.  We both love it. She is needing a bigger size now and I still have to make one for myself.

July - Red Sundress, McCall's M6948. I love the long maxi look of this dress and K is smitten with it as well.

Mr. T:
July - Vintage PJs, McCall's 3041. The look of these is awesome. Sewing them was fun. T likes them. I smile whenever he wears them.

August - unblogged Jalie 3242 Boxer Briefs.  They are just too cute!

Least favorite makes for each of us:
Me:
March - Kwik Sew 3342 Pajama set. The shorts never made it past the first day because they were really weird and the top was just uncomfortable. The elastic made me itch and it was short.

December - Darcy Boxer shorts. These were too big and poofy.  Not my style.

Miss K:
March - Oliver +S Hopscotch Skirt. K did not like this make at all.  It looks awkward on her and is poofy in all the wrong places. It is cute on the hanger though.

December - Ottobre Frozen top 1/2 knit, 1/2 cotton woven. K hated this top with the mixed fabrics and middle rolled hem.  I was able to change it up to all knit in the end but she claims this was her least favorite of all year.

Mr. T: none! He liked all of his makes this year :)

Resolution for 2015:

• Start using my pattern stash. 
• I will sew at least 1 new pattern each month.
• Start using up my magazine stash.
• I will sew at least 1 new Burda or Ottobre each month
• Use more fabric stash - don't buy as much new.
• I will use at least 1 fabric from stash each month.
• Sew more for me.
• I will sew at least 1 make for me each month.

There you have it,

1 new pattern, 

1 new Burda/Otto, 

1 fabric stash, and 

1 me make each month in 2015 

That is what I resolve to do. 

So, how did your year turn out?  What were your favorite makes? Did you sew as much as you planned on this year?  Do you plan any new resolutions for the new year?
Also,

I wanted to thank you for following me, viewing my makes, commenting on my posts.  It means so much to me and I love being part of this wonderful sewing community.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Recap Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec

I have failed on my end of the month recaps the last few months here so I wanted to include them before the end of the year.   I like these recaps because they help me to see that what I sew is worn, how well things are liked, what didn't work.  I like to see the whole month at a glance.

Sept/Oct I was very sick so not much was made.

November things started to pick up again. Yay for me sewing!

And I was really busy in December!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

July Recap 2014

The months are just flying by!  July has come and gone. I have gone through all the kids clothes and it makes me sad to see how much they have outgrown.  Mr. T doesn't have a single pair of jeans now and Miss K outgrew an entire laundry basket full of dresses, tops, and bottoms. August will be spent on school clothing preparations as well as trying to finish up my Summer Sewing Plans.

Here are my makes for the month of July

And I thought it would be fun to include a photo collage of what fabrics I purchased and received in July

The wilderness one is 1.5 yards of flannel for T's pj shorts.  Orange Koi, Black Pie Man, Blue Mouse & Cookies, and Purple Bunny Tea are all from Sweet n' Charmed Facebook group and are knits (I LOVE them all, omg).  The white "nursery" flannel is for K's pjs.  The multi colored vines are for a dress for K and the purple pac man is a French Terry for K. Yardage totals 11.5 yards


And my fabric ins and outs totals are here:
July Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 4.75 yards
Fabric Out: 10 yards
Fabric In: 11.5 yards

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 35.75 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 129.5 yards
Fabric in 2014: 141.25 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

June Recap 2014

I am happy to report that the Thurlows fit wonderfully now and are coming along perfectly :D  I just have the waistband, belt loops, and cuffs to finish.  I'm shooting for tomorrow afternoon.  It has been an interesting couple of days over here.  Part of Sunday was spent in Urgent Care because hubs put a rusty nail through his foot. :(   He is feeling a bit better today but still has a sore foot and a sore arm (from the tetanus shot). Last night I needed to get to bed early to take my mom to the airport at 6am, but Mr. T had other plans for me by projectile vomiting all over the living room at 2am. Oh the joys.

However, today  has been one of the best days EVER because my flat of strawberries came in :D  8 quarts! (though I wish I had gotten 16 now).  I will be trying my hand at canning for the first time this year - wish me luck!  Anyway I've been hopping and dancing around the house singing a made up song about strawberries being heaven on Earth and filling myself with them.  (As someone with major medical issues and major food sensitivities, I'm so glad I can still eat strawberries painlessly!)

So on to the June Round-up. Woah, June is over? It went too fast.

3 tanks, 1 undie, 1 skirt, and 1 swimsuit.  Full speed ahead to July :)  Which reminds me, I need to get a list made for the kids school wardrobe needs.

June Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 3 yards
Fabric Out: 4.5 yards
Fabric In: 24.25

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 31 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 119.5 yards
Fabric in 2014: 129.75 yards

*** OH! And I need to try to help spread the word *** Molly over at Toferet's Empty Bobbin is taking about a Minnesota Meet-up, so head over and read the post!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

May Recap 2014

May makes include some things unblogged. Top L to R: Jalie 3242 undies for K; Ottobre 03/2014 #30 Flycatcher Tunic; more Jalie 3242 undies for K (she now will not wear store underwear, lol); Ottobre 06/2011 #37 shorts in Agent P, and Bart Simpson; Ottobre 06/2012 #22 cami as nightgown in Puppies,
and also in Kitties.  Jalie 3023 swim tank for K, and Ottobre 03/2011 #19 Tee as requested for K's BFF, so they can match, but her's in purple.

I am SO ready for June to be here. The kids need to be done with school already!

May Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 1 yards
Fabric Out: 18 yards
Fabric In: 28

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 28 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 115 yards
Fabric in 2014: 105.5 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

March Recap 2014

March makes include: O+S Hopscotch skirt, Jalie PJ shorts, Ottobre dress, Kwik Sew PJ set, Burda tank, and a Kwik Sew shirt.  There is also a test pattern I sewed in March but I can't share yet ;-)
Everything in March was from stash except the oranges dress.  I call that a successful month!

I hope to focus more on me-made things for the month of April, we will see how that goes ;-)


March Totals:
Stash used: 5 yard
Fabric Out: 24 yards + 11 scrap pounds
Fabric In: 20.5 yards

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 18 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 78 yards!
Fabric in 2014: 75.5 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

February Recap

Here is a quick recap of the month.

Feb Totals:
Stash used: 4.5
Fabric out: 43
Fabric in: 34


Yardage Totals for the year to date:
Stash sewn this: 13
Fabric out 2014: 54
Fabric in 2014: 55


~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

January Recap

In keeping up with last year's tradition. Here is my recap of January.

We will keep the number tally simple this year.

Makes: 5
Yards used: 8.5 (all from stash)
Total Yards in: 21
Total yards out: 11


~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~