Peppermint Pocket Skirt and a Classic Tee

Hello, Hello!  I have been sewing some. I have been embroidering tons and I have been so bad on blogging and taking photo.,  I will try to do better from now on.

I have been sucked into an embroidery mystery quilt block of the year thing since Jan and some months are 8 blocks where some months are 16!! It has taken all my time I feel, and even though I love the outcome and I’m almost done, I don’t want to commit to such a big project again!  It just takes up way too much time.  Here is a sneak peek into what I have on that up to October (I warned you, it is a labor intensive piece, lol).

Now lets move back to sewing.

Pattern: Paper Theory – Peppermint Pocket Skirt This is my first time making this pattern, by the way, it’s FREE!

I was drawn to the cool pocket design.

I figured it would accentuate my already large hips, but I didn’t care, the skirt pattern looked cool.

Measurements at the time: Lower Waist: 39   Hip: 49

Size Sewn: Straight 20 – the pattern told me to make a size 22 but I sized down one due to the finished measurements list.

Date started: no idea. I think maybe Nov 22. Date finished: DECEMBER 6, 2022

I used 1.5” elastic in the waist, 33” long and overlapped 1” .  I used a 2” waistband height measurement and a 1.5” hem

I bar tacked the edges of the pockets and topstitched when 3 sides were sewn together, not when all 4 were in a loop. It was easier to topstitch most of it when it was flat and then just do the last one when it was a loop.

Fabric: A lovely Linen blend. I just barely squeaked this out of 2 yards. It is a Valori Wells fabric by Free Spirit called Jenaveve. My notes on it are:  FabricMart PRE-CUT SALE, 4 YARDS- Sangria/Pink/Tangerine/Coral Cotton/Linen Leaf Print Woven 56W, purchased Feb 2018 for $6.40 TOTAL. I miss those sales. And I just realized I have 2 more yards of this awesome fabric. :D

Thoughts: I love the look of the skirt; I do feel sort of large in it and I don’t know how to wear it. Do I wear it over my hormonal belly up on my natural waist? Or do I wear it down under that belly where I am comfortable?  Do I tuck in my shirt or do I leave it untucked? Do I tuck in and then pull some shirt out? So many questions.

I love the big pockets of the skirt and the fabric is so cute for fall.

I must add that the pattern did not give an elastic measurement for the waist. This kind of drives me nuts. I understand they want you to find your own measurement for it but give me a rough idea?

Thoughts:  I love the LOOK of the pattern.  I don’t know if I love the look on me. I also used a stiffer linen and I hope it softens up.  I’m not sure how to wear it, or what shirt to wear with it.  I like the evergreen color with the skirt, but that tank is way too small for me now (Jalie 3245 sewn 2017).  I just don’t know and now fall has become winter so I’m not sure how much wear it will get.  But I will keep it around because I seem to end up wearing things and loving them when I originally didn’t like them. Pattern: Love Notions – Classic Tee Made previously one other time: Navy Floral in 2020

Measurements at the time: High bust: 38.5  Bust: 42  Normal Waist: 36  Low Waist: 43  Hip: 48

Size Sewn: Bust/Waist Large and Hip XL, Scoop Neck with Short Sleeves Options

Alterations: Added ½” to backside of pattern to make more room for my hips and rear, this made the back piece 48 hip, front piece 46. I added 1” to the hem because I now have a hormonal belly to go over. I hemmed sleeve at ¾” not 1” because it would have been right up in the armpit with topstitching.

Date started: 9/24/23  Date finished: 9/26/23

Fabric: a Black Double brushed poly I had in my stash from who knows how long and where.  I tend to collect Black DBP whenever I find some cheap.  I like to have it around.

Thoughts: I love this top. It is classic, it fits well. I like it a lot. I needed a plain black tee in my wardrobe and this fit the bill perfectly. The shirt looked great with these pants!

(Turquoise pants are Jalie 3355 sewn 2020)

That’s it for today but I have lots more to blog, so stay tuned.

Happy Sewing! Kristin

Burda Style Top and Skirt (03/2017 #124 and 01/2009 #125)

Often I have spur of the moment thoughts about what I want to make. The fabric “speaks to me” or an outfit pops up in my mind – it gets stuck in my head, and I just have to make it. This outfit is one I envisioned and hoped it would come to light just as I dreamed up.

Let’s start with the skirt.

Pattern: BurdaStyle 03/2017 #124 Maxi Skirt with Side slits

Magazine description:  “A perfect last-minute piece! The skirt with slits along both sides has a casing at the waistline and contrasting coloured cord to draw it together. It is a comfortable choice for styling with many options.  And, it works with sneakers, too.”

Date Sewn: 08/28/2020

My measurements at the time: 31 waist, 45.5 hip

Size used: straight 48

Alterations: I used a 69” long drawstring instead of the 74” the pattern called for. I ended up with 34” long of the 1.5” wide elastic in the waist.  I could tighten it by an inch or so next time.

The pattern stated to add 1&5/8 “ to the hem but the skirt was so very long when I tried it on.  I ended up taking 2” off the hem and then folded up 1” and up 1” again to make the hem.  (The pattern states to turn 1” hem to the inside and then turn the edges under to half allowance width before stitching in place). So in all I took 3” total off what the magazine said for the hem length.  For reference, I am 5’7” tall.

Instructions:  They were actually good.  I had no issue following them or understanding what was asked to sew.

Fabric: 3 yards of a precut from FabricMart.  It says 100% cotton in the description but it is clearly made with some, if not all, polyester. It made that snapping sound under my needle, frayed like crazy, and just feels like polyester.  Pattern calls for 2.5 yards of fabric and I guess that could just barely work; I used the 3 yards I had and there was very little left over.  Black/White Swallow Polka dot print sateen shirting 100% cotton, is the description. I purchased it in Feb 2019 for $4.80 TOTAL so $1.60/yard? (The dots are actually tiny birds!).

close up of “dots”

Thoughts: This looks like such a simple skirt from the picture, but you have hip pockets, a drawstring to add, and awesome self facing slits on both sides of the skirt.  It took a bit longer to sew than I expected but it was enjoyable.  Everything came together nicely and all the pieces matched up perfectly. I would love to try to make it in a Challis like as the magazine suggests.

I made this skirt to go with the shirt below but I don’t like how they pair up after all.  So now I need to figure out what sort of shirt to wear with this skirt. I like the skirt and I can see myself wearing it often – I especially love those slits in both sides; however, the waist is a bit too big and I don’t know where it sits best on me – lower on my hips or at my actual waist.  Here are some pics of the two together.

And now for the top.

Pattern: Burda 01/2009 #125 “polo shirt” (I just have to say, the magazine calls this a polo shirt, maybe because of the placket? But to me a polo shirt has to have a collar as well, this to me is a t-shirt)

Magazine description:   “The fine jersey knit is pleasant to wear and lends this little top with polo fastening and short, puffed raglan sleeves a sporty look. And nothing can go wrong if you follow our illustrated sewing course in the sewing supplement.”

Date Sewn: 08/28/2020

My measurements at the time: High Bust 37, bust 39, waist 31, hip 45.5

Size used: I had to do some grading out on this top.  The magazine only goes 36-42 and I am a 44 bust/waist and 48 hip in Burda.  So I graded the pattern out to the 44 bust/waist and 48 hip. It wasn’t very hard to grade out these sizes as the pattern pieces are very straight forward.

Alterations: This pattern had you add 1.25” for the hem allowance but this shirt was crazy long on me.  I have sewn a decent amount of Burda patterns now and I don’t remember other ones being so long.  I took 2” off the hem and sewed a 1” hem.  In the future, I don’t need to add the hem allowance on this pattern.  After I was all finished it was too big in the bust so I went back and took it in from the sleeves/underarms/ through the bust and graded back out to 0 at the waist. This made the shirt sizing 42 for the sleeves/bust, 44 for the waist, and 48 for the hip.

Instructions:  This pattern is actually the “sewing course” for this issue.  I had no problems with the instructions.  Even with the placket, everything was explained well and there are great pictures for each step.

Fabric: At first I thought this was a wine colored double brushed poly from my stash, but it was an absolute bear to work with.  I sew with dbp all the time and have no trouble so I got really frustrated.  This fabric would not cooperate no matter what I tried.  I had to walk away from sewing this top for 2 days to settle my frustrations.  When I came back to the top, it finished up nicely.  I then looked at my fabric database and see it is a modal jersey.  It is soft and brushed like dbp, but much thinner, more fluid – refuses to hold an iron press.  I don’t think the placket lays well at the bottom because the fabric is so thin.  I love this top design, but I honestly despise this fabric.  I will remake it in a nicer jersey knit sometime.  Anyway, I used “cranberry knit activewear” modal/lycra jersey that I purchased from LDG textiles going out of business sale, in Aug 2019, for $2 for the yard.

Thoughts: I love the design.  The gathered neck and sleeve edges make for interesting details – they make this no ordinary t-shirt.  I actually do like how the placket looks in this design too – with proper fabric. Even though I dislike this fabric, once I put the top on it was so soft and comfortable that I just didn’t take it off! I made it to go with the above skirt, but I really don’t like the two together.   I like the placket and spent the time making the button holes all proper, attaching the buttons.  And then I realized when I was all done that I didn’t need to actually open the buttons to get the shirt on or off.  So if you make this, you can just sew the buttons right down over those button holes if you wanted to save time.  The magazine says to use snaps but I didn’t have any that matched so I went with real buttons. This top will go with many of my pants and shorts in my wardrobe though so it will get lots of wear.

I was taking my blog pictures like normal and Miss K decided to come in and make fun of me. After a bit of banter it turns out she wants to be my photographer.  So today’s pics are courtesy of Miss K. Here is my “what do you want?” pose.

Also, I dyed my hair this reddish color this month – for fall, because I was bored, and because I used to dye my hair all the time but haven’t in like 2 or 3 years.  I’m not sure if I like it or not.  I am a “cool” coloring and I think this shade might be too “warm” for me.  Oh well. It isn’t like I’m going anywhere!

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

Apostrophe and SALS Leggings plus another Chloe Maxi Skirt

I have an obsession with the Sew A Little Seam – Movie Night Pajama Leggings.  They are the most comfortable leggings I’ve ever made and I just can’t seem to stop making them! Here are the others I have sewn: blue floral and also olive floral

This time I made some using a red wine floral double brushed poly knit that was in a remnant/scrap bag. This one came from FabricMart.

Date Sewn: 09/16/19

My Measurements at that time: Waist 32, Hip 47.5

Size Sewn: Waist 16/18 and hip 20

Alterations: I used 32.5” of 1.5”wide elastic in the waistband. I like my bands to stay up and not droop.

I added 1” to the back rise, scooped 1/2” out of the back butt curve, and scooped 1/4” out of the front crotch curve.

Thoughts: I freaking love these. I have 2 other pairs in double brushed poly too and I just live in them.  They are super comfortable and like second skin. I’m sure I will continue to make more. If making the cropped version it is a great use of 1 yard of fabric. The only negative is that AFTER I sewed them all up I realized that there is a marker mark on the back leg. It is rather large and I think it’s 2 letters?  Maybe this is why it was in the remnant/scrap bag; but BOOOOOOO.  How terrible to not notice.

I also sewed another pair in cotton lycra. My plan was to make Christmas pajamas for the family out of this awesome snoopy knit.  But then I got super, super sick so the only thing I made was my leggings.

Date sewn: 11/21/19

My measurements at the time: Waist 32.5, hip 47.5

Size sewn: 16/18 waist and 20  hip

Alterations: I added 1” to the back rise, scooped 1/2” out of the back butt curve, and scooped the front crotch 1/2”.  Then I added 1/4” to the inseams at the crotch to thigh

Fabric: 1.25 yards of "Peanuts Christmas Knit Fabric-Blue” 95% cotton 5% spandex.  Purchased from JoAnn’s in Jan 2019 for $1.70 a yard!!! I bought 8 yards LOL.

Thoughts: These are great too, although cotton lycra is a little tighter than the double brushed poly I’m used to with these.  They are a bit snug and so when the fabric stretches you can see the white underneath the print.  I love them though.

In August I decided to jump on the bandwagon and try the new Apostrophe “My fit” leggings.  It is a great concept, although not new.  Lekalya Patterns and Bootstrap Fashion have done this for years.  You enter in your exact measurements and it spits out a custom pattern to your size and fit – well it is supposed to anyway.  The problem here is that adjustments are still needed so it’s not truly a custom fit right out of the gate. So warning, Apostrophe = catastrophe

Anyway, back to the leggings at hand:

Date sewn: 08/09/19

Size sewn: my custom fit (and I mean this loosely)

Alterations: the crotch curve on these was sooooo bad I about threw in the towel.  I was pissed at this point that I spent $12 on a pair of freaking leggings when I have amazing ones already I make with a free pattern.  I trudged on.  The front and back crotch curves needed 1/2” scooping.  The front crotch curve was too short so I added 3/4”; the waist was too loose. Also, since the front inseam is still too short my butt is eating the fabric as you can see in the pics.

Fabric: I was a fool and used this amazing luscious black yoga knit. It is brushed, and thick but not too thick and amazing.  I am pretty sure I grabbed it from knit pop but I really don’t remember.

Thoughts: as you can tell I was not pleased.  These fit terrible and I stand by my original statement that no one should purchases a leggings pattern for $12 when there are so many free ones out there that FIT better.  Am I bitter? yes, yes I am still bitter about it.

Here is a mashup of the 3 leggings from this post

In less exciting news I made myself ANOTHER Made for Mermaids – Mama Chloe Maxi Skirt You just cannot go wrong with a plain maxi skirt in your wardrobe.  Here are my other sews of this: in June 2019 a gray heather knit; and in Aug 2019 a turquoise heathered jersey

Date sewn: 09/15/19

My measurements at the time: Waist 32, hip 47.5

Size sewn: yellow

Alterations: added 2" to the height. Used green waist to yellow hip with my hip curve ruler #1-8 on it.  But then used the yellow waist at 6"x18" on the fold. I used 33.5" long waistband elastic in 1.5" wide

Fabric: 2.5 yards of some navy rayon something. It is soft like rayon but not too loose and drapey like rayon spandex so I’m not too sure.

Thoughts: Well, this is my 3rd make of this skirt and I love them all.  In the summer I enjoy just throwing one of these on and going about my day.