M4M Mila shorts, P4P Palazzos, Pegleg shorts, & Mama Jogger Shorts

Pattern: Made For Mermaids Mila Shorts

Date Started: 01/02/21

Date Finished: 01/02/21

My Measurements at the time: waist 32.5” and hip 46.5”; pants waist 39.5” (now: waist 31, hip 45)

Size Sewn: Waist green and Hip yellow

Alterations: 1/2” butt curve scooped out (common for me). I sewed the faced waist option and added 33” of 1/4” elastic to the top of the faced waist; I really love this option. Having the 1/4” elastic in the waist keeps these shorts up all day long but is soft enough that it doesn’t aggravate my stomach.

Fabric: Double Brushed Knit Prints Floral Navy Blue/Red/Pink/Orange/White, purchased 06/17/20 from fabric.com for $5.38/yard so $4.04 total for the shorts.

Thoughts: I love these shorts!!! They fit amazing. They feel amazing. They are super comfortable. I lived in these after my surgery and wish I had made 6 more pairs to get me through a week of them. I love them and will definitely make more. I can’t wait to try the pants option too! (since I lost 35lbs since I made these, they are loose on me now. I will have to size down and make more! Blue shirt is now, Gray shirt is before). These are very, very similar to the new Jalie Sylvie pants pattern. (spoiler: I absolutely LOVE that pattern). Pattern: Patterns for Pirates Palazzo Pants Sewn before: green/black plaid shorts in 2017, teal shorts in 2017, and black shorts in 2017

Date Sewn: 02/21/2020

Size Sewn: Size L at the waist to XL hips down.

Alterations: I scooped out 1/2” from the back butt curve

Fabric: a navy liverpool knit I bought forever ago at the Hancocks going out of business sale July 2016. I got this for 75 cents a yard!!! I bought all the 6 yards they had. Its a fun fabric, soft on the inside, sort of squishy and plush but not hot to wear.

Thoughts: LOVE these pants! Love this pattern. It sews fast. It feels great to wear them. They are all about comfort and that is me for sure. If I had to change one thing its that the yoga waistband gets looser as the day goes on so I am constantly pulling up my pants. I usually add elastic in my bands to hold them up.

Pattern: Patterns For Pirates Pegleg Shorts Sewn before: Green plaid in 2017, Plain Pink in 2017, Plain Black in 2015 Date Sewn: 06/08/2017 yes, 2017. I have never gotten around to blogging these.

Size Sewn: Low rise 1X size with side panels and phone pocket

Alterations: I lowered the butt curve 1/2” I need to make the waist smaller and lower the crotch curve in front next time.

Fabric: a slippery purple almost swim like poly spandex. It swishes when I walk

Thoughts: I’ve sewn peglegs a few times and I liked them (But I don’t really wear them anymore because my size has changed and I have found other patterns I like better– ottobre, and sew a little seam). These shorts I thought were good in idea. I like the length and the pocket options. I like them off my body. When I wear them the fabric is the issue. The fabric is uncomfortable and a weird form of slippery but scratchy at the same time. It swishes when I walk and I can’t handle that noise. I never wore these shorts after they were made. I have used them the last 4 years as a cover on my cable box at night to block the awful clock light on it. They would probably be great shorts in a different fabric and I may try again someday. This pair ended up a wadder unfortunately. bad fabric choice. Pattern: Patterns For Pirates Mama Joggers as shorts Date Sewn: 06/03/2017 another make that never made it to the blog, but is now

Size Sewn: M waist, XL hip, XXL Thigh - I sewed low rise, slat pockets options

Alterations: lowered the butt curve 1/2”

Thoughts: Well, I made them in 2017, and they were never blogged and never worn. I didn’t even finish hemming them. My notes say that I need less hip curve and more waistband length. Honestly I think this was a case of poor fabric choice for this pattern. The fabric is a coral cotton lycra that is pretty heavyweight and doesn’t stretch as far as normal C/L. It squishes and compresses instead of being comfortable. If I made these out of a different fabric I am sure they would be a lot better. This pair? Wadder, thrown in the trash after these pictures. I’ve held onto them long enough. They aren't getting any better as they age.  Plus, as with the pegs above, I've got other jogger patterns that I made and really love Ottobre, Burda, and even Greenstyle Brassies. 

Photo below from 2017. I’ll try again someday, maybe.

Life Update:  I realize I am completely out of my mind.  We put in an offer on a house and it got accepted!! We are moving!!! And.... during my brain radiation.... 6 mo after my brain surgery..... I'm completely nuts. There is so much to do and I'm still so dizzy and exhausted and not better.  But we wanted to move for a long time now (yes, we moved 3 years ago but it wasn't the right neighborhood or house for us).  Wish me luck!  Now I'm trying to get our house ready to show and sell. Whew!

Thanks for reading!!

Kristin

Tops tops tops! Love Notions & Jalie

Pattern: Love Notions ~ Classic Tee

Date sewn: 12/08/20

My measurements at the time: 40 bust, 32 waist, 46 hip

Size Sewn: Bust/waist in Large, Hips in XL

Alterations: 1/2” forward shoulder adjustment

I made the scoop neck, short sleeve version

Fabric: Amazing fabric. It was love at first sight. It is a Double Brushed Poly Jersey Knit Floral Navy/Red Fabric; fiber content is 96% Polyester/4% Lycra Spandex. I purchased it August 2019 from Amazon/fabric.com for $6.38/yard. I used 1 yard for this tee. I used the other 2 yards of this fabric for my much loved Miss Ruby Tuesday Dress in 2020.

Thoughts: Love the fabric. I like the tee. Its a bit big on me now that I lost so much weight but its not overly big. I enjoy the room it gives. I am now a size smaller and may make another but this one is still a great wear. It is the ultimate comfort tee.

Pattern: Love Notions ~ Laundry Day Tee

Date sewn: 02/06/21

Sewn before: black tunic tee in 2017, Aqua floral tank in 2019

My measurements at the time: 40 bust, 32 waist, 46 hip

Size Sewn: Bust/waist in Large, Hips in XL

Alterations: 1/2” forward shoulder adjustment, shirt length, tee option

I added the doxie graphic with my silhouette cameo. I love my Mr. Cheeto so much. He’s my soul.

Fabric: Turquoise Triblend jersey knit, $5/yard purchased May 2017 from knitpop. I used only about 1 yard for this top I think, maybe 1.25 yards. I didn’t write it down sadly.

Thoughts: I like it a lot. I don’t think I love it. The fabric is soft and flows but its not as drapey as a double brushed poly. The jersey is a little stiffer. Its like, not love. I do love the graphic though! I feel like the shirt may be a bit too big for me now that I lost so much weight. It’s sorta poofy on the bottom hip area.

Pattern: Jalie ~ Beatrice 4135 Tank

Date sewn: 08/10/20

My measurements at the time: Bust 39, Waist 32, Hip 46

Size Sewn: X for bust/waist, grading to an AA for the hip

Alterations: none! I pattern tested for this top and I didn’t make any adjustments.

Fabric: Double brushed poly. I was able to cut this out of 3/4 yard of fabric easily. This fabric was a scrap that I held onto for so long waiting for that perfect pattern. This was it! I got it in a scrap pack from Knitpop. I love tops from less than a yard of fabric. Win! Win! It is called Double Brushed Monochrome Roses on Pink poly spandex, and I got the scrap box May 2017.

Thoughts: I like the length, even though I am used to wearing my tanks longer (by like an inch or 2). I like how it looks and fits with my stomach/hip area - it is not too tight. It was a decently fast sew and I love the finished result. (I have a slight swayback issue in this but that is quite common for me and I made this with no alterations). I love how the binding is attached for this tank, it looks pretty inside and out. I tested this pattern and I know they changed it a bit for the final copy. There is more armscye coverage so no side-boob shows now. And There is no longer a racerback option – which is sad because that’s my favorite way to have tanks. Regardless its an awesome pattern, another winner from Jalie. I can wear this all year round, it looks great with a cardigan. (seen below with my Jalie Drop Pocket Cardigan). They also have a dress option now for the released pattern! I can’t wait to make that version. Pattern: Jalie ~ Mimosa 3890 for Miss K Sewn before: green floral in 2018

Date Sewn: 11/07/20

Size Sewn: R

Alterations: shortened the sleeves by 2” per Miss K’s wishes. she didnt want them turned up in a cuff like the pattern shows.

Fabric: I wanted this fabric for myself. I had been saving it for awhile. Miss K grabbed it and I couldn’t say no but I am secretly sad the fabric is now gone. Double Brushed Denim & Small Ivory Stripes Poly Spandex, $5.10/yard purchased April 2017 from knitpop. I have about 3/4 yard left so I used 1.25 yards for this top. (3/4 yard left! maybe I'll make another Jalie Beatrice tank for me with the scraps!).

Thoughts: I love the top on her. I think it looks great! She thinks it is too long and wants about 2” taken off the length. She’s so used to those awful crop tops, I much prefer the longer length. I love love love that curved bottom hem. I need to make me some more of these. Sadly I got rid of my first one I made and I miss it terribly! I want it back! I don’t know why I ever get rid of me-made clothes because I usually want the again after a bit. My old notes say to definitely use the recommended fabric for this – one with a bit of structure or recovery; or I suggest to size down one if using a really drapey knit like rayon/spandex. My sweater knit was perfect for the top and I love Miss K’s dbp version too.

health update: my radiation starts Oct. 25th and is 5 days a week for 6 weeks. With an almost 4 hr car ride each day.

Thanks for reading!! Kristin

Jalie Jeanne PJs and Lekala Top

Pattern: Jalie JeAnne Pjs 4016

Date Sewn: 12/24/2020

My Measurements at the time: 40 bust, 32.5 waist, 46.5 hip

Size Sewn:For the top I made Size Y graded to a BB at hip; for the bottoms I made Size BB

Alterations: 1/2” forward shoulder on top. Pants: 1/2” knock knee, Lowered the front rise by THREE inches, my elastic waist in the pants was 1” x 37”.

Fabric: A gloriously soft waffle knit. It is so smooth and feels wonderful to wear.  It has 30% stretch in the height and 70% stretch in the width.  I don’t know where I got it, when, or anything sadly.  Bad record keeping on my part there.

Thoughts: I love them.  I really do.  At first I was disappointed the top was so loose and big but I have come to enjoy it.  I also feel like it needs 1” added to the legs.  When I walk the pants become too short. However now I seem to wear them all the time as the weather gets colder.  They are so soft and nice to curl up in.

I also took the Jeanne leggings pattern part and remade some too big Wall-E pj pants into leggings.  The too Big “before” pants on right above and the now leggings on the left.

I added the 1” to the leg length and used the same pattern and alterations as above.  This fabric is a less stretchy cotton jersey and the pants are a tiny bit too tight – but now I’ve lost a lot of weight and they fit just right.  this fabric doesn't have the right stretch for the pattern, oops. But I love them anyway.

Sewn: 01/02/21.   I had them in my refashion pile for at least 3 years so I am glad I got them sewn up.

Pattern: Lekala #4321 Top

Date Started: 09/04/2020

Date Finished:10/10/2020

My Measurements at the time: 37 high bust, 39 bust, 31 waist, 45.5 hip

Size Sewn: custom to my measurements above

Alterations: 1/2” forward shoulder adjustment (common for me) and I took 1/2” off back yoke & bodice from armscye to waist.

Fabric: Gray Scuba Blue Triangle Stag on White Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric. 50% Cotton/50% Poly.  I used 1 yard. I purchased it 07/08/15 for $6.60/yard.  I got it from Girl Charlee before I realized how terrible of a company they are and how shoddy their fabrics are.  I like this fabric, but I would never buy from them again.  The accent is Aqua cotton lycra from purpleseamstress.  A really awesome place to buy fabric and an awesome seller; seriously Mel is amazing. she ships faster than lightning.  I used 1/4 yard for the accent and it is $6.50 a yard.  So total for the top is $8.23

Thoughts: Well I sewed these completely different than the instructions stated. I’ll list the steps I took below.  When making the top the front bodice was 1/2” too long at the hem to where the back bodice didn’t meet it.  I had to chop off that 1/2” on the front to have an even hem.  I also cut the back as one piece. For some weird reason they wanted it cut as two with a seam in the middle.  I like the look of the top a lot.  I just don’t know how well it wears.  The front yoke piece likes to buckle up and you can see straight down my shirt when I move my arms forward.  I don’t appreciate that.  I feel like it wears a bit awkward even if it looks cool.  I will have to see how much I even wear it.

Steps to sew: 1 sew front yoke & facings on top edge only; 2. sew shoulder details on curved edge only to facing; 3. sew darts; 4. sew front yoke to front bodice; 5. turn back neckline 1/4” under and topstitch. 6. sew back to shoulder facings; 7. line up shoulder sides with notch at top on front yoke and baste.  Make sure to do the same spot on both side, make them even; 8. attach sleeves; 9. add buttons; 10: sew side seams and 11. hem.

Thanks for reading and being with me on my crazy journey!

Kristin