Jalie 2445 with an Ottobre Tank & Jalie 3355

 

Another catch up post. 

Way back in May 2017 I made this Black and White “love graffiti fabric” set. Technically I made the tank in Aug 2016 and then added the shorts to match in May 2017. In the last 4 years I have worn then tons (the fabric is fading) and love the set.  Sadly I never got around to blogging the details. 

(photos from before surgery)

As my weight fluctuates I have to send them to the “too small” or “too large” bin from time to time but I never get rid of the set.

They fit awesome and feel great when I wear them. I don’t often wear sets and I really like these together.

The shorts are Jalie 2445; back in 2017 I was an entirely different size than I am now. I made a straight size X for some reason.  Normally I size up for my hips. But who knows what fitting book I was reading and what method I was giving a try. 

So I made a straight size X with a ton of alterations.  On the backs I took 5/8” off the outer waist and 1/4” at center waist.  I added 1/2” to the outer hip but took away 1/2” on the butt scoop.  I then added 2.5” to the hem.

To the fronts I did the same on the waist, but for the hip I added 1/4” to outer and took in 1/4” on inner crotch scoop.  I also added 1/2” to the front thigh.  My notes say I added 1” total to thigh, 0 total to hip, and removed 1.75” from total waist. Whew, that’s a mouthful.  Let’s get a visual drawing for that.  (yes, I’m slightly crazy sometimes with trying alterations).

(Not the actual pattern below, just a generic drawing of shorts fronts and backs). 

The fabric I used is: “Love Graffiti Jersey Knit”  Cotton/Lycra from Fashionfabricsclub.  I picked it up in Nov 2015 for $5.25 per yard.  It’s a fun fabric but washes terribly.  It fades a ton. It has horrible recovery. But, it is soft.

I love the waistband on these things. The method to put the waist in keeps it all nice and straight and no rolling. There is zigzag stitching along the inside top that keeps it all nice and in place. 

Pulling these out of the saved bin is like pulling out a favorite, loved blanket. Soft and comforting.  They are going on 5 years of wear now, I consider them a definite win. 

I also have made these shorts for Miss K 2 times before; she didn’t wear them much because she is just not a shorts girl.  But they turned out cute anyway. 

This is Ottobre 02/2007 #1 “Tank Top” and I made it once before this one, but wasn’t happy with it (back then I wanted more tight fitting clothing and as time has gone on I would much prefer the looser fit of both these tank).  This one is a size 42 graded to a 46 at the hip. This time I slimmed up the sides a bit but it was still loose. The fabric was the same “Love” graffiti as above.                           

                                  (Photo below from 2017)

 

And I can’t believe I never shared THIS make on my blog.

It’s Jalie 3355 which I’ve made a bazillion (9) times now. I made this one Oct 2017 and Miss K loved it for a short time.

It was an expensive make. She felt it brought too much attention to her when she wore it to school and with her being shy, she decided after a few wears, to not wear it anymore.

I still have it, hanging in my closet. It was too expensive and too good to give away. Maybe someday I can squeeze into it when my weight fluxes again.

I made this in a straight size U, adding 1” to the cuffs and hem band widths.  This is up a few sizes for Miss K. But I wanted it to fit for awhile because it was such an expensive make. 

The fabric is absolutely amazing. It is Saoirse (SheerSha) from the movie The Song of the Sea. One of my all time favorite movies.

The fabric on the sleeves, hood, and back is called Selkie love; 2 yards cotton lycra; $44 (YIKES!! It was $22/yard). The front panel is called Selkie panel and was $8

SO Total for the hoodie was $52  not including the blue bands and inner hood lining……. I’m a very frugal person and this just hurts me to pay for this amount of fabric.

But, it was a rare occasion and Miss K wanted it so bad.

I got the fabric from Wanderlust custom fabric on Facebook.  I have always gotten awesome, quality custom fabrics from there.

 

Other Jalie 3355 makes:

Dark Gray Hoodie for Mr. T – Nov 2017

Gray Yellow Brick Road Hoodie for me – Nov 2016

Purple plain hoodie for Miss K – Nov 2016

Red Kitty Hoodie for Miss K – Apr 2016

Purple Alice In Wonderland Hoodie for me – Apr 2015

Teal Rainbow for Miss K – Mar 2015

Purple Pac Man for Miss K -Mar 2015

Black Polka Dot hoodie for Miss K – Jan 2015

Happy Sewing! And thanks for the trip back to 2017 with me :)

Kristin

McCall’s M7061 Pajama set ~ Sewing Plans

Pattern: McCall’s M7061 Pajama set These were part of my Fall/Winter sewing plans for 2019

Date Sewn: 08/16/20

Fabric: Baum Textiles WinterFleece Classic Plaid Red/Black Yard, purchased on Amazon in Sept 2017 for $7.58/yard.  I used all 4 yards for this set so the total was $30.32.  The pattern calls for 2 yards for the top and 2 yards for the bottoms in my size. I have some scraps left over that Miss K says I need to use for dog coats.  I can’t wait to match my fur babies, should be exciting.

Let’s Start with the Top

My measurements at the time: High Bust 36, Bust 39, Waist 32, Hip 46

Size used: Top L bust/waist, XL sleeve and hip, View A.

Alterations: 1/2” forward shoulder adjustment (standard for me).

The finished measurements for the bicep are wrong.  The large size states its 14” but it is not, it is only 13.5”.  That 1/2” really does matter.  My bicep measures 13” and I wanted more than the 1/2” ease so I went with the XL size that has a finished measurement of 14.5” (not 15” like the pattern states).  I could should have done a full bicep adjustment to the L size, but I was lazy and just used the XL size.  This added the 1” ease I needed for my arms to be comfortable, but also made more ease to fit into that armscye.

The hood is enormous!  Like very very large.  I compared it to my Jalie 3355 hood, that is much smaller and preferred.

The differences were huge.  I decided to reduce the size of the hood by 1” on all sides except for the bottom.  In turn, this meant I needed to raise the neckline of the top by 2” which I liked better anyway because I don’t like seeing a hood seam so far down on the bodice. It worked out perfectly and the hood attached with no issues.

And now for the pants

My measurements at the time: Waist 32, Hip 46

Size used: Pants in XL, View F.

Alterations: 1/2” knock knee alteration where you slide the inseam in by the 1/2” from knee to ankle and then blend up to the crotch point on the inseam and take in on the outseam ankle to knee, blending up to hip. I scooped the butt curve by 3/4” by comparing the crotch curve to my almost perfect Burda pants.  I measured the back crotch curve and it was only 11.75” and I knew I needed 15” for my butt.  So I added 2” by slashing and spreading the crotch curve at hip line.  Then I added an additional 1.5” to the top of the center back, tapering to 0” at side seam.  In the front I needed to lower the center front rise by 2” because I like my pants to be under my stomach (due to health issues). I was happy to see the back pant piece had the crotch line added to the pattern.  It is an easy line to find on my own but I enjoyed not having to do it; though I am not sure why they did not also add it to the front piece. For the pants I added 36” of 1.5” wide elastic to the waistband of the pants. I can’t believe the pattern does not have you add elastic to the waist!  The ankle cuffs (which they call leg bands) are very, very tight to attach; I was stretching them to the max.  Also, the pants are about 1-1.5” too short for me so next time I need to add to the hem.

Here is how I do the knock knee adjustment. It seems to help quite a bit with wrinkles in the back legs and under butt.

Thoughts: I love the set. They are perfect for winter when it’s bone chilling cold outside. They are soft, fuzzy, and warm (very warm when it is 85° out!).  I wish the pants were a bit longer, but other than that I have no complaints.  They fit great and feel great.  I do think that the set together is a bit overwhelming to look at. Thankfully I can mix and match these two pieces with other makes to tone them down a bit.

The top I can pair with any of my black leggings.  Seen here with my Apostrophe My Fit leggings. And the bottoms I can pair with any of my black tops and tanks.  Seen here with my P4P Sweet Tee.

So as a set, I think they are a bit much.  As separates, I like them quite a lot. I will probably make this pattern again some time either in more fleece, or maybe I will try an interlock set.

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

Sewing for guys ~ Greenstyle, Jalie, Ottobre

Since I’m trying to catch up on past makes I thought I would do a big post of things I’ve made for the guys in my life.  Both Mr. Sunny and Mr. T have had things made that just didn’t get to the blog.

Mr. T is 18 now and will be leaving me soon for college. I have mixed feelings about that!  Here are some of the things I forgot to blog about that I made him 2018 and 2014.

Greenstyle - Hampton shorts with Ottobre tank from 04/2015 #36

Date Sewn: 03/31/18

His measurements at the time: Chest 33, Waist 30, hip 38

Size Sewn: straight medium for the Hampton shorts. The Ottobre tank I used size 170.

Fabric: the softest double brushed poly.  Mr. T has issues with textures and these soft pjs are perfect for him. the cactus fabric is Ivory dbp from purple seamstress.  I paired it with the very light green dbp I got in a mystery fabric box from knitpop.  Then I designed and embroidered the cactus on the pocket.

Thoughts: What a fantastic pattern.  They both fit him perfectly. He still wears this set all the time for bed. I didn’t add pockets since they were for pjs so they were a fast sew. I probably should have made him more of these since he is constantly asking for them to be washed.

Jalie - Nico with the 3355 Hood

Date Sewn: 04/13/18

His measurements at the time: Chest 33, Waist 30, hip 38

Size Sewn: I cut a size V and added 1.5” to hem as T is long waisted and likes his hoodies long.

Fabric: both are cotton lycra’s from purple seamstress. The sleeves and hood are olive, the middle is light gray.

Thoughts: He loved this hoodie. I loved it. It was a win win. I tried to make it look like his favorite old navy hoodies. I even took the time to put in eyelets for the drawstring on the hood.

I kept trying to get a picture of him in the hoodie but at 16 he was just too busy.  It was super easy to add the 3355 hood. It fit without any modifications!

Jalie 3242 boxers from Aug 2014 – I don’t know how I never blogged these from 6 years ago, they are too cute to not share.

Size: Q (US 13). They fit him perfectly at the time. He has since long outgrown them but he did wear them often.  The pirate fabric is a soft cotton interlock, the blue is a cotton lycra.

My little guy had grown up to such a handsome dude. I am excited for him to experience young adulthood.

Mr. Sunny also had a few things sewn up for him that I haven’t posted.

Greenstyle – Hampton shorts

Date Sewn: 06/14/18

His measurements: Waist 42.5, hip 47.5

Size Sewn: XL – they fit him great but he could use a little more room in the hips, maybe 1/2”

Fabric: gray cotton lycra from purpleseamstress with charcoal gray cotton lycra also from purple seamstress.

Thoughts: This pattern is everything perfect in a pair of guy shorts. they are loose, longer, and have pockets.  I enjoyed sewing these up. Mr. Sunny loves them and wears them nonstop.  I added the fake adidas logo with my Silhouette Cameo. I definitely need to make more of these for him.

**update July 2026** These were my favorite shorts to EVER make Mr. Sunny and Mr. T.  These Adidas ones lasted Mr. Sunny EIGHT years and just this year, sadly had to go to the repurpose or bin as they are beyond faded and old (yes i did shed a tear). 

Jalie 3909 – Henri Joggers

Date Sewn: 02/08/19

His measurements: Waist 43, Hip 47, Inseam 34; he is 6’3” tall

Size Sewn: View A, Size FF

Alterations: Husband has a bit of a belly, so his “waist” measurement is usually way larger than his actual pants waist measurement. The pattern asked for 43.5 elastic for the waistband, but I know husband needs 39” elastic for his actual pants waist. I reduced the elastic to the 39”. I also used the sweatshirt fleece for the pockets – husband needs sturdy pockets for all his stuff, and I knew the jersey would bounce around too much for him.

Fabric: Ink Blue Sweatshirt Fleece; 100% cotton – has the required stretch. I purchased it in July 2015 for $6.50/yard from fashionfabricsclub.  I used 1.5 yards for these joggers so $9.75 total.  I used a mystery rib knit from my stash for the waist and cuffs, I wish it had more recovery. I think it might have rayon in it as it is soft.

Thoughts: I actually was a tester for these joggers.  They sewed up nicely.  The fabric behaved beautifully.  I was foolish and used a rayon type rib knit for the cuffs and waistband – which did not work nicely.  It is floppy, too stretchy, and doesn’t have any recovery.  Mr. Sunny likes the pants but hates the waist because of that fabric.  However, I used it because it was the only fabric that matched in color.  I will hack off the waist and put in cotton lycra for the band and he will be happy with them. Also, they are very low rise in the back, Mr. Sunny would like it a little higher like an inch or two and he feels the waist is really big. Which is due to the bad fabric choice on my part.

Jalie 3885– Gerald Boxers

Date Sewn: 12/23/19

His measurements: Waist 42.5, hip 47.5

Size Sewn: CC, I added 1” to the back rise, used 34” waist elastic and did the saxx hack

To make the flaps for the saxx hack I just took the fly piece and traced off about 1.5” wide starting at the side; cut two pieces and used fold over elastic to go down the non-seam side. I put the side flaps on top of the topmost flap when sewing it up, not under them.

I’ve made these twice before for him in Blue space dye with the longer length, and charcoal gray active fabric.

Fabric: Rugrats cotton lycra from JoAnn's that I purchased May 2019

Thoughts: They fit great, I am so close to perfecting the fit on this pattern for Mr. Sunny.  He just wants them higher in the back again by about an inch. He also told me that he doesn’t really like the saxx hack as much as he thought he would.

Now I am all caught up on the guys makes with my blog posting!

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

New Horizons Summit Hoodie x2

Hello, Hello.  Things have been rough here since July so blogging has taken a backseat.  My health went more south again.  I gained 25lbs June-Aug and got my thyroid checked; yes it’s wonky but doc wants to wait to see if it stays wonky.

Then in Oct I had a surgery, and an infection, and then took antibiotics I KNEW would mess up my stomach. So it was no surprise that the week of Thanksgiving I was struck with horrid gastritis again from the medicine damage they say.

I am still dealing with that and struggling to even eat oatmeal and hold down water. So I’ve lost 15 of the 25lbs.  So I am here and I am sewing when I can, which is not as often as I would like.

I finally took a bunch of pics of some of my backlogged makes yesterday so I have a few posts to share.

New Horizons Summit Hoodie 1st make: 08/18/19 My measurements at the time: bust 39, waist 32, hip 46.5

Size Sewn: 12 bust/waist to an 18 hip

Fabric: 2 yards Navy Blue Sweatshirt Fleece, 80% cotton, 20% poly.  Purchased Feb 2015 from fashionfabricsclub for $11 total. The owl is french terry that I cut up from this unloved P4P hoodie I made in Nov 2016. The owl is from Wanderlust Designs Custom Fabric on Facebook.  I purchased the owl 1 yard in May 2016 on sale for $16.50. I also added Thermoflex vinyl to the hoodie with my Silhouette Cameo

Sewing: so the pocket construction on this is flat out weird.  I have sew a few styles like this in the past and this construction is by far the strangest of the bunch – and not in a good way. Also, because of the way the panels are drafted the armscye is no longer curved and doesn’t match the sleeve.

Fit: The sleeves are WAY tight. Squeezing tight.  The back is also tight across the shoulders – a problem I seldom have with patterns.

Thoughts:  I love the look of this top but the drafting leaves some to be desired.  I would pass on this pattern and look towards the very similar Sinclair Skylar instead.

However, looking past all that I love love love the look of this first one. I’m super sad it is too tight. I will just have to wait until my weight decreases enough that it fits. My fabric is a nice sturdy sweatshirt fleece and not as stretchy.

2nd make: 09/14/19

My measurements at the time: bust 39, waist 32, hip 47.5

Size sewn: 14 bust/waist to 20 hip

Fabric: 2 yards Royal French Terry from stylish fabrics. Purchased in Apr 2017 for $7.40/yard; it is soft and stretchy and must have some rayon in it; it is also thin for FT.  The Dreamcatcher French Terry is from Wanderlust Designs Custom Fabric on Facebook and I purchased it in May 2016 for $16.50 for a yard.  The side panels only use a bit of fabric.  I added Thermoflex vinyl to this hoodie too with my Silhouette Cameo.

Same sewing thoughts as above.

Fit: this one fits quite different than the first because of the fabric.  This one is stretchier and more drapey.  I really don’t care for how it feels.  The pocket is baggier because of the double layer of fabric and the nature of rayon.

Thoughts: I don’t think I’ll wear this one much.  I made it in Sept and only wore it once since then; when I wore it I felt uncomfortable in it.