Unselfish Sewing

Sometimes I sew for others.  It is a rare occasion but I do.

Jalie Nordik 4025

Back in November 2020 I tested the Jalie Nordik slippers for my husband. I was actually quite surprised that they fit his size 14 feet.

I was more surprised that when I gave them to him, he never took them off.  Seriously, he wore them around the house forever and is still wearing them.

He tells me they are very comfortable and it is hard to find slippers in his size.

He measured a 30 on the chart so I used 30. I made View B – the slippers

I used Wool for the outer, Twill with grippy fabric dots for the sole, fleece for the inner layer and black rib knit for the heel.

I had no 1” of loft batting so I used 2 layers of compressed 1/2” quilt batting.  This was super super thick to sew through.  I think 1” as the pattern states would be best.

I love how they turned out! He said "they went on nice and easy, they are comfortable. No not too big, not too small, they are nice"

His toe is at the very very end but he swears they are not too short. They look wide to me but he says they are not.

He hasn't taken them off his feet in days and now months since I made them, so I think they are a hit!

I used water soluble stabilizer to cover the grippy dot material so my machine would stitch it with no issues.

This worked very well. I think the spray basting was super helpful sewing the batting to the fabric; the first slipper I didn't use the spray baste and had shifting fabric.

I can't wait to make myself some now as I am jealous that my husband gets them. I want a pair of boots from the pattern!

GreenStyle Hamptons

In December 2020 I made Mr. T some fun Christmas pajama shorts.  I started them and finished them on 12/23/20 (whew, that was a close one for Christmas).

Fabric: I used Joann's doodles.  They get a bad rap for shrinking terribly and fading, but he’s still wearing them a year later and they have held up well.

I used the Greenstyle Hampton pattern.  It fits him so well and he loves the pockets. His measurements at the time: 31.5 waist, 39 hip, and 35 pants waist I made these in a straight medium for him, with no alterations. I made him these once before in the cactus print. I have also sewn up a pair for Mr. Sunnysewing too, both of those were in 2018.

They sew up very nice and look really RTW (ready to wear – store bought).  They fit great and the instructions are wonderful.

This is the best photo I could get of Mr. T wearing them.

GreenPepper 560 - not recommended

And I also made in December 2020 (12/06/20) some hoodies for the dogs with a Green Pepper Pattern.

I used their size and measurements but they turned out way too tight and small.  This is the second Green Pepper Pattern I have used that turned out way too small.

Bennie Bear (the white one) I sewed a size Small. His was super sausage tight and the bottom’s of the back and pocket did not match up.

Cheeto (the black beauty) I sewed up an XL and he can barely walk in it it’s so tight.

Fabric: I used leftover fleece scraps from my McCalls pajama set that I love so much. the fabric is Baum Textiles WinterFleece Classic Plaid Red/Black Yard, purchased on Amazon in Sept 2017 for $7.58/yard.

I am super disappointed they did not fit right.  They look so dang cute and I wanted them to be matching boys.

I’m not so sure I am willing to try a Green Pepper pattern again. Here are the Glov-itts I tried to make Miss K in 2017 that were a disaster. Sew A Little Seam – Movie Night Pjs for Pets

In March 2020 I made the dogs some cute tees to match Miss K’s Christmas pants. (yes I know, March is a little late but better than never).

For Cheeto I used the Sew A Little Seam Movie Night Pj’s for Pets (Its a free pattern!).  I made super cute tees for the boys in May 2019 with this pattern too. he’s a very helpful model

I altered the top this time for Cheets. I added 1/2” to the back at the center seam (so an 1” total). and 1/4” to the front at center seam (so 1/2” total).  It turned out I didn't need that extra at the back but the front was now perfect.  He has a very broad chest.  (He is part doxie).

Miss K matched in a shirt and pants. And Bennie Bear got a cute onesie.  You can see more pics of them here.

Bennie’s onesie is a Mimi & Tara – Pets Pajamas Button Up Pattern.  I like it. It turns out well and he looks so cute in it.

M4M – Scrunchies Oh and September 2019 I made Miss K’s best friend some fun scrunchies.  I used the Made for Mermaids tutorial and it was nice and easy.  She liked them so it was a win. That almost catches me up on unselfish sewing makes not shared on the blog. Miss K has a few things I haven’t shared yet.

Happy Sewing! (P.S. - I did finally get some sewing in since my surgery!!! I made Miss K some soft Pj pants and I made me a soft nightgown.  It was very hard and there were tears but I sewed them up and that gave me hope.  Look to see them here soon or catch a sneak peak by scrolling up and looking on the right sidebar for my Instagram feed).

Kristin

October makes for K ~ Ottobre and Jalie, etc.

Before October exits and November begins I wanted to document my makes for Miss K this month.  I refer back to my blog posts often when I am making things so it is handy to have all my info here. 

Ottobre 04/2007 #31 ~ “Tunic Top”



Size: I used a size 146 for height and 152 for width. I knew K would not like the belt on this tunic so I left that off.

Construction: I had trouble gathering the waist because of my drapey, thin fabric so I ended up getting few gathers and just shaved the sides off by 1.25 inches each so the bottom of the tunic wasn’t so huge. 



Outcome: I used really expensive custom knit fabric that K “had to have and loved” for the bodice.  After I made this top up she informed me that she hated the sleeve cuffs.  So I sat and unpicked both sleeves, cut new ones, sewed them on, and just hemmed them.  After all this work she tells me the top is too babyish and will not wear it.

Fabric: The custom fabric is normally $25 per yard but I bought and sold some to make my Fat Half $9.79, it is called “Bunny Tea” and was ran by Sweet N’ Charmed; I purchased it in July 2014.  The solid pink is a soft rayon type jersey knit with a heathered look; I purchased it from Fashionfabricsclub in Jan 2015.  I used 1/2 yard, $1.98.  The yellow is ribbing material. We’ll say that small bit cost $0.25.  Total for the now pajama shirt: $12.02

Jalie 3461 ~ Eleanore

Size: Before my troubles with the Eleanore pattern I had already traced and cut out a pair for K.  This girl only wears yoga pants and hates jeans.  I thought I’d give this pattern a try on her.  I used a size “Q” for her but shortened it by 2 inches.  The size falls in her exact measurements.



Construction:  I sewed these after my failure with the pattern and hoped that they would fit.  I sewed them with 1/4” seam as directed, but this left no room for adjustments.  These sew up fast and great.  I loved the instructions.  I had no difficulty with them.  Then I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.



Outcome: K put them on and actually loved them.  They were a tad snug in the rear but overall fit well, if not a little long.  She wore them to school the next day and was happy.  Then I washed them and noticed the seam in the rear had split open.  There is no way I can unpick the top stitching in this corduroy and not ruin the fabric.  So the pants were worn one time and have now met their sad demise.  I will try this pattern again once I pick up some more stretch corduroy; However, I’ll go up one size for her width wise and double stitch the crotch seams.  I will also scoop out the back a bit to make room for her rear.



Fabric: 1 yard of Stretch Corduroy in Dark Teal.  This had great stretch of at least 30%.  I picked this up in August 2013 from Mill End Textiles before they closed shop. It was only $2.99 for the yard. 




Jalie 3352 ~ Dolman Tee

Size: Last week Miss K told me at 5pm that she needed to wear orange the next day to school.  She has no orange shirts.  I went and looked in my stash and wanted to choose the fastest, simplest pattern I could.  I settled on the Jalie Dolman Tee.  I normally go up 2 sizes in Jalie because the fit is snug so I debated and cut an “O” for the shoulders/bust to a “Q” at the waist/hip.  Well, this pattern runs normal sized so I didn’t need to size up. 



Construction:  This went together fast.  There are 3 pieces for my version: the front, the back, and the lower sleeve part. I used my coverstitch for the hems.  K didn’t want the high/low hem going on so I took the low part off the back and used the length of the front all over.  Well, it is short.  It hits her at the just acceptable mark.  I will make this for her again because she loves the style, but will lengthen it by 1-2 inches. 



Outcome: Miss K loved this top. She liked the style and the fabric.  All her friends loved it at school the next day and requested one for themselves.  The next one I make will be smaller in the shoulders though.



Fabric: The main body is a Fat Half of “Paintstrokes” ITY.  I picked it up from FabricMart in July 2015.  The fat half would be $2.25.  The black is also an ITY I picked up from Hancock's in Sept 2015.  I used 1/4 yard we shall say, $1.60. Total for the shirt: $3.85



Jalie 3355 ~ Sweatpants

Size: I’ve had tons of success with this pattern using the sweatshirt and so I assumed the sweatpants would be great too.  I used Miss K’s measurements and settled on size “Q” after measuring the pattern, too.  I shortened the rise by 1” and the height by 2”. 

Sorry, I have terrible light to take pictures this morning

Construction:  I love the pockets on these pants, they are so cute!  These sew together fairly fast. too.


Outcome: They are huge. Absolutely huge on her, all over.  The width and length and rise overwhelm her.  Miss K and I decided to put them away for next year instead of trying to alter them.



Fabric: 1.5 yards of Berry Pink French Terry, purchased from Fashionfabricsclub July 2015 for $5.93

Bonny Leggings – Made for Mermaids

Size: 12 height, 14 width. 



Construction: These go together super fast.  I taped the pattern and cut it out, cut out my fabric AND had it sewn in 45 minutes. 

Outcome: K doesn’t like them. She thinks they are “weird” looking and tells me they are too tight.  This fabric stretches 70% widthwise and 50% lengthwise though.

Fabric: Neon Orange Active wear I just purchased form Fashionfabricsclub. These used almost a yard so we will say they cost $3.95

Brazi Bra – Stitch Upon A Time

Size: XS with a size 2 band



Construction: This is pretty simple to make.  Through trial and error I found that Miss K likes the 3” fold over bottom band instead of the 5”.  I also have to shorten the straps by 1.5”

Outcome: She still doesn’t like this fabric and tells me it is sort of tight.  However she did wear it all day to school. 

Fabric: Neon Orange Active wear I just purchased form Fashionfabricsclub. This used a small bit of my yard so we will say it cost $1.00.  It is fully lined with the same fabric.

Midnight Slippers ~ Stitch Upon A Time

Oh, I almost forgot.  I started to make Mr. T these awesome slippers.  I will not finish the other one laying there however because they are too small for him *cry*  They fit Miss K but she won’t wear them because... zombies.
 


I printed the pattern at 90% and used the biggest size (per his measurements).  I even placed the zombie face right where he looks in the slipper!  The bottoms have slipper grip.  I was too excited to give them to him.  He can’t even squish his little foot in them, lol.  And this was the very last of the walking dead fabric I had.




And there you have it.  Many fails for K and only 1 success and 1 partial success, lol.  She is such a fickle child.

Bring on November!