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

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

Jalie Sylvie Pants

Hello 2022.  I haven’t been sewing at all. I feel like absolute crud.  This craniotomy and radiation really have me down. I thought, well if I’m not sewing, I might as well be catching up on past makes on my blog.  I am behind on a ton of makes. I tested these Jalie Sylvie pants (4129) back in Fall of 2020 and fell in love immediately.  They were not released to the public until well into 2021 and it was so hard for me to keep them a secret because I wore them so much.

You all know that I have struggled with pants fitting my entire sewing journey from 2012 to now.  I am VERY pear shaped.  My waist is usually 31-32 inches and my hips 45-46 inches.  That is a huge difference.  I have exhausted myself with fitting books and muslins.  Well I have to tell you, these Sylvie pants fit me so well right away without any trouble or alterations!  I was in misbelief!!  So let me show you my beautifully fitting Sylvie pants.

(all photos are from 2020 BEFORE surgery)

Pattern:  Jalie Sylvie 4129

My Measurements at the time: Waist: 31”, Hips: 45.5”, Inseam to floor: 32”, Height: 5’7”

Size Sewn: At first I made a straight size AA (foolishly) and the waist was too big. so I graded then from a Size W for the Waist to an AA on the hips (this is what I do for all Jalie pants patterns).  I made View B.

Instructions:  I shouldn't’ even have to tell you how great Jalie instructions are.  I love them and they are great.  I like that there are written instructions and then a visual picture of the step right there too.

Fabric Used: The pattern lists 2 yards of required fabric.  I used 3 different types of fabric and they each took 1 7/8 yards so the 2 yards required is spot on.

Fabric 1: B&W fabric is an ITY (95% Polyester/5% Lycra), it is 58” wide It stretched 50% width, 90% length.

Fabric 2: pink very light french terry (feels like a rayon spandex) and is 58" wide; stretch: 60% width & length

Fabric 3: camel colored plush velour (cotton spandex blend) and is 60" wide; stretch: 70% width & 40% length

Thoughts: I love these pants! They are such a fast sew and so comfortable to wear. Each fabric has their own strengths.  The ITY is flowing and cooling. They can look dressy but are still secret pajamas.  The french terry are so comfortable and the velour… oh my gosh the velour might be my favorite.  They are thick and luscious and soft and comfortable. I know they did not have the correct stretch requirement and they are a tiny bit snug, but they fell so dang amazing.

I am telling you all three types of fabric fit amazing. I normally make a ton of alterations for pants and these I didn't even have to alter the crotch curve or anything. They are high waisted as the pattern says and I prefer much lower waisted pants, but I made them first as the pattern was written. Afterwards I went back and lowered the front by 4" and the back by 2" - but this was only for my personal preference.  I also found them to be about 2" too long on my drapey pairs and in my stable fabric they were 1.5" too long. My inseam is 32" and I am 5'7" tall. For B&W and pink I hemmed 2" higher than pattern states. For camel pair I hemmed as pattern says and they are too long as you can see in the photos. I also left the original waistband on the camel pair in the photos. I plan on wearing these all the time. I loved this pattern so much I immediately made 3 pairs! I also plan on making a few more pairs after the test. I think these are marvelous because they fit so well on so many body types.

I highly HIGHLY recommend you give these a try especially if you struggle with getting pants that fit.

**Health update** I’m just a trainwreck at this point.  I feel like Jabba the hutt.  I lay or sit in bed most days and it is driving me crazy.  I feel awful, just plain awful and the doctors don’t know what to do with me or how to help me.  My seizures are not controlled, I’ve tried 6 meds for them now and my stomach will not tolerate the meds. On top of that radiation sucked and my body is exhausted, my head hurts, and it itches like hell. I’m still not eating solids and not much else either since the craniotomy, they don’t know why and can’t help me. My emotional health is a wreck. I spend a lot of time depressed and crying or completely angry.  I just want my life back!

Thanks for reading!!

Kristin