Sirocco - The Silver Spacesuit

Happy holidays people whatever you may be up to!

I just thought I'd do a little festive (ish) post today - and by festive I mean the fabric was every so slightly glittery.



I have not really ventured much into jumpsuit territory before however French pattern company Deer and Doe teased me into that territory with the Sirocco jumpsuit pattern. 


It's obviously not a new pattern, but it took me this long to pluck up the courage to give it a go, knowing it was probably going to be a sewing fail what with me being super picky about how trousers fit, and the issue of a pear shape. That being said I have heard that Deer and Doe actually draft for that body type!

Much insta-stalking ensued to see how the jumpsuit fit on different body shapes and to read every review I could find about fit and pattern changes. In the end I just took the plunge, cut my size (graded between 44 on top and 46 downwards) and went for it straight out of the packet.

Construction wise I ignored the instructions. I figured that if I made the bodice and trousers separately, there would be a better chance of fitting that awkward 'crotch rise' area which was probably the most likely culprit for a fitting issue.

I'm glad I tried it on this way as although the separate elements (top and bottom) fit quite nicely - they did not meet very well in the middle!

Cue awful mid-construction photo:


As you can see - with the very tiny waist band, there was not much of a chance that bad boy was going to stretch and attach to the trousers!

I re-cut the waistband with an extra 3cm in width and had to snip the old one off the top as I'd already overlocked it. I think I lost a bit of bodice length there which may be why the jumpsuit is now a bit too high-waisted. But not so much as to be unwearable.


It certainly isn't the most flattering thing I've ever worn but actually it's one of the comfiest!
I feel a bit paranoid about my bum/tum in this however I test-wore it to a Sew Day a couple of weeks ago and actually people were very complimentary about it which was very kind. I suppose we should not worry about these things!

The fabric is fun - it is a good quality stretch jersey from Fabric Godmother described as 'metallic denim'. I was going to do a straight up dark blue one however this fabric struck me as something a bit more special. I've paired it up with some glittery trainers. Of course.



I'd definitely give this another go in classic black, I think that would hide a few lumps and bumps and be a good 'throw on and go' option for various occasions. If anyone knows where I can find some really good quality black jersey do let me know!


And with that bit of sparkle I shall wish you all a happy holiday period, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, have a lovely time. Whatever you're doing, do it with love.

 
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Sasha and The Techincolour Trousers

This was one of those project ideas where it gets inside your head and just won't quit until you make it...

Totally inspired by these joggers from Hush, I decided that nothing other than rainbow stripe trousers would do. I actually thought these were proper trousers until looking at the website. Turns out these are just comfy joggers. Not sure about the boot/jogger combo myself - looks like something I'd whack on to get the laundry out the garden in. #anyshoeswilldo


So why buy something when you can make it for about 3 times the price and 10 times the effort. (::eye roll::) The answer dear friends is...BECAUSE WE CAN.

My version of these are here...



Fabric
I knew instantly that the quality ponte fabric from Minerva would look beautiful with colour as it is solid, strong fabric and so black it's almost invisible.  (Unlike my last post, I did buy this ponte!!) It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny in my opinion.

I then had to 'crowd source' the rainbow side stripe but putting a call out on The Fold Line Facebook group. It was there I discovered Little T's Haberdashery and the rest is history (rainbow ALL the things).

Stripes
They sell actual SIDE stripe!! I was thinking normal coloured elastic would probably do the trick as the main fabric is stretchy and the side seams wouldn't need to move too much. Enter the side-stretch elastic - bendy both vertical and horizontal! A revelation.



Pattern
After a bit of pattern, and soul, searching I resided myself to the fact that much fitting would have to be done on these dream trousers. I then discovered to my amazement, my Sasha trousers from last year still fit (even though nothing else does) and the crotch curve on those are great - so why mess with a perfectly good system. The Closet Case Patterns Sasha Trousers it was!

The trousers are designed for stretch cotton so I figured a sturdy ponte would be able to handle it.  Plus - comfy. They did not disappoint.


Pretty guts
I went to absolute town on the inside of these. The facings were made from scraps of viscose I used in my Armidale dress and the overlocking/coverstitch just had to be rainbow really didn't it. Another fab purchase from Little T's ;). I attached the elastic stripes with a chain stitch for stretch - the looper thread is rainbow and the top thread matched the stripe colour so it didn't show on the outside. I just hope it stays in place :-/


I know I say this a lot, but these are really one of my favourite makes to date. I think because I spent a lot of time and care trying to get every element just right, and the end result paid off as some comfy trousers that make me feel good to wear. Stylish but functional.



Not massively seasonal but a great pair of trousers for all year round!

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Winter Woodland Wear

'Tis the season to wear some bears.

So we've developed a weird tradition in our family that I make me and my sister matching sweaters for December. This year I thought we'd take it a step further a make a hoodie.

Enter the Lane Raglan by Hey June Handmade. A super versatile pattern with so many variations - including a hooded top! The perfect December lounge wear.



I chose less 'Christmassy' fabric and more of a 'winter' theme so it could be worn more than 1 week per year... This absolutely beautiful french terry is a watercolor painting print from Jelly Fabrics called 'Woodland Animals'. And yes, I was partially swayed by the bears and trees reminding me of Canada.

 

The Lane Raglan is so quick to whip up and the hood attached in a beautifully simply cross-over at the front. I found some great 'hoodie laces' from Little T's haberdashery which gave a nice contrast to the black.

In the absence of eyelets, I just made a buttonhole for the laces to run through and that worked just fine.


I chose the curved hem version and the length is lovely, just perfect for skimming over leggings and the fit of the top drapes really well over the body - not too loose, not too tight - juuuust right. The 3 bears would be pleased.


In addition to the jumpers, I also had enough fabric to make my friend's babies some cute little dungarees! I picked out the Sew Over It - Dandelion Dungarees and whipped up a couple of them in 3 months and 6 months old sizes. How fast is kid's stuff?!?! Tiny little pieces fit so well on the fabric.


The dungarees are reversible so you can flip them and have black dungarees with woodland cuffs aswell.

I'd got some lovely Prym Love snaps to add to these however after about 400 practice attempts, I could not for the life of me attach them so the larger pair have a nice big button closure.


By pure chance (or was it?!? The robots are listening), my Amazon account threw up a 'suggestion' of a Prym Love snapper tool for the pliers. Turns out I hadn't been using the right tool for the job. A swift purchase of the right equipment later, and now snapping capabilities were mine mwahahah.

So the next little dungarees have cute little heart snaps on them. Which turns our are really really easy to apply once you have the right gadget.


There we have it, a bit of winter wear this season :) What cosy things have you been making? x

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Monsal with Minerva - Wendy Ward Joggers

This week I'm back on the Minerva blog with some epic black ponte roma fabric that was JET black and ideal for some cosy autumn joggers. (Hint - they were made quite a while back!!)

I've been working my way through the Wendy Ward  book of all things stretch and these Monsal joggers called to me.



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