Simplicity 4950

I finally got around to wearing the grey pinstripe pants I made in January from Simplicity 4950. And while I am very happy that my workouts are finally making a difference, it is becoming a problem with the sewing.  When I started these pants they fit good, maybe just a little loose.....well, now they need to be taken in at the waist and a little in the hip.  I haven't really lost any weight, it's just shifting around and firming up. I guess I shouldn't complain.

 

Does this sweater make me look fat?

  

Why do my legs look so short?

  

Gosh, I really need a photography lesson or too.  These pants really look much better in person, but I'm not sure that sweater is doing me any favors. Maybe the color isn't right for me even though it matches the darker pink stripe in the pants.

I am still plodding along with B5331. I really thought I would have finished it last week when The Husband was gone or this week at the latest.  But I just haven't been motivated in the evenings to work on it more than a few minutes. I am down to the sleeves, buttonholes and handwork. I made bias binding for all the regular seams from a pretty printed cotton and did  faux flat-feld seams on the princess seams using the same bias binding. It looks really nice on the inside. 

I think I'm just tired of it for some reason and I'm not lovin' the color either....it is very similar to the sweater I am wearing here......only a little darker. Maybe that's my problem. Or maybe I'm just tired......who knows.

January is for Pants

I finished the hand sewing on the grey pants Sunday night, but haven't worn them yet, so no pictures. They turned out nice, might need to be taken in a bit from mid-hip to mid-thigh. Hmmm, this working out 5-6 times a week might finally be working!

I'm pretty pleased that I was able to complete 2 pairs of pants in January. I've cut and marked B5331 and will start sewing this evening. I'll do the princess seams flat-feld, so I need to take my time with those. With the Super Bowl this Sunday and having people over I don't think I'll get much sewing done, so I'm giving myself 2 weeks to complete it. Not a set-in-stone schedule but a goal nonetheless.

First Garment of the New Year!

Simplicity 5205

I guess this would be considered a vintage pattern, although a little young, 1981, by most standards of vintage.  This was my first vintage pattern and I must say what a difference from today's patterns in the quality of the pattern itself and the fit of the garment.  I made View 4, the gray pair, using a black poly suiting with a cerulean or peacock blue pinstripe.

The pattern size is 14 but to be on the safe side I made a muslin and added 1/2" to the side seams. After trying them on I took the seams in 1/4" and liked the fit so cut my garment fabric with 1/4" added. This was the first time I had worked with a stripe in a pant, but try as I might, I couldn't line everything up perfectly, but unless you where really looking you wouldn't notice.  The poly suiting really frayed so I finished the seams with a zigzag stitch. I know I really need to work on my finishing techniques, but I get so impatient to finish the project sometimes.

All in all, I am happy with the fit. I don't really think I need to add the 1/4" to the next pair as these were quite roomy. But it just seems that the fit on the older pants pattern is more in tune to the real world, or perhaps it is just the style. I remember having several nice pairs of RTW  pants just like this and they fit very nicely.......who know the 80's were good for something!

So here are my pants, sorry the picture isn't great. I'm trying to work on better pictures but you get the idea.  The pinstripe is the EXACT same color as the cardigan....and if I had taken a picture from the back...my tush looks AWESOME!!!

I am actually going to make another pair of these next, in a heather gray poly suiting with a fushia pinstripe.  And I have redrafted the pattern without the front pockets.....I know, I know......most everyone loves pockets but I am not a big fan.  I may also take a little fullness out of the leg, I'm not sure yet.  What I do know is that if I don't get them done in the next few weeks the cooler season here will be done for and these will be regulated to the far end of the closet!

Houston we have......Pants!

Well, they were suppose to be pants but the 100% cotton twill really shrank up a tad, so I thought capris were more stylish than flood pants. I'm really please with this pattern. I think they fit really well and look nice. I like their simplicity...no pockets, very narrow waistband, slimming darts.
Here's they are from the front:Here they are from the side:
And finally....from the back:
Here is the pattern I used, it is OOP. I got it last year from Lanetz Living Sewing Patterns.
I cut a 14 and pin tested it with a 1" side seams. I had to let the waist seam out to the standard 5/8" but took the side seams in more than an inch. I probably could cut the waist at 14 and then tapered to a 12 at the side seams but I liked having the extra fabric there just in case. I would rather cut off a few unneeded inches at the seams than end up with only a 1/4" seam. I had to take in the crotch a little also.

They pants look more streamline on the pattern model, but that's because she has stick legs and I have over 50 thighs!

All in all, I'm real happy with the fit and also with how simple and easy they were to make. I think this could be my TNT pants pattern with a little more tweaking! I've already gotten some more twill, this time with a little stretch to it, and hope to make some pants (not capris) soon.

Next I am trying my hand at sewing a jersey knit top. I should be finished with it this weekend. So far I have mixed emotions about sewing with knits.