The Whole Kit and Kaboodle (Jalie 2215)

You guys should know by now how much I love Jalie. This is the third and fourth time I've made this pattern. The first two times were running shirts (here and here). This is the first time I've made the pants. Unsurprisingly, they fit well straight out of the envelope. First, let's talk tops. I made this turtleneck by sewing the top together and not slashing the polo opening. Then I made the front of the scoop a little bit deeper. When I measured the circumference of the top it totaled 16" so I made my neckband 15". I wanted it to be snug versus really slouchy. Then I quartered the top and collar and attached it. This is a fabric my husband bought for me during one of his many Houston trips last year. It's an organic cotton with little holes in it (scroll down on the link above and you can see a close-up). It is a dense enough weave that I don't have to worry about any bra peekage. Pardon the funny faces but it's 3° outside right now. ETA: I should add that the shirt is just an undershirt. I don't run in cotton shirts. I would freeze my everything off.






Next, the bottoms. The bottoms are a size S which is two sizes bigger than the top. I'm a true pear-shaped woman. These pants are made out of a very thick bottomweight four-way stretch knit I bought from the Fabrics and Notions coop group run by Ressy (thanks EFQ!). The only change I might make next time is to flair the legs just a little bit more. These are also a cotton mix so I wear them at the gym and as lounge pants. I won't wear these when I run outside either.





And the requisite butt photo.



I really like how the pattern is lower in the front and higher in the back. No one wants butt cleavage on the track.





Hmmmmm, next up? I'm not sure. The kids probably need more winter stuff. It's been chilly, chilly here.

Burda 09-2009 #130 Cropped Vest

Remember this little ditty from 09-2009 Burda? I love vests and I needed something different for my wardrobe topper. I have decided that I'm not a jacket kind of gal and maybe I should stop making jackets that I will never wear. Instead, I used the remaining wool twill from this recent jumper and made this vest. This, I will most certainly wear.

I went with the mother of pearl buttons that so many of you suggested. I really like how they are neutral but kind of dressy at the same time.

The back is my favorite part with that high slit.

The buttons were made with my Greist buttonholer on my Necchi BU Mira.

I finally conquered that Burda technique that they show with the wooden spoon. It's pretty easy when you actually follow their directions. You pull the vest right side out through a 6" slit in the CB lining. Later you hand-stitch that puppy back together.

Let's see, some details for ya'll. I took in the side seams about an inch on both sides. I made no other alterations except leaving off the topstitching, tubular braid, frog closures, and snaps. Brian, it took me almost no time to make this vest. It's only six pieces (three fashion fabric, three lining) with no challenging sewing. I think it probably took me four hours of solid time from tracing to buttonholes. Like everything, the pressing and finishing things like buttonholes and hand-stitching took the majority of time. Actual time at the machine might have been an hour but I doubt it. I highly recommend making vests because they don't require much fitting and they are simple and fast to put together.

Buttons - Better pictures

I realize that those last photos suck. I took some on the front porch. It's a cold but bright day. I think I'm leaning toward the mother-of-pearl ones now. They are the top ones.

As soon as I get it done, I'll take some pictures and answer Brian's question. Stay tuned.

Buttons -- Help!

Man these photos are horrible. I decided that I'm just not a jacket kind of girl. I am going to take the Chanel jacket out of my Wardrobe Contest plans and use this vest instead. It's a Burda pattern and I'll show it to you in detail once I figure out the buttons. What do you think readers? My favorite is #2. I did a close-up of the buttons at the very bottom because these pictures are so horrible. I may have to brave the weather and take a photo outside. It's about 8°F out there.

#1 is a lavender-y plastic button. I am debating the number of buttons too. I could do three or four.

#2 is a plastic button that is made to look like those leather buttons. There is a close-up below.

#3 is a black/mother-of-pearl button. You can't tell anything about it in this photo except for size.

I also put in two other potential buttons: black and gray. And, of course, I could go buy some but I'd rather use ones from stash.

I've been dreaming of jeans again.

My router is dead so I am forced to post via my iPhone. I'll keep it short and sweet. Look at the fun pocket embroidery designs I've been testing out. Won't these fun on a back pocket? Details coming with links as soon as I can get to a real keyboard.

I am trying to see if mobile blogger works with my phone. This is just
a test of the emergency broadcasting system. Or whatever. Daughter #2

Kwik Sew 3576 - Another jumper

Remember way back when? The first time I made this jumper in February of 2008? I loved it then and I love it now. My sewing skills have come a long way since then. When I made it the first time, I had only been garment sewing for six months or so. The fit and construction are much better this time. I made this out of a gorgeous purple twill wool. I bought it from Ann over at Gorgeous Fabric a long time ago but never wanted to cut into it because I liked it so much. It has pockets and a belt. I do not have a belt buckle for it yet. I made this jumper at the original length. The first time I lengthened it. The more I sew, the higher my hemlines seem to get. I think this is a great length for boots and tights though. With the other one, tall boots seem to be too much. I'll wear it with a turtleneck like this. It could also be worn sleeveless. I also lowered the front neckline by about a 1/2" and raised the back neckline by the same amount.

Here I tried to lighten the colors a little so you can see details. Now that it is darker earlier, I am reduced to taking inside photos again. I used Coats and Clark Heavy Dual thread in a gold color.

Here's another light one that shows the bust darts. It is shaped by two front waist darts, two back waist darts, and two bust darts. The waist darts are all partially concealed by pockets and belt loops.

The true color is just a bit darker than this.

I'll try to get some natural light photos but the sun sets by 4:30pm and it's twilight-y for an hour or so before that.