Hot Patterns Retro Playsuit

In honor of our “anniversary trip” in a couple of weeks, I thought I’d sew up something cute and sexy. I’ve had this fabric from Hancock’s (why I remember that, I have no idea–it would have been much more useful to remember…I dunno…what it’s content is?!) since I started sewing again (however long ago that was by now). I always kind of figured it was polyester chiffon, with a velvet burnout, but after sewing with it, I’d say it’s better quality than that. Not that it was super easy to sew with mind you, just not as bad as any other polyester chiffon I’ve ever worked with–which are, admittedly, few. Do they make a rayon chiffon? It can’t be silk, not from our Hancock’s.

This stuff is so, so pretty IMO.

Anyway, I’ve loved the idea of the Hot Patterns Retro Playsuit for a long time (you can get your free copy here), but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Isn’t this so cute?!

I decided that since technically, this orangey-pink isn’t really my best color, I wouldn’t be devastated if it didn’t work out, so I just jumped in, cutting out the size 14. I chose that size based on the envelope for a completely different HP pattern, which may or may not have been the same size chart they used for this particular pattern. I should have had plenty of room (even bordering on a smidge too big) based on the size chart from their Metropolitan Urbanista Coat Dress (OOP), but I actually ended up with something that was too small. Namely, it was too short lengthwise, which is something that has NEVER happened to me before! I’m 5’2″, with (proportionally) long legs–most 9 year olds probably have longer torsos than me! In fact, the thought of it being too short never even crossed my mind–to tight/loose, absolutely…too short?! Nope. Now, I will admit that it was snugger than I’d hoped, so it probably wasn’t going to work anyway, but when you can’t cover your nips and still snap the crotch, you’ve got a problem. Maybe I have more “junk” in my trunk than Hot Patterns expected? I don’t know. It did seem like the butt was where everything went south…

A few notes on the pattern itself.

1. It *may* just be that my printer was being a brat that day, but the pages didn’t come anywhere close to matching during assembly, so be prepared to do some “fudging”.
2. This pattern is definitely beginner level, and has the potential for use of those fun trims you can’t quite muster up the courage to use anywhere else but still love.
3. Once cut out, the pattern pieces themselves match up perfectly–so obviously my fudging worked out.
4. I don’t know why anyone would want to fiddle around with teeny buttons “down there”, so I opted to use snaps. I used size 14, and squeezed in 4 of them–I’d go with 3 next time, but it would depend on the width of your trim (I just folded over my serged edges 2x) and what looks/feels right to you.

So here’s the beautiful fail with the straps pinned on. I didnt have the heart to sew them on yet. Seems silly to if no one is short enough to wear it.

Even my (petite) dressform has camel toe…

KS 2908 x2

It’s kind of embarassing how addicting it can be to sew up underwear. They’re super easy, take almost no time, and give you a bit of that instant gratification. But, there’s only so many undies a girl needs in her drawer…so these will be the last two for a while anyway, though it won’t be the end of my lingerie sewing.

First up, another thong. (And yeah, I am well aware that these didn’t press worth a damn.) 😦

I made a few changes. These have about 1/2″ less rise, and I think I could go a bit more if I wanted to be really picky. I also slimmed up the crack strap, because I thought I might like them a bit better that way. This was also my first time of using fold over elastic (FOE) in its intended manner. It’s not too bad, but heaven help you if you goof up your quartering!

Next up we have a version of View B.

I made a couple changes to these too. I’m not sure what kind of woman these were drafted for, but my groin area isn’t anywhere near as wide as they assumed. I shaved about an inch and a half off the width, and I think I could realistically take about another 3/4″ off. We’ll have to see when they come out of the wash. I also made a note that I needed to increase the elastic length to accomodate the new bigger leg openings after the width adjustment was made–I’m guessing around 2″ per leg. Since I used the FOE for both waistband and leg openings, I trimmed off the seam allowances. We’ll see if I plan to trim down the waist even more or not.

Next up is either the HP Cupid Cami & Tap Pants or the Burda 11/2009 variation of same. I’ll have to look at pattern reviews for the HP pattern and see if I want to risk it.

Things that tick me off Thursday: Friday Edition

I’m a day late, sorry about that. 🙂

*The phrase “great specificity and detail”. Someone should do that *pop* thing upside Sean’s head every time he says it. Who knew you could have an entire 3 hour talk show using almost nothing but that phrase over and over again? And is “specificity” even a word?

*Sewing problems that inevitably crop up when sewing on a deadline, such as running out of thread and/or fit issues.

*Pinning my finger to the fabric on accident; it’s a wonder I have any skin left on my fingers!

I’m going to meet an old friend tonight for dinner and whatever else goes on. I haven’t seen her since her wedding like 2 years ago, so I’m pretty excited. I was hoping that I would be able to finish my t-shirt before I went out tonight, but as per usual when sewing on a deadline I ran into a snag. Two of them actually–see my list above. 😉

I’m off to get ready, happy stitching!

Jalie 2561 Update

So I’m totally finished with the pants now, even with the hems! (Blindhems scare the bejeebus out of me for some reason. :oops:) I was also having some trouble with getting the hook/eye closure that I used in place of the buttons, but I had to ask for help, feel really stupid, and then have one of those “Duh” moments to get it all finished up. Now they look really nice. They fit well too, as long as I make sure to wear my control top pantyhose (which I planned to do anyway), otherwise they don’t slide on as nicely as they could. They are plenty long, as you can see, but that’s my fault…I didn’t read, I just added 2″ that I didn’t need. It’s OK though, the extra deep hem makes them hang nicely. 🙂

So anyway, enough rambling. On to the good stuff! Pictures! 🙂

I’m so proud of these because they look almost as nice on the inside as they do on the outside. 🙂

Front View:

Up-close of the waistband: (They are unfastened, not crooked–I promise!)

I traced off the pattern pieces for the HotPatterns Once, Twice, Three Times a T-Shirt pattern. I was trying to whip it up so that I could wear it today for St. Patrick’s day, but it didn’t happen. I don’t think it should take more than a couple of hours to make, if I could just get a couple of uninterrupted hours of sewing! Ha! 😆 I should have it done tomorrow, and be well on my way of doing the New Look 6407 I mentioned the other day that I plan to have done by Easter. After that, I have to get to work on my sewing for charity, because Lent is almost over and I haven’t hardly started! 😮

New stuff for me!

I’m like a kid on Christmas morning when I get packages in the mail. So you can probably imagine my squeal of delight when I saw that I had not one, but TWO packages on my porch this afternoon when I got home! 😀 First up, I got some shoes–these shoes had given me fits in an effort to find them, but I’m SO glad that I didn’t give up, they are super cute!

Sofft Nova--darling, no?

While I won’t be receiving this next pair in the mail, I’m actually supposed to be getting these sometime this week (assuming they fit, feel, and look right):

Born Dream--too cute!

Anyway, the second package was from Fabric.com, containing my anniversary present. 🙂 Hubby is really starting to get the hang of buying gifts for me. It had some pretty black knit with silvery rose outlines on it (which I LOVE), some 9 oz. stretch denim (which was intended for my Jalie jeans), and the HotPatterns Riviera “Once, Twice, Three Times a T-Shirt” pattern (for the view with the frilly sleeves, of course!). Sadly, the denim is WAY too lightweight–I can’t believe that it’s really 9 oz. denim. 😦 I’m debating on whether to just chalk it up to experience and make it into a trial run of my pattern anyway, or if I should send it back. It’s free shipping to send it back, so that’s not a concern, but I do wonder about restocking fees and the like, so I’ll have to read their return policy a bit more carefully. They claim “no hassle returns” in bold print on nearly every page of their site, but then, so does everyone. 🙄

Right now I’m getting ready to sew up a muslin (using REAL muslin!) of NewLook 6407, view D. If it turns out, I have some black stretch satin that I think would look really nice paired with some “black” pearl buttons. If I like it enough, I may do a sleeveless version in some gorgeous blue plaid silk dupioni that I have.

Hope you have a great week! 🙂

What am I thinking?

After reading the Selfish Seamstress’ blog post about making her own jeans, I had to purchase that pattern. So now, I have 3 different jeans patterns to try out, (Vogue 8202, Jalie 2908, and HotPatterns 1036) and not nearly enough courage to bite the bullet. I’m also not sure about the proper degree of stretch denim to use so that they don’t threaten to drop to my ankles by noon. Seems like that’s the problem I’ve had with every pair of RTW stretch jeans that I’ve ever purchased. If only I’d have kept any of them so that I could look and see the fabric content so that I know to avoid that ratio. *sigh* Anyone else have that problem with jeans that stretch too much during the course of the day and you wonder whether you are about to be put in an embarrassing situation?

I also got a nice little “present” from my hubby yesterday. He really knows me well. 🙂

Isn’t that the cutest little sleeve board ever? 🙂 He got it from a store in a neighboring town where they have several of these that are handmade by local people. The people around here are very crafty and make a lot of their own things, which is different, but sometimes in a cool way. 🙂