Sucking it Up...

I started on trousers... Sadly I didn't finish them, I am still doing said trousers and as I anticipated trousers and me do not mix well.

I've spent over two days on fitting and combined with Uni work thats why its been so quiet over here! I warn you this post has highly unflattering angles of my body in.

I tried out the Lisette Portfolio pants. Nice narrow leg. I cut an 18 and depressingly they were way too tight on the hips and top thigh area but baggy at the knee.

I decided to cut a new pair and extend each side seam 2.5in.

Urgh here they are at the side.

The Butt was not much better...

So I set about cutting a new pair increasing by 2.5 on the side seams and lowering the crotch.

You guessed it. They were then too big! So I spent ages tailoring them to my body with lots of jabbing myself with pins.

Eventually I created a new pattern piece from one side and heres the second side! Look at all that excess!

I cut them down and they now fit much better although once they are hemmed they will be a tiny bit short and I need to make the crotch a bit higher again as it was way too low once it was altered. I also had trouble putting in the waistband but I will finish this!

I am determined to have a TnT trousers pattern if it kills me! Which at this stage seems likely...

This post is one of two parts...

We went on a fabulous trip to London Today for the Sew Weekly blogger meetup! I have to say I think It could be the most fun I have ever had ever! We met at the V&A all in our themed outfits... Went to the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition and then onwards to Goldhawk Road where the real fun began. We met up with the Goldhawk Road group who were with Karen and then proceeded to do the pattern swap... Ok so there may be more than two parts to my story as so much happened in one day.
After the swap it was shopping time and this my friends is where I will be starting the story... At the end...
Sort of.
I spent more than I had planned but got far more than I had expected and even crossed off multiple things on my list (Yes I wrote a list!) I was glad I took shopping bags with me. It was a nice mix of cheap and cheerful, mid range and "I would never spend £40 on silk jersey" kind of range.

I did end up with lots of prints again but as they are for a range of uses I'm letting myself off. I could have gone more crazy trust me.

But I got fabric for two skirts, two trousers, one cardigan and six tops (one being a shirtdress type deal.) I think if I got my butt into gear all the Me Made Months in the future would be pretty much covered!

Because this is such a picture heavy post I'm going to do it in order of garment. So first up is the skirts.

The awesome skull pansy print has been used in Topshop and is a sort of stretch cotton sateen. Really yummy and I think it could make a great "Paper Bag" Skirt. The wool tweed is a Raspberry and sky blue with white, hard to photograph but it reminded me of something from Joules and I think this could make a very wearable pencil skirt.

Next up are the trousers. After my disappointment from Croftmill I was determined to get some coloured twills so I could make up some bottoms, The purple was £4pm and the green £3.50.

This was the fawn coloured Jersey for the cardigan. I need a neutral colour although I could have done with picking up more Jerseys, I seem to be very fussy when it comes to the handle and this was the only one priced right for the quality. I had hoped to get some yellow but for some reason it never happened. I might fit a cowl top out of this too!

Finally onto the tops...

These are all cotton and the final one is a Liberty Lawn. The shirtdress is the raspberry gingham. The dobby spot is a duck egg blue like the cotton from Ditto, sadly I didn't come across any white! Did you recognise the green circles? I bought this silk cotton at £7.99pm at Ditto in pink, Goldhawk £5! The mustard colour is super light and might have to line something but it was £1 pm and the hot pink print is wonderful I think this could make a good pendrell prehaps?

Ladies, I would love to say a huge thankyou to everyone that went today. You were all charming and great fun and I can't wait until the next time!

More photos of the day to come!

Always get samples...

Sorry no sewing again today! Frantically trying to finish two pieces of work so I can enjoy my Birthday stress free on Monday. But my Twills from Croftmill arrived today

remember I showed you the moodboard with a Coral colour and a Limey Pea green?

Well this is what arrived,

A light army green and a peachy colour. The Coral is actually pretty true and fine for the cropped trousers or shorts I had in mind but neither are great feeling fabrics. I'm hoping a few spins in the wash will help soften them up.

I don't really fancy army green straight leg jeans so I will have to re-think. I'm wondering about a structured 1940's style? Its slightly pukier than in this pic. If it was forest greeny it would be fine!

Built By Wendy Patterns WHERE ARE YOU?!

Evening my lovelies (or various other time specific greeting!)

I know my pattern wants are beyond ridiculous! But I have seen these awesome Simplicity Built By You patterns for comfy everyday wear. As you all well know, It is not unusual for me to covet whole sets of patterns (Take the Lisette ones for example.)
But I can't find these anywhere for sale in the UK.

Granted the Simplicity UK site is down for maintenance, but still nowhere else is selling them!
This could be an indifferent moan if the Simplicity UK site has them but nevertheless!

Bask in the cuteness with me people! My birthday is coming up soon! Prehaps Mummy and Daddy will take pity on me,

I mean who doesn't need a Peter Pan Collared dress?! I mean Really!

A change of heart. A change of mind... Of Pants

Here is a few of the inspirational coloured straight legged trousers even Michelle Obama is doing it!

Does anyone have any advice on good straight leg trouser patterns for the curvy among us.

I have a craving to test my sewing skills with trousers soon. Here is a few different fabrics I liked that are trouser weight.

I have bought McCalls 5142 but it is one of those ones patterns that just looks uncool in most of the versions on the packet.

I bought this coral pale pinky twill. Not quite the colour I wanted but I thought it would be fine to practise on.

How has everyone elses handmade trousers gone?

Post 100!

I wish I had an exiting garment to show you all for my 100th post. But Alas due to uni I do not.

I hope to get some sewing done when I finish this presentation. Hopefully by this afternoon.
But my procrastinating skills have been at work yet again and I am blogging not working!

I decided on a look but not touch policy on patterns until after I have been to Barcelona. So I thought I would give you a few pics of what I have been looking at
Today they are relating to New Look Patterns.
I've never been that much of a New Look fan. My first pattern was New Look and although it turned out ok. It wasn't the most stylish thing I have ever made. They seemed to have turned a corner since then and I love looking at their grouped seperates patterns.

As we all know I have a problem in that I love dresses and pattern and what my wardrobe needs is separates and plain ones! Their little tops are lovely for spring and summer.

And look! Cardigans! I think this could help me hone in my non existent skills with jersey knits... What do you think?