I bought some new summer bottoms a few weeks ago because my non-jeans drawer was a bit empty except for shorts I don't like wearing to work. (It has been about 10 years since I've needed anything but jeans at work because I have been working inside where others set the ac to meat locker temperatures.) Of course, everything I bought seems to need some sort of alteration.
This pair of capris (actually more of a toreador length, but everything that isn't shorts or full length pants is always labeled capris these days) was 7.5" too long and just pulled everything down visually. I prefer more pedal-pushers length just below my knee - keeps me from looking squatty.
I've held on to a favorite old pair that no longer fits (someday I plan to make a pattern from them) and I decided to copy the hem detail with a twill draw-string. It's a nice detail that keeps a straight leg from looking too big because it can be drawn up slightly.
I chopped off my new pair leaving an inch and a half for turning. Then I turned & pressed, stitched some buttonholes for the drawstrings, and inserted the drawstrings before stitching the final hem. Then I pulled the drawstrings as tightly as I could before spreading it back out to where I wanted it and tied bows. So much better!
It was 108°F today and felt like 115° - August-temps are early and brutal this year. (Last summer was wonderfully cool compared to normal.) I need to hurry up and alter the other summer pants I bought!
#alterations
I spent the day priming things for paint and then I remembered to shoot a quick video. #SewingStudioBuild
I started cutting all the edges while Janet was away yesterday morning. When she got back after lunch, she pulled out a roller and started filling in. I'll put a pic below in the comments. #SewingStudioBuild
We broke for lunch and then came back with a portal ac unit plugged in to an extention cord from the house. Can't wait until they finished hooking up all the electrical and we have the mini split cooling the room for us - it was stupid humid today! #SewingStudioBuild
Why do you have to be so pretty, brocade? I love you, but you are so fussy to work with!
#derbydress
I made a rub-off dress... the only change I made was to increase the width of the waistband from 2" to 3", which I am more-or-less satisfied with. I'd do a few things, construction-wise, differently next time, but this is an easy, comfortable dress.
The original is from Talbots.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had something to show, but I’m finally getting the pictures up! Both of these were from the Paloma pattern in the Itch to Stitch “Sew Beautiful” book. I did the top first to test the pattern, and tried to add some length to the sleeves, since 3/4 length only works here about 3 to 4 days of the year! I apparently underestimated the length I needed to add, but I had to cut crosswise even to add this much, so I couldn’t have done more.
For the dress, I did add more sleeve length (slightly overestimated this time). I also added ties to the neck and pockets, though in retrospect, I probably should have put them in higher. Based on the shirt, I’d thought putting them in the top part would be too high. So I inserted them in the first ruffle layer and it is maybe a bit too low.
Overall, though, I think this was a worthwhile pattern to play with.
