The Sewing Sphere
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RTW capri pants alteration

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

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Just one more sleep 'til Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

If you're looking for something Christmasy to listen to/watch over the next few days, here's the most recent episode of my favorite podcast Blurry Creatures. It's a really fascinating (and nerdy) deep dive into the Biblical story of the Magi.

December 10, 2025

Two days after my son turned in his last paper for his bachelor's degree, I finished my shirt sewing project. Eight shirts, made to measure. Most of the fabrics are linen. Yes, regrettably you can tell exactly when I got my sewing machine repaired... but I hope these help him as he moves through his master's program and in life.

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November 28, 2025

We had a very quiet Thanksgiving, and I'm doing palate cleansers between the shirts in my shirt gift project, so I ran through the scrap pile and made myself an apron.

Aprons, IME, should be made of thicker fabrics in order to actually prevent splashes and stains from getting to your real clothes. Both of these were skirt leftover bits :)

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