Replies

1. 
   fabricholic | May 22, 2007 12:34am | #1

   What type of skirt was this?Marcy

1. 
   Tootsiebelle | May 22, 2007 03:47pm | #2

   A-line, front pleat, facing instead of waistband, shoulder straps, made from a red and white plaid, with every part of the plaid matched.  Why do you ask?  :-)

1. 
   fabricholic | May 22, 2007 04:23pm | #3

   Just curious. Pretty big task to match all the plaid.

1. 
   Tootsiebelle | May 22, 2007 07:31pm | #4

   Yes, lots of pins.  Especially that long ago.  Notions have come a long way since then.  What kind of sewing do you do?

1. 
   fabricholic | May 22, 2007 07:54pm | #5

   The most productive is sewing for my 2 year old grand daughter. I want to sew for myself, but the altering of the patterns get in the way. I have tons of ideas and little time, (as most of us). I want to sew some shorts for myself, for the summer and pants and tops for work.Marcy

2. 
   Tootsiebelle | May 22, 2007 08:20pm | #6

   Congrats on the grandbaby; she's probably the best dressed baby around.  I bet you spoil her!  :-) 

   About a year and a half ago I decided to be brave and try out my Bonfit patterner that I'd bought several years earlier.  I dusted it off and made slacks for myself to wear to work.   Had made some adjustments during the process, and as a result have 3 slightly different patterns.  Am not totally happy with the outcome,and while it may be due, in part, to operator error, the major problem is middle age spread!  As you know, here in The South, natural fibers are best.  I prefer cotton for slacks; I used twill and also linen/rayon mix.  I don't mind the ironing, but they wrinkle so quickly.  By the time I get to work, I have lap wrinkies; and it doesn't matter how loose the pants are.  I guess it's just the nature of the beast.  What do you use for slacks and shorts?  Yes, I can relate to the time factor being a problem.  

   Edited 5/22/2007 1:21 pm ET by Tootsiebelle

3. 
   fabricholic | May 22, 2007 10:40pm | #7

   I do love that baby girl. As for the shorts, I made some with cotton/lycra or something and lycra. I already had the material from a while back. I have some red denim with some stretch that I want to use, also. The first ones were kind of a small check, white with olive green. They fit perfect in the front and are baggy under my behind. I added to the pattern in the back and I am wondering if I should have left it alone. I want to use some heavy cotton knit for some draw string shorts to kick around in and for my pants, I have some tencel and poly for the pants. I have also, started looking at twill for some shorts. Have you read the article in Threads about material selection for pants? It is very good. They did say that linen tends to look baggy, I think, can't remember, but they didn't like to use it for pants. If I just get a good pattern to fit, I will be happy. Drawstring shorts shouldn't be a problem, though.Marcyp.s. Please fill out your profile, so that we can learn more about you.

   Edited 5/22/2007 3:42 pm by fabricholic

4. 
   Tootsiebelle | May 23, 2007 08:30pm | #8

   I can tell that you’ve been very industrious.  You may be right about adding to the pattern; I did that and I think it was a mistake, too.  And I did it to an elastic waist style pant; so you may want to consider that before making the drawstring shorts, so you don’t run into the same problem.  I’d figured it was faster to make 2 pair (black slacks) at a time, since both machines (my beloved Bernina 1130 and my Elna serger) were threaded with the right color.  As a result, I have 2 pair with the same problem.   Do you happen to recall which issue of Threads has the fabric selection article?  I’d like to look it up.  Thanks.

   Prior to using the Bonfit patterner, I’d always worn a more tailored look in slack.  I searched all my old issues of Threads for articles on pants fitting before I even began to try drafting a pattern. I figured I’d start with something simple – elastic waist, and with pockets inset in the side seams.  The seamline between the pocket and the pant is not in line with the side seam; instead it falls inside the pocket, as it is inset into the side seam by 5/8”; the point of this was to avoid a seam line right at the edge of the pocket opening, and the mis-shaping that goes along with it.   I like the pegged look at the ankle, and on one pair I fashioned a fabric loop, folded to a point, and inset it in the outer side seam.  Sewed a button onto the leg for the loop to go around; it made a nice detail at the ankle.  I may try using the same technique on another pair, and adding a like detail at the pockets. 

   I think it’s time to take run at drafting another pattern.  Maybe I can get a few of the kinks out.   

   I haven’t sewn on tencel, in fact, been away from sewing for too long, and hadn’t heard of it till reading your post.  Thanks for opening my eyes to it; I can see many uses for it.   It appears to be ideal for athletic wear, as well as for comfortable daywear.  What types of garments have you used it for, if any, besides slacks, and what do you like / dislike about the fabric?  Is there a large color selection? Have you found it in any of the brick-and-mortars?

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   I get to the main profile, but that’s all I find.  Will have to try again later.

   <!----> <!---->

   Toots

5. 
   fabricholic | May 23, 2007 10:06pm | #9

   The article about fabric selection in pants is in this month's magazine. I don't know about actual stores carrying the Tencel, but you can check on fashionfabricsclub.com and you can see that they have all kinds. Also, do a google search to learn more about it. I like it because it is so soft and, to my taste, it's pretty. I haven't made anything with it, yet. I have had ready to wear garments made out of it.Marcy

6. 
   Tootsiebelle | May 23, 2007 10:17pm | #10

   Marcy,

   Thanks for the info on the article (I must have missed it when I glanced through the issue; I'll find it when I have time to read in-depth), and also on Tencel.  Enjoy your day, and happy sewing.

   Toots