Sweatpants in disguise

As I wrote in an earlier post I purchased some patterns from Stoff och stil. Among those was a pattern for skinny trousers.

I had some black sweatshirt fabric that I found at a sale this summer and I thought why not use it for a pair of trousers?! So I did. I could even cut out a dress from the same piece of fabric (1.6*2 metres!).

I am very inspired by the clothes from House of Lola and they're all so soft and comfortable and that's where I got the idea to use sweatshirt fabric for the trousers, because all their clothes are loungewear in disguise! I love when clothes are fashionable and beautiful but also comfortable.

It was so easy to sew up the trousers. I mostly used my overlocker and the sewing machine for the topstitching. I didn't cut the waistband out of the sweatshirt fabric, because it would have been too bulky, so instead I cut it from some ribbed jersey fabric. Speaking of the waistband, that's where I have my only problem with these trousers. I don't have a big rear, but somehow I always find trousers that are too low in the back waist, same with these. They fit OK as long as I don't move, but as soon as I do, they creep downwards in the back and I keep having to hoist them up. Quite annoying! Maube I'll make a yoke piece to put between the trouser and the waistband in the back. Any thoughts out there?

See? Lower in the back then the front. Very uncomfortable...

Detail of the topstitiching on the leg.

Anyway, the trousers will be warm and cosy for autumn and winter and they will go as trousers with sweaters and as leggings under dresses. Win-win, right?!

Bye for now,

Johanna

Slender pencil trousers from Burdastyle x 2

Lately I've been sewing a lot trousers it seems, maybe not a lot, but at least two pair and one pair of shorts too. I've been chasing a TNT pattern for slim trousers and I finally found one!

Perfect slim trousers!

Source: burdastyle.com via Johanna on Pinterest

I had been thinking about these trousers from Burdastyle for a while, but didn't think it would be any use to try since I'm a size EU46 and they only go up to EU44. But after making the pattern below in size EU46 and they turned out way too big, I thought I might give it a go.

Turned out oh so big, not tight in one place...

Source: burdastyle.com via Johanna on Pinterest

So I made two pairs in denim fabric, dark blue and neon pink!

I know there are some wrinkles and stuff in the back, but I don't care, I'm super happy with my new trousers! The blue ones turned out a bit too big at first so I took them in down the sides 1-4 centimetres. On the pink pair I overdid it a bit and they turned out too tight... But that's fixed too now!

The alerations I made was to add 7 centimetres to the length (the patterns in Burdastyle are made for women of 168 cm and I'm 175 cm) and instead of adding 1 cm seam allowance I added 1,5 cm. I also put exposed zippers in the back instead of invisible zippers in the side. I tried two different techniques for that which was fun.

This is technique one!

Yes, the trousers are cat inspected and cat approved! :)

Zipper technique two!

For the first zipper I used this video tutorial by FashionSewingBlogTv. For the second zipper I used a tutorial from Pattern Runway. Both tutorials were excellent!

What I like especially about this Burdastyle pattern is that the waist is kind of high, I have figured out that I prefer high-waisted trousers. For the second pair, the neon pink one, I raised the waist even more in the back, about 2 cm.

Anyway, I would totally recommend this pattern, just remember that the trousers aren't as slim as they look in the photo on Burdastyle. What are you working on?

Bye for now,

Johanna

Cropped trousers for spring

I've been wanting to make these trousers ever since I got the sewing magazine (Swedish sewing magazine Sömnadsmagasin). In the magazine they were made in hot pink cotton stretch sateen, which looked fan-tastic! I've been looking for some similar fabric, but decided to use to denim stretch fabric from my stash instead (that's what you do when you're short on cash! :( ). Well, at least they will be my entry in the Stashbusting sewalong! Yay!

They were quite fun to put together and it actually took me two days to finish them (instead of my usual one-day garments). The only majot problem I had was putting in the invisible zipper. I've never had any trouble with those before, so I'm not sure what happened this time.

I cut a size EU46, but I probably could have gone with 44 because I took them in about 3 cm on each side seam from the hip down. In retrospect I could have taken them in at the waist too, because they have stretched out a bit after wearing them for a day.

I also got my first try at welt pockets, although they're fake. Looks kind of neat though! :)

I used some quilting cotton for the pockets and the inside of the waistband. I also only had a green invisible zipper, but I like colour so I'm happy with that.

I put a hook and eye above the zipper. The waistband isn't exactly even at the zipper, but I'm OK with that, not a perfectionist... :)


I hope I will make some similar trousers in a happy colour, like green or pink, soon. That would be very spring-y!

(Mostly) Burdastyle slim stretch trousers (plus size)

I am finally feeling a lot better, after having the flu for over a week. Today three quarters of our family were back in business as usual, work, school, daycare, but Mr Red (my husband) still isn't felling well... :(

Everything went smoothly this morning even though I had to drop off both kids, the only mishap was that I totally forgot to put on make-up. Good thing I refreshed my permanent make-up (eyebrow and upper eyeliner) a few weeks ago, so I don't look like a ghost without make-up. :)

Don't my eyebrows look good?! I'm not wearing any make-up in this photo.

I just have to say, if someone with Alopecia reads this, that permanent make-up is DA SHIT! It is so relieving to know that your eyebrows won't go away if you scratch your face. And the eyeliner is always in place. It isn't really permanent, it depends on what skin type you have, but it can last up to five years. My skin is kind of oily and my eyebrows lasted from Nov 2011 until about now, Jan 2013, so just over a year. When I had them refreshed now, we used a darker colour, so hopefully they will last longer this time. It's quite expensive, but totally worth it for the security they give. This is where I go: Make me up. Maria who does the permanent make-up is very good and so nice.

Ok, enough with the make-up.... Let's have a look at the trousers I made a few weeks ago. I have mentioned them several times and here they are...

They are high-waisted, just the way I like them, and have slim legs. I used a stretchy fabric, I think it's polyester, but it's quite comfortable.

 

I see now, in the photos, that there wrinkles on the back of the thighs, which there shouldn't be it you have a good fit. But I don't know, it doesn't bother me that much, at least they fit well over my behind! Or what do you think, any opinions?

This is something I wonder about, what does this mean? Are the trousers too big in the front, should I lower the waistline, do something about the crotch (eek!) fit? Or do they look ok if you look at the other photos?

Here's the zipper, of the invisible kind, and also my label :).

I really like these trousers because  1) they are high-waisted (SO comfy), 2) they have slim legs (stylish) and 3) they're stretchy. I really recommend the pattern Stretch trousers (plus size) from Burdastyle.

 I made EUsize 46 which is the size I normally wear in trousers and maybe they're a tad big, but they're very comfortable. Since the pattern is made for women of 168 cm I lengthened it by 7 cm (I'm 175 cm) which was perfect. The waistband is a bit on the narrow side and I'm thinking of changing that for my next pair. Yep! Already have another pair in mind. I will use denim fabric and take inspiration from my favourite pair of jeans. Maybe a pair in black too.... Already have some great fabric.

Anyway, what do you think of the fit, any thoughts?

Bye for now,

Johanna

Sewing is healthy for you! More Burdastyle jersey trousers

Wooah?! Two posts in one day? By me, who have been complaining about the curse of the flu for ages now? What is going on? Well, after this morning's post I did have some more energy than before so I decided to cut out the fabric for the Burdastyle jersey trousers.

I also started sewing together the Kirsten kimono tee from yesterday and once I got started at the sewing machine and the overlocker, why stop?! So I sewed up the jersey trousers too, I skipped the side pockets on this pair and that made it an even faster finish. I didn't finish the tee-shirt, still have to finish the bottom hem.

I even mended my old black and white striped t-shirt where the twin seam had come undone. And I put my label on a few of my latest makes. I also had an idea for a new banner for the blog. Yay!

And this is why I say: Sewing is healthy for you!!!!! This afternoon I've finally had some energy and haven't felt like I will always be a zombie/Ozzy Osbourne (that's what Mr Red calls me when I'm tired...:)) and it's all because of sewing (and maybe a little because I seem to be well from the flu...).

Ok, here's some proof that I'm not just making this up/having feverish flu dreams about sewing :).

 I've also realised,seeing these photos, that I have to get a tripod for my camera. These photos are taken by my son, 6 years old, and while it's charming that he wants to help me, the photos pretty much suck. I can't even show the ones he took of only the trousers, because somehow he made my butt look twice as big as it really is....:/ Anyway I'm thinking gorilla pod for the camera, they seem very handy since you can bend them and hang them pretty much anywhere. They're not too expensive either.

So, finally, I'm actually feeling better!

Be back soon,

Johanna

PS. The Burdastyle trousers are a part of the Copycat challenge by Erin @ i heart fabric. Let me show you my inspiration.

Source: houseoflola.se via Johanna on Pinterest

The light at the end of the tunnel...

This has been (or still is) the worst case of the flu that I have ever had. It started last Friday, today is Saturday NINE DAYS later, and I still don't feel good. Urgh!

The positive thing is that the kids are well and I do see the light at the end of the tunnel, yesterday I actually had some energy to cut out the fabric for my Kirsten kimono tee using a me-made tunic I don't wear. AND I lengthened the pattern for the Burdastyle jersey trousers.

Source: burdastyle.com via Johanna on Pinterest

I wear the pair I have a lot, but I'm not 100% happy with them and I want another pair so I've already got me some teal jersey. For the last pair I only lengthened the leg-cuffs, but this time I have lengthened the trousers pieces (the Burdastyle patterns are for women of 168 cm, and I'm 175 cm).

Here are the Burdastyle jersey trousers I made back in Nov/Dec.

I've also decided to join Erin's of "I heart fabric" Copy cat challenge. Hop on over and see what it's about and maybe join in you too! :) Fortunately there's no time limit on this challenge. My plan is to make another pair of Burdastyle trouser like these (still haven't blogged about my first pair, but it's coming, promise!):

Source: burdastyle.com via Johanna on Pinterest

But this time i will make them out of denim and add pockets and stuff to make them more jeans-like. My inspiration is my favourite pair of jeans which I bought last summer.

Sorry about this horrible photo. And I'm glad to say I've lost a few pounds since it was taken. :)

 

Anyway, so much for my sewing plans, my first goal is to get rid of this highly annoying and energy-consuming flu.

What are your sewing plans right now?

'Til next time,

Johanna

Loungewear

Lasst week I wrote about making up these jersey trousers from Burdastyle.com. I was very inspired by a pair of trousers I've seen on the House of Lola site. I thought they wouldn't take long to finish and they didn't!

Source: burdastyle.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Source: houseoflola.se via Johanna on Pinterest

I cut the fabric yesterday late afternoon and was finished by 7.30pm. I made some changes to the pattern. Since most Burdastyle patterns go up to size EU44 I doubted that the trousers would fit since I'm more of a size EU46. So I compared the pattern pieces tto another pattern I had to see what I should change. I decided to add 4 cm to the sides both on back and front pieces. I also made the leg cuffs a little longer, originally the were 19 cm but I made them 25 cm (I have pretty long legs and HATE too short trousers). I also made the waistband a little wider, 10 cm instead of 7 cm (do not feel comfortable in too lowcut trousers).

 

 

I'm happy with the trousers, they're very comfy! But I think I wouldn't have had to add those 4x4 cm, because they are bigger than I had expected, and that's even after taking them in  4-5 cm in the front and back. well, it's a lesson learned if I make them again. I was lazy though and didn't pre-wash the fabric, so maybe they will shrink a little when I wash them.

Here are the trousers combined with my Casual cardi from Ottobre. I feel that I look good even though I'm only lounging about at home in my loungewear... :)

Anyway, I totally recommend the pattern from making some stylish sweat pants.

BTW, we had a really lousy weekend last weekend (away from home and Little Red got really ill, had to visit the emergency room, she could hardly breathe because of a bad case of tonsillitis caused by streptococci, which she later transferred to me, hello tonsillitis!) but before everything tirned ugly I had time to visit a fabric store close to my sister's house. I found some great fabric for only £3/metre. I bought six different fabrics, a total of 14 metres! And some really cheap zippers too. Yay! (Little Red is way better now, and me too, after getting some lovely penicillin. That stuff rocks! BUT you mustn't overuse it so the bacteria become immune.)

Bye for now,

Johanna