Making my own Jeans - the first three months....

My Original Jeans
Muslin Back

Muslin Front
I bought the craftsy class www.craftst.com jean-ius by Kennith d King on how to make jeans a while ago and have been making these for a while now. The first issue was that I bought the denim in a hurry so forgot to check if it had stretch in it like the jeans I was copying. so then I had to buy more denim. The next issue is the class - watching the class, even when you select as lower resolution still eats our broadband allowance. So I feel really guilty when I am watching the video. Also there is little in the way of written instructions, so I now have to rewatch the videos, as I've forgotten half of it! the photos above show the process to 'over stitch/baste on the seams' of the current jeans, then you make a copy onto organza, then you copy that onto a muslin and try it on. This is my third muslin fit. Of course in the meantime I've had no jeans, so finally unbasted these jeans to start wearing them again. The saga continues, as now I have realised I need a higher waist so will add some more material to the muslin and try and refit....

My 7 year knitting adventure

My black fluffy scarf is finally completed (don't you love our original carpet).  Obviously this one has taken a while. Its now out of my UFO (Unfinished object) pile and in my wardrobe. It struggled to finish this one, for a couple of reasons, firstly because for all the effort I was using a cheap acrylic wool and it didn't feel that nice to knit. Secondly because a stylist told me I didn't suit black that close to my face. Also I was knitting this when sad stuff was happening, and I kept remembering that when ever I saw it. But pleased to get it out of the way. Don't think I'll be buying any wool anytime soon, especially as the knitting needles have become swords for the 3 year old.

Mostly unpacked

I've finally got most of my sewing stuff unpacked. Still waiting to find room for my dress dummy, and my patterns.  I was going to go for shelves along the back wall, then decided to try using up what I had.

I did buy a trestle table for my sewing machine, and a rimu table with drop sides for my cutting out. Just need hubby to raise the table a bit more so I don't get a sore back from cutting out at a low level. Find the ironing board is at just the right height. 

Buzzy Bee trousers

I used a self drafted pattern to create these pajama bottoms for Mr F.  They are a good fit with room for a bit of leg growth. This was handed down fabric from my Mum. She had been using it to make bibs, and I'd been saving it for that as well. Unfortunately Mr F is now well over the bib stage so I thought I'd better use it up before it becomes unfashionable!

Don't feel any great need to fuss making a pajama top as he has lots of tee shirt tops to choose from at the moment.

Sewing weekend

I was lucky enough to go to the meet up fabric hoarders sewing weekend away a while ago.  It was a bit stressful packing up, had to tidy my sewing room first so only essential things came. Then my list of projects got too big and I left 4 of them behind. I did manage to get a skirt fixed, and  a summer a line skirt made. I also make a white tunic.

Suzanne arranged for us to decorate some bunting she had made and it hung up all weekend and made the whole place look fantastic. Emma from the Takahe bites  http://thetakahebites.wordpress.com/about/ 
was there along with 8 others and we had a great time. Of course was on a roll so no time to stop for photos

Cape challenge completed!

Finished my cape challenge. The Oliver & S red riding hood cape was so much fun to make. I made it slightly more complicated than necessary by making it reversable, and then having to rethread my machine about 6 times as I kept forgetting things!  I've already started cutting out my next cape, making it a medium size with a self drafted small hood, as the large cape fitted me rather than the age 6-10 it was designed for!  I had to put a red riding hood button on both sides that I bought especially from Stitchbird Fabrics (actually the buttons were the inspiration). So here it is.

All cut out and ready to sew. Its a crushed green cotton from Global Fabrics, and a red Cordroy that a friend gifted me.

The red side with the cute button.

 The fully reversable green side.

And to show its size in reality, modelled by Mr F age 3. (and no I could not get it to not rotate!).

craftsy the ultimate tee shirt 1

I'm very proud of actually finishing watching all of this class. I have yet to complete watching the "couture dress" (because really when am I going to spend that much time on something for me). Teh craftsy Kennith King "Jeanus make your own jeans" denimn material is now cushions which shows how unsuccessful that class was. (Maybe if I had actually made a pair of trousers before that may have helped)

I have cut pattern out then reviewed the instructions which I forgot had added in about 4 inches to the sleeves as you omitted a lower sleeve band. So it will be a 3/4 length sleeve. 

 This is me pin fitting the sides. Which were huge. I should probably have ripped out the neck band and resewn but kept thinking it had pressed out. Also had to add in back shoulder arm darts to stop the material being too bulky, but in reality once sewn they looked a bit strange (it can still be worn with a jacket). Also, managed to put the bust darts in too high, so it only looks good if you slouch your shoulders and pull the bottom tight.

 I liked the one inch hem and this was the first time I had used sewing adhesive, but it looks really good. I learnt a lot from the class, tried to make notes as I went. Next time I will make it short sleeved and try and perfect a tee shirt block from this.