Tuesday 30 October 2007

#18 Black stripe culottes done

#18 Black stripe culottes are now done and I will try to post a picture.
I followed the construction methods from Threads August/September 2005 'Sew Clothes that keep on fitting' - this is how to construct garments so they are easier to alter as you lose weight.

My construction order was as follows
Sew fronts together, attach front facing.
Sew back darts, insert invisible zipper in centre back and sew up rest of back crotch, attach back facing in two sections.
Sew side seams through facing pieces in one seam - this is where the alterations will come in future.
Sew inside leg seams, hem and hand stitch facings in place.

the resulting culottes/gauchos/wide leg cropped pants fit beautifully which is a happy accident of a TNT pattern.

I'm now just hoping I was in hoarding mode rather than declutter mode when I cut them out, and have kept the scraps - because matching waistcoat (vest) fronts with satin back would be lovely and make a nice fashionable little outfit.

More alterations

Yesterday I managed some alterations, adding elastic into the back waist of two pairs of pants, and altering a third by several inches.
I think tonight I will work a little on another of the UFOs - #18 Black stripe culottes.

Sunday 28 October 2007

Some projects may die

Its hard for me to admit, but some of my UFOs are going to have to be either trashed or reinvented as some completely new item.
This is largely due to poor fabric choice, ugly fabric or out of fashion styles.
I'll try to do before and after pics of any in this category which are salvageable.

I also have a big pile of alterations and a few small mending jobs too. Today I managed a hand stitched trouser hem, sewing on a button and a new kitchen tablecloth so all is not lost!

I need to take in the centre back on some RTW pants - a usual alterations for me - and various other smaller projects.