I Sewed Something. (And This Post Comes with Photos.)

If you are intrigued by pics of me wearing stuff I've made, then you're going to be all into the next couple of posts.

Recently, I alluded to the fact that, over the past couple of weeks - with the awareness that most of my sew-jo is going to be spent on the tailored Spring Suit - to spend a bit of time each evening prepping a couple of "simple" sewing projects. (Note: Is it just me or is nothing actually simple?)

I decided on a new version of the Tiramisu in navy wool jersey and another pair of the Kwik Sew denim leggings, as I'd already sorted out fitting for both of them. Alas, you know that every fabric is its own mysterious experience, so I might as well not have considered myself safe on fit.

Anyway, everything was going well: One night I'd prep fabric. Next night, review the pattern. Next few nights, cutting fabric. You know, really "sensible" style. And then I got sick and a crap-load of cut up fabric sat on the floor of my sewga room driving me nuts. Does your sewing ever taunt you?

Finally, today I felt better enough to sew, and sew I did.

First up, photos of denim leggings (long-winded story on ridiculous fit issues to follow, below):

FYI, I realize they are marginally too tight. That's part of the story... Also, they haven't had any chance to stretch - as they always do!

I find this photo inexplicably humorous. I'm like a kindergarten teacher in skin-tight denim.

Here I am, working my sex-ay. Note, however, my cool styling with the boots. It's double zippers!

Scott called this one "Canadian Gothic" and I had to include it - in all it's wan-ness - because it really does show you how I feel. This pic is saying: I'm fucking tired of this winter. No one does pallor like me.

OK, on with the story...

I bought the denim with S when we went fabric shopping recently. It's REALLY nice. Alas, it has (maybe) 10 per cent stretch. My other Kwik Sew (3807) denim leggings were made with very stretchy denim (like practically yoga material) and so, last year, I fitted the large-fitting pattern to that fabric. Well, when first I tried on one basted leg of these (which is to say "attempted to get them over my ankles") I suspected it wasn't going to be an easy sew.

I spent the first 2 hours absolutely certain I was wasting my time. The only reason I kept going is because I have a kid who's a bit smaller than me - and because I wanted to sew.

How I "fixed" things:

• The SAs are serged to 1/4" - 1/8", depending on where you look. And then reinforced!
• As a result, I had to cut the SAs on the zippers, and fray check them. Interesting side-note: The zips are 2 diff lengths (7" and 8") and I don't care! I kept it that way on purpose and I think it's weird and subversive. Plus, you really can't tell the difference unless I hold both legs up to you, exactly at the same height and tell you where to look.
• I wouldn't have bothered with the zippers - which took a LONG time to figure out in light of my sizing plight - but I knew it was the only way I'd be able to get these things on and off. Note to reader: I NEVER have to worry about inserting zippers to give room for my calves. So it gives you some idea of what I was working with.

Not a fix - but before I cut this, I did lengthen the waistline by 1 inch as my previous pair was muffin-y low. Alas, it ain't enough! I have decided that I hate anything more than a cm below my navel and I don't need to pretend otherwise. From now on, I'm making everything high forever! First thing I did after finishing the pants was to go to the pattern and add another inch to the waist height.

Note: Even though denim with a stretch waistband is not art, it's a very good solution when you don't feel like buttoning. Especially if it goes up high enough.

While there's pulling in the crotch right now, I'm actually fairly convinced it's going to stretch out. I've never had a pair of pants that didn't get too big in that area after wearing a couple of times.

On the plus side, I've refined this pattern still further and I continue to be happy with my original crotch length and depth alterations, made a year ago. And I've determined that I much prefer it with a stiff denim, all things being equal. So maybe, next time, I cut a version with an extra 1 inch seam allowance. Note that these are made in the size small - and I mini-ed and changed them up still further to fit my shape.

So, whatcha think?