Friday, February 22, 2013

When Bad Things Happen to Good Patterns...

Last weekend, as I labored over the Donna Karan dress that I blogged about yesterday, I decided to take a break to work on a quick and easy leggings project.

It was a disaster.


This easy legging project should have worked because:
  • This pattern (M 6173) has been a success for many other sewists.
  • I wear leggings all the time; the style seems to work on me.
  • My marble knit fabric is fun and suits this project. 
  • I've been having success with knits lately (here and here). 

So why are these leggings such a flop that my photographer refused to take photos "to protect the innocent"?

Well, let's just say some lessons need repeating before they are truly learnt. Shiny and clingy on my lower half is a no-go. And, somehow, the marble print not only emphasized every lump and bump but seemed to magically create the optical illusion of lumps and bumps were there were none.

On top of it, the pattern truly does run large. The fit got all wonky because of how much I tried to take these leggings in. Honestly, I need to go down 2 sizes, which means a different pattern envelope.

All's not lost on these. I'm still planning on giving them a go in my non-shiny faux leather once I grade down or suck it up and buy the smaller pattern envelope. And this fabric will be recut and used as a muslin.So, hopefully I will eek a win out of this experiment.

What else is there to say but you live, you learn? I hope you all have a great weekend! 

16 comments:

Julianne Siadek said...

That's a shame! My first time making leggings, I used an existing pair as a go-by. Since then I've developed my own pattern, and I have sooooo many leggings at this point. So keep your chin up and try again!

Clio said...

Thanks! Yeah, I'm thinking that knocking off my favorite pair might be a better way to go.

sheila said...

Sorry about your leggings, but we all live and learn from our projects. Looking forward to your faux leather leggings.... Have a Great Weekend.

Lisette said...

Did you not learn from my gold leggings? This pattern is evilness. Granted, I salvaged mine. It's too bad you didn't like how they looked on you though...live and learn, right?

Faye Lewis said...

Sorry about the leggings. I made that pattern once, and it does run really large.

Amanda said...

Oh no! I had exactly the same problem with these leggings- waaaaay too big! There is a great Etsy blog tutorial on drafting your own. It works a treat. Good luck with your next pair :)

Clio said...

Yeah. See in the end you salvaged them. And you had me at gold. So, I was thinking, what's the worst that could happen? LOL

Jean said...

Great attitude -- the experiment is definitely a win! Can't wait to see a faux leather version -- should be fab!

Tanit-Isis Sews said...

D'oh! When Syo's leggings were too big, I took a big tuck down the middle of the pattern piece. Ok, maybe a 2cm tuck. They fit pretty well now. But there was not much saving the too-big versions... :(

theperfectnose said...

Eh sorry to hear that. I avoid McCall's due to the 'largeness'. If you use leggings a lot I'd suggest Jalie. The sizing/ fit is like RTW and it contains women's and children's sizing in the same pattern. They're goshdarned expensive here but totally worth it. I've made 3 pairs from mine and all fit well despite being made in different types of knit..

Clio said...

Jalie... good suggestion! They do have pretty realistic sizing.

Clio said...

Yeah, a seam down the outseam could help with the fit, but sadly not with the fabric.

I wonder if it's that they are not really designed for the very stretchy knits we have these days.

poppykettle said...

Bummer. Fabric choice really is critical - so many things I've seen that could have benefitted from a more prudent fibre choice! Ah well :(

Suzanne said...

I had a similar situation with another McCall's legging pattern — one that called for double-knit (and I actually used the recommended fabric, so for once I was not to blame!). The legs were huge but the back rise was cut for someone with no butt. Go figure!

Ginger said...

Ewww, gross! How unfortunate! :(

Clio said...

Gross is the perfect word for it. LOL