Pants Reveal/Review: Simplicity 2700

Over Labor Day weekend, I finished my pants with hand sewn hems, and I am wearing them today! Woo hoo hoo! Here I am heading out the door this morning, all styled for work.

I was running a bit late, so Phin had to take "action shots"

Me, pre-java

Final Outcome: I LOVE these pants. They are comfy and (IMHO) look great on; I could not wait even one day to wear them. But how should I review the pattern? I started with the Simplicity 2700 Amazing Fit Pants pattern, but after 4.5 muslins and multiple rounds of changes, is it really fair to review this pattern? The pants look like what came out of the envelope style-wise, but they are only distantly related fit-wise. However, there is a lot to like about the Simplicity Amazing Fit line of patterns: separate pieces for slim, average, and curvy fit help you start from a better place, one inch seam allowances leave lots of room for making adjustments, and on this particular pattern the shape of the leg is flattering and the pocket styling is nice, too. That said, Simplicity's instructions are not always 100% clear, although I found these to be ok. That said, I didn't bother to use their zipper or waistband procedures. The end result is that I think (fingers crossed) that I may finally have a TNT pants pattern. We'll see how they sew up in my next two attempts...

Speaking of which, this weekend I also cut out all the pieces for my next two pants. Here are the details:

I am already sewing up a version in this light grey wool suiting bought at Metro Textiles last October. Kashi told me that the fabric is from the Loro Piana mill in Connecticut, and I believe him. The hand is beautiful and so far it is a dream to work with. I'm using a remnant of blue-grey pinstriped cotton for the pocketing and waistband facing. I'm lining these pants in a grey bemberger rayon.



And here is the darker grey Armani pinstripe fabric that my mom gave me for my last birthday, which is also cut and ready to go. I've decided to omit the hip pockets on this version of the pants, and instead am going to attempt to do back welt or bound pockets. Wish me luck, since this will be a new technique for me. I am also lining these pants. For the waistband facings and the pocketing, I'm using the pictured orange and brown cotton print. I've discovered that this is the perfect use for remnants of fabric from past projects. This fabric was left over from the clutch I made for Calliope, one of my very first projects.

It is also time to start amassing the materials for my Lady Grey Jacket. Muslin sewing will commence next week!

End of the Summer: Sewing Goals and Projects

I did far less sewing this summer than I had hoped. In fairness, travel, visiting family and work kept me out of the Craft Lounge more than I anticipated. So, with Labor Day now upon us, I feel like Autumn is coming and it is time to pack up the summer fabrics and set some goals for my autumn and early winter sewing. My sewing time is pretty limited, so I've decided to focus on three key projects. Here they are:

Lady Grey Coat in winter white

The Must Sew List:
First, pants will remain a priority, and my nearly finished pants will get finished this weekend. All they need is a hook and bar on the waistband, plus hemming. Then I will proceed to make several copies, with style and fabric variations. Three cheers for pants that fit!

Next, my "Unmentionable" Project - Now that I've amassed lingerie patterns, a good guide, some trim from my mystery box and a healthy dose of inspiration, I am ready to buy fabric and get going. I plan on starting with camis, slips and panties before I try a more difficult undertaking, like a bra.

KwikSew cami's and slips - my first planned lingerie project

Finally - and this is what I am most excited about at the moment and haven't told you about yet - every time I look at the Lady Grey coat by Colette Patterns (and I do visit it regularly on line) I find myself wondering if I am up to the challenge. I just love this pattern and think that the style is perfect for me. But it is rated "Advanced", which I am certainly not. So, I was thrilled to visit Gertie's blog recently and learn that she is organizing a Lady Grey Coat Sew-Along! So, there will be plenty of other sewistas, not to mention the fabulous Gertie herself, to fall back on for guidance, help and moral support. I ordered the pattern yesterday, and Gertie says that sewing should commence in mid-September. This will be a big project, starting with a muslin and hopefully ending with a gorgeous coat.


The "Maybe" Sew List:
There are a few other side projects that I hope to work on in between or when I need a break from the "Must Sew" projects. I would still love to make the Simplicity Amazing Fit sheath dress which I had planned on doing last fall, and in fact would love to have it as a TNT dress pattern. So, again, muslin required.


Also, I plan to make this New Look top out of one or more of the gorgeous silk fabrics I bought during my last hookie day.


What I will NOT be Sewing:
Knit tops. I've decided to put all the knit tops I was planning to sew on hold, at least in the short term. I've had a number of less than good experiences, starting with the Hot Patterns hot mess top. So, I just really need a break. Plus RTW tops fit me pretty well and are inexpensive. So, it's just not the best use of my time.

Anyway, I hope that with a bit more focus to my sewing, I will end up with a few key pieces for my wardrobe and a few new skills.

Creamsicle Collection: Final Summer Stashing

Before I left for vacation, I ordered a few sale fabrics from Fabric Mart. I completely forgot about the order, and it was such a treat to arrive home to new fabric waiting for me.

L to R: Cream and tangerine pinstriped cotton w/lycra, Calvin Klein white
cotton waffle weave, and Liz Claiborn lightweight cotton in coral

All three are summery, so they will be stashed until next spring. The first two are destined to be made into pants and the last will become a top. I'm really pleased with all three fabrics - I just love the colors.

Speaking of color, I had a somewhat surprising revelation recently: orange, and not blue, is my favorite color. I love blue, I really do. Well, except for navy blue, that most serious and un-fun color. But every time I say that blue is my favorite, I get this very nagging and guilty feeling, like I'm somehow shortchanging or cheating on orange. And I can't think of orange without getting a big grin on my face. So, there it is. Orange is the new blue, at least for me.

The other very fun purchase I made from Fabric Mart was their "mystery box" of notions, trim and other goodies, which was just $5 with my order.

It was such a fun box to open and I definitely got my money's worth of belt buckles, an assortment of zippers, elastic, grosgain ribbon, several lace appliques, an "Ooh La La" iron on bit of embriodery, lots of lace trims, a book on pillows (destined for my niece, I think), and a box of bobbin-sized spools of thread. Unfortunately the thread is navy blue, which serves me right, I suppose.

Anyway, the lace appliques and trims definitely got me thinking about tackling my first lingerie project. It definitely got my creative juices flowing. So, expect more on this to come.

Back from Vacation!

Well, I am back from vacation and, if not rested, definitely relaxed.

Me in Tulum, the Mayan ruins on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean.
Immediately after this photo was taken, I went for a swim down below.

First, a big thank you to all of you who commented on my post on body image and my bikini and sarong pants ensemble. I had an awesome week at the beach, feeling very confident and fun in my bathing suit. I spent so much time face-down in the water, snorkelling and free diving, that the whole back side of my body is a bit scorched.

Here are a few initial shots from the trip. I'll post a few more later this week after my water-proof camera shots are developed. A few of the highlights for me were the day we swam with sting-rays in Grand Cayman, snorkelling with Orpheus on a reef in Isla Roatan, Honduras, and my solo trip to Tulum, the Mayan ruins in Quintana Roo, Mexico with breathtaking cliffside views of the Caribbean.

Me with nephews in Belize on our "private island beach break" excursion

Me in Tulum again, the one day I didn't spend with the boys and Calliope

My snorkel gear was an endless source of fascination for Orpheus (l.) and Linus (r.),
who are looking rather hedgehog-like in this shot on our balcony.
(Calliope let me give them spiked hairdo's one night and they definitely felt cool)

Orpheus splashing down on the on-board waterslide.
We spent a lot of time on the waterslide - it was rather thrilling!

We all had an excellent time, and with the boys in tow, a cruise was definitely the right option.

Sewing Gifts

Greetings from the Caribbean! Here's a tidbit while I am away.

I recently received two incredibly thoughtful sewing gifts - from two incredibly thoughtful muses - that I've been meaning to post about. Both were unexpected, but tremendously appreciated.

First, as thanks for the epic Christening ensemble project for my new nephew, Little C, I received this tracing wheel from his mother/my sister, Poly:


Poly had two tracing wheels that had belonged to our grandmother in her stash. This one is an old Dritz model with a beautiful caramel color Bakelite handle, which probably means it was made in the 1930's. It is much sturdier than any tracing wheels I've seen recently, and I've already put it to work, transferring dart markings from pattern to fabric.

The second gift - two buttons - is a souvenir that was brought to me by Dr Kiang from her recent honeymoon in Iceland for the solstice.

These two buttons, which measure about 1.25" or so across, are made from naturally shed and collected Icelandic reindeer antlers. Yup, that's right: Rudolf did not have to die for these buttons. Clearly, I am going to have to use them on a very cool project where they will stand out. Naturally, cold weather garments come to mind, like a caplet or jacket.

Anyway, thank you again Dr K and Polyhymnia! I love my gifts!

Sew-In Results = Ready for Vacation!!!

It didn't take very long last night for me to finish my sarong pants. It did, on the other hand, take forever for me to pack. But I am now ready to head out the door for my vacation.

Before I show you my finished sew-in project, I just want to say the following: over the last few years - and thanks to my sewing hobby in part - I've become much more comfortable and accepting of my body. There has been a lot of talk lately on other sewing blogs and in the media on "real" sized models, real bodies, and fashion. This morning, as I was sipping coffee, flipping thru the NY Times fashion supplement and planning this post, I came across this article - The F Word. It made me reflect on my own body and hang ups. At heart, I think that the fashion and beauty industry preys on our insecurities - about weight, about aging, about skin color, about our noses or breasts or the length of our legs or lashes.

Everyone has their own personal set of issues with their bodies, and I am no exception. I am fleshy, with thighs that my husband loves to pinch. It used to bother me that he would go for my jiggly parts. But I've come to love this about him and about me. Bit by bit, I am overcoming these things and realizing that the most beautiful thing that I can wear is self confidence.

So here I am, ready for a vacation that will mostly be spent in a bathing suit, which a few years ago would have been really quite stressful for me. But this year, I bought myself a bikini. And even though I would not say that I have made friends with my thighs and they are definitely not showing themselves on my blog just yet, we no longer hate each other quite so much... So, here I am in my new sarong pants and bikini top - tummy and all, one step closer to loving every part of myself...



Have a great week!

Friday Night Sew-In

Well, it is Friday and in just a few hours I will be officially on vacation. I still have not finished my sarong pants, which need to be packed for my trip by the end of the evening. Therefore, I will be joining my first ever Friday Night Sew-in. (Thanks to Reethi for turning me on to this very cool group.)

The idea is that a virtual army of sewistas (99 others have signed up for tonight!) across the US and Canada will be spending the evening at their respective sewing machines and then sharing their work thru their flickr accounts and blogs. I can't wait to see what the other participants whip up! Tune in tomorrow to see my (hopefully) finished pants.

Happy Friday! I hope you have plans that you are excited about, too!