Monday, September 7, 2015

SIM #2: Pinot + Walkley Casuals


Since Sew Indie Month is just getting started, and there is still time to pick up Bundle #2 for a great bargain (about $3.80 a pattern!) I thought I'd share the two patterns I made on this long weekend -- which are both part of this bundle.

Walkley Top & Pinot Pants
I decided to make two of the very easy beginner patterns. Because it was 40 degrees Celsius around here and extremely humid, I hid out in the basement sewing for much of the weekend! I traced off and sewed the Walkley top (probably unrecognizable with my changes) and the Pinot Pants

The Walkley top is a very simple t-shirt style top and dress -- it's basically one pattern piece, but it does have little "wings" at the ends of seams to make the turn & stitch finishing much easier and neater. There are also instructions in the pattern on how to personalize it -- how to add design seams, colour-block etc. I think this would be a great beginner pattern, as it's non-intimidating to work with, but also encourages new sewers to experiment and try things out. It could also teach them the importance of measuring and fitting a pattern to yourself before you cut. Ahem.

I traced it off at the largest size, knowing it would fit my hips that way. But then I totally forgot about taking in the neckline to compensate and merrily stitched away with this knit remnant from my stash. When I tried it on, the neckline was far, far too wide. I'm far too old to wear off the shoulder tops...what to do? I had a few ideas, but went with the simple one of handstitching in some lingerie straps to hold the shoulders in place, and give the neckline a cowl effect, front & back. I really like it.

I also decided to add some tiny patch pockets, big enough to hold my keys, as I was thinking about wearing them with pants like these Pinot pants, that don't have any pockets. Plus the print was so crazy that I knew even if I messed up the pocket stitching nobody would notice! I just sketched out a pocket piece on some tissue, and then eyeballed the placement on the front of the top.

closeup! they are teeny pockets


In all of these photos you can also get a look at my Pinot Pants. It's the first time I have ever attempted any kind of pants, and thought that these easy yoga-style ones, made by SBCC, a company that focuses on petites, might be a good bet. And they were! I used a soft, thin knit -- while the pants are very soft and comfortable, they are too thin for me to feel comfortable wearing them out anywhere -- but they are a great first try at some comfy everyday house pants. The only alteration I made was to adjust the crotch curve a little, using Nancy Zieman's Fitting Finesse for tips, and I think that it worked well. I am not posting a closeup of my butt on the internet, so you'll have to trust me when I say they fit exactly like they should and have no untoward pulling or drag lines. Not too bad for a casual pull-on style, and my first try at them!

Anyhow, these are two fun patterns to try out. Just remember to measure the Walkley, as the design does have a wide boatneck, and it looks so nice when it's made properly ;)

I'm excited about trying the Pinot pants again with a slightly sturdier knit and seeing if I can get the fit *just* right. Until then, I hope to see some of you try out some of these Sew Indie Month patterns as well. I'm having lots of fun with them.


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You can check out my previous post for all the details on Sew Indie Month & all the activities -- including sewalongs and prizes -- but don't forget to also visit these participating bloggers for more visuals of all the patterns in Bundle #2 -- available until September 10th.

6 comments:

  1. I love what you've done with the Walkley pattern! I totally get it that a boat shaped neck isn't for everyone and on smaller framed people can feel a bit wide - but what a great solution you've come up with! Thanks for choosing to make my pattern, I hope you'll make more. Wendy

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    1. Oh, it's not the pattern that was too wide -- it was my inattention to the size when I cut it out! I'll try again and measure properly ;)

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  2. Nice outfit and clever solution to fix the wide neckline.

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    1. Thanks - these pants are SO comfy. And I had to rescue the top, I love the print so much!

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  3. Great save on the top and I love the pockets (always essential for keys and other bits!).

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    1. First thing I look at on a pattern - does it have pockets? Does it need some? Where can I add them? ;)

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