I made pants! Black elastic waist Style 4727

 

I didn't think this day would ever some to pass... I made wearable pants! 😄

I hardly ever wear trousers, slacks or pants, whatever you call them; I'm nearly always in a dress or skirt (the Lindy Petal skirt gets steady rotation in my wardrobe). But I've wanted to figure out an easy pants pattern as sometimes I am actually in the mood to wear them. I made the skirt from this Style 4727 pattern recently, and thought that the pants included in this set looked like a good option - easy elastic waist, fuller slacks in an 80s style. So I found some interesting textured poly in my stash, probably got it from a thrift store ages ago. It's heavy enough for summer pants - not too flimsy but not super thick either. 

Nothing to lose, so I gave it a try! I measured the crotch curve and added half an inch to the height of the back rise. I thought about taking half an inch out of the front rise, which seemed long, but didn't - when I make these again I will do that. And I think I may make these again!

They aren't perfect, I could use a couple tweaks, but I like them. They are really comfortable, have nice big pockets, and taper slightly to the ankle (which is something I like). I did have to take 3.5 inches out of the length! I am just a shade under 5'2", and these are clearly designed for a taller person. I was careful to take a couple of inches up from above the knee and some from below, so that it wouldn't alter the shape of the pants too dramatically. 

I never thought I'd find a pattern that fit me in a way I liked but I think these ones may do the trick. I'll have to wear them around a bit and see how I like them in use. If they are suitable I will try out some summer colours next! 

Weekend Review: Garden of Stitches

 

Garden of Stitches / Mary Engelbreit
Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, c2026.
160 p.

I am featuring some enjoyable new embroidery books this month, beginning with one by the fabulous Mary Engelbreit. I found this one thanks to the library system, and loved it. Of course, I've always liked Mary Engelbreit's style, which helps: this book is so her! 

It's a series of embroidery projects, floral themed for the most part. You know I was going to love the one on the cover! There are 30 projects, starting with pretty simple ones and moving forward in difficulty as you go through the book. The final patterns include her distinctive lettering, and I think it works really well in stitch. 

Each design has a pattern and a guide to the colours and stitches used for each element. There are a lot of line stitches, which are great for beginners, with not too much difficulty and a nice result. She also introduces the idea of shading some of the shapes on the embroidery with fabric markers before stitching, as seen on the cover image. This cuts down on full coverage embroidery while giving more depth to the images. It's a great idea that I think artistic people will enjoy, especially if they are new to embroidery and want to make a quick project. Also, this isn't just hoop art. There are examples of stitching onto jackets, hats, or pillows, for inspiration on how to use these designs (or parts of them) in your own way.

As noted, I got this one through the library, but I need to get myself a copy as there wasn't enough time to try some of these cool projects! It's a cheerful, colourful collection by an artist I admire for her art style and for herself too. Looking forward to owning this one. 

May Sewing Plans

 

April was a whirl of sewing; I tried to sew up all my Sudoku plans (didn't make it), added in a couple of other ideas that are now half done, and made so many new plans. It was fun but I didn't have half as much time as I'd wanted for sewing up the projects I wanted to! 

So May's sewing is pretty straightforward. I want to finish up the last three Sudoku projects, even if it will be past the deadline, as I think the combinations made in the planning were perfect for my wardrobe. I have one cut out now and two more to go. I think I can do it. 

And I am just finishing up my own Literary Sewing Circle project - I changed my idea when I found some fabulous fabric recently so started a new project! That will be posted pretty soon. 

I also have a fun blouse that I started with a bunch of April contests in mind, but it is only half done. I will try to finish that one in May and share it, too, since I really love the fabric (an old duvet) and the quirky pattern I'm using. 

And IF I have any more sewing time, well, #SewFrugal26 is now taking place in May. It's a favourite challenge as I already love sewing with free patterns and upcycled fabric, of which I have a ton in my stash... 

And of course, May brings MeMadeMay! So much fun to participate and think about one's wardrobe in May. My challenge to myself this year is to complete 4 projects in May, from what I have ongoing, as part of the plans I've outlined above. I think I can do it :) 

I hope your May is going to be full of fun and sewing, too. 

Dark Floral Bow Blouse for Spring

This blouse, New Look 6476 from the 1980s, departs from the solid colours in my Sudoku plan that I've made so far. It picks up the blue and black, and adds a sprinkling of other bright colours. 

I thrifted this pattern and loved the blouse, so thought I'd give it a go now. I had this floral rayon in the stash from at least a year ago and it was perfect. 

It's a quick pattern - the only fussy bits are getting the tie on without stretching out the neckline in this shifty rayon. It's a little fiddly getting that tie on, what with keeping part of it free so that you can handstitch it down to cover the collar seam afterward, and also having to pin the front facing over the basted collar -- I was cursing my choice of rayon challis there for a bit! But it turned out so beautifully once it was finally done and pressed. 

There are just four pattern pieces: front, back, tie and facing. And no interfacing called for. The hems are simple 5/8" turned under hems. This is an interesting variation on the pussy bow blouse, though, since the tie is not at all a bow. It is wide and short, and simply gets looped over itself in a loose half knot. I like the way it drapes, and while I thought the V-neck was going to be a little too low for my liking, it actually works perfectly once the tie is adjusted, since that covers another inch of the neckline. 

I cut 14 at the shoulders and 16 for the rest, giving a little excess at the hipline when I cut it out. I think it worked well, and this will match with a lot in my wardrobe. It's cheerful, comfortable and easy wearing. Just right for me, and a perfect summer weight. I'm glad I finally tried this one. 

Weekend Review: The Hundred Dresses

 

The Hundred Dresses / Eleanor Estes; illus. by Louis Slobodkin
NY: Clarion, 2014, c1944.
93 p.

A bittersweet, classic children's book for today's review. Wanda Petronski is a new student, in a school full of well-off children. The girls in her class, especially one named Peggy, make fun of her for her Polish name, the fact that she wears the same faded blue dress every day, and after a little while, for her outrageous claim that she has more dresses at home: “A hundred of them. All lined up in my closet.”

Peggy's friend Maddie feels bad about the way that Wanda is treated, but not enough to say anything -- she's afraid she'll be next if she does. But then Wanda stops coming to school, and they wonder what's happened to her. Shortly after, the school art prize is going to be announced, and when the students enter their class, there are 100 beautiful sketches pinned up to view -- all of the hundred dresses that Wanda had drawn before her family moved to the more friendly big city. 

Wanda has also left instructions for two of the sketches to be given in particular to Peggy and Maddie, as she created them with the girls in mind. Maddie realizes that she made the wrong choices, that speaking up is always the thing to do when something is happening that she is uncomfortable with. The lessons in this story are gentle and not overly didactic, they arise out of a naturally told story. And sadly they are still so relevant 80 years after this was written. 

But aside from that, the descriptions of the dresses and the imagination that Wanda shared with the class are all so lovely and I really enjoyed picturing the drawings that she'd created. A lovely read, with so many touching elements. 

Literary Sewing Circle: Snap Wrap Up!

 Today is already our final day of the Literary Sewing Circle focusing on Susin Nielsen's Snap!

I hope you've had the chance to read the book, and both the first and second inspiration posts, and are getting lots of ideas for a project of your own.

This is our final and roundup post. Share links to your projects here: as soon as you are done your project, just pop a link to your post into the comments and we will all be able to visit your blog/instagram etc. and explore your creation -- remember, it can be sewn, or knitted, crocheted, embroidered... any textile art that you practice. Or you can just tag me, @sewmelwyk on IG and use #LiterarySewingCircle as a hashtag.

We've discovered more about the author and this book in the author feature post. If that sparks any comments, please share those, too! 

Here are a few questions to ponder:

Is the unusual friendship between our three main characters believable to you? Were you convinced by them? 

What did you think of the many side characters? Did they add to the story - and did you have a favourite? 

There are a number of mother-daughter relationships in the book, all slightly different. Did they make you consider your own relationships? Was there one that you thought was relatable? Any cautionary tales?

What did you think of the ending? Did you find it satisfying to see justice served in many ways? 

Was there any moment that felt especially memorable for you? Anything that resonated strongly?

Please share your thoughts on the book, its themes, characters, or anything you noted about it -- either in the comments here or on your own blog with a link to your longer thoughts in the comments so we can find it. I love to talk about the experience of reading so feel free to comment no matter when you're reading this post; if you've read this I'd love to hear about it!

Also please share a link to your project in the comments -- if that doesn't work for you, please email me or tag me on IG so that I can see and share your project. Thanks so much for reading and sewing along! 

You have two more weeks, until May 8, to share your project, if you want to be included in the round up post & have a chance to win one of our prizes from our sponsors, Blackbird Fabrics & Beaton Linen. 

Easy Style with a Cobalt Linen skirt

My Spring Sudoku Wardrobe plans are mainly based around cobalts and pinks, with black neutrals. I was feeling these brights for the year ahead & so was pleased to see them pop up in a few runway shows. I was particularly surprised by Roberto Cavalli, not a house where I usually find things I like -- but he had lots of blacks, with some striking pinks and purples. And the small house MSGM had some interesting colours too, and prints (my fave at 5:20), while LaDoubleJ was full of colour and whimsy.  I've been finding so many of the current huge fashion names are producing dull black, grey, beige and brown clothing. So it's a joy to find some of these more colourful pieces. 

Anyhow, longwinded way to say that I'm loving some bright pinks, blues and whites for my spring wardrobe! My latest piece is a simple pull on skirt, from a 1980s pattern, Style 4727. I had some blue linen in the stash to use for this.

I decided to line it, since it's a bit see through on its own as a summer skirt. I had some blue-ish lining in my stash so just used that. It does make it a little heavier than usual for a summery linen skirt but I prefer that to having sunshine go right through it ;) 

This is a simple elastic waist pull-on design, with side seam pockets. I had to lengthen it a bit, since it's a short skirt by design, but a little too short for me. I made it just at the knee to suit my preferences a little more, and I am short so this would definitely be a lot shorter as per the pattern for someone of average or taller height. 

This is a fun addition to my Sudoku wardrobe, and it matches the top I made from Vogue 8617, also from the 80s. I used the same fabric for a matching set, kind of a faux dress, and this has used up the entire piece that I thrifted quite a while ago. It does wrinkle pretty quickly, here just from sitting down for a minute. But I do love this colour!