Thursday, August 23, 2007

Continuing the wardrobe plan...with pants.

Recently I killed yet another pair of jeans and I really need to start replacing my old pants with new ones. Pants are tricky to do, however... I was pretty happy with the lilac pair in linnen fabric, but I need something more sturdy that will keep out the oncoming chill of autumn. This is a more fitted model in a denim-like fabric. It is not cotton, however and has a lovely no-crease quality to it. I picked up this fabric for 4 euro from a stall and thought it perfect for a try-out! The model is ok. I had to really, really shave off from the sides of the legs as it was WAY too wide for me, eventhough the pattern was for a size 36. I have a problem with getting the crotch right on the front and this time I was able to get it really nicely done. I tried my hand at an invisible zipper, but it is not really invisible....Still happy with it though.




I do like the back, the fake-welted pocket shamelessly gives away my inexperience, but again, I am happy with the result. I am sure I will do better next time. It really is a "you-have-to-do-it-a few-times-to-get-it-right" thing.

The only thing that bugs me is the diagonal lines in the back when standing still. I looked it up in my sewing book and I cannot find the cause of the problem. I can see there is tension and too much fabric under the bum (ooo I wish I had a bum!). I will really need to correct the pattern for this next time, but I have no idea where!?!?!? If any of you might have an idea or answer, please let me know....I still need to make jeans and another pair for winter!

******Update*****
I thank all the readers that posted comments on how to fix my pants! You were all very helpful and I have a good idea of how to fix the pattern now before I start in true jeans fabric. I had alread sewn this pair and am not willing to do major reconstruction on it, but I have opted for deepening out the crotch curve. As you can see, it does not fix all of the roominess in the back, but it does get rid of those sharp diagonal lines! Thank you so much all!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Granny shawl

I used to have a triangle shawl from my granny. I loved it very much as it could be used as a shawl and a wrap. ....it disappeared when I moved in with my boyfriend 3 years ago. Since then I forgot about it as crochet items were not in fashion anymore and hey, one oughtta keep up with fashion right? Wrong. I loved that shawl dearly and when I noticed these triangle wraps were coming into fashion again and crochet is now the *hot* thing to do apparently, my thoughts dwindled on my old black wrap and it's comfort. So, nothing to do about it: I had to learn to crochet and make myself one. I had already started knitting simple scarves and I figured crochet was not that different from it. I bumped into this pattern for a triangle shawl in one of those shops where they sell all kinds of wool and knick-knacks for knitting and sewing. It was hanging on a dressform and I just loved it soooooo much! The kind lady of the shop saw me gazing at it and told me: "You know, if you know how to crochet, single crochet and double crochet, it is really easy to make. And if you don't know how to, I'll show you -no problem". And I did. It was really easy to follow the pattern, it only took me a week doing a few rows every evening sitting in front of the telly with my boyfriend. AND I LOVE IT!!! 6 euro worth of skins and I am sooooo much happier now :-) I can't wait to show my Grandma!Img_3700


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