For wearing everyday - Jamie jeans and a Briar t-shirt

I've made both these patterns several times each, but I do love them so! The jeans are Jamie jeans by Named and the top is a Megan Nielsen Briar t-shirt.

 There is a little change to the Briar pattern though. A couple of changes actually. The most obvious is that I've used a woven fabric for the back. To make sure there was enough movement in the t-shirt, I added a pleat at the centre back that was sewn down for around 10cm. To create this I placed the back pattern piece about an inch away from the fold of the fabric so it was slightly wider than usual. This worked well and the top is really comfortable.

The back is made from a piece of curtaining fabric that came as part of a sample pack. I picked it up from Remida, the creative reuse centre in Perth. The front and sleeves are made from a scrap of black knit fabric that I had to join together to get a piece large enough to use. I think the seam makes quite a nice feature at the front.

The second modification was to change the front hemline slightly so it has a more gentle upward curve. I am pleased with this subtle change.

The jeans are made according to the pattern with extra length added to the hems. I used a pinstriped fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics. It is fairly light for a denim and has only slight stretch. This is a great fabric for this pattern and I'm pleased with the fit this time.

 I played with stripe direction for the back pockets. I should have hitched the jeans up a bit for this photo!

The front. Not much to say apart from using red thread for the bar tacks in the hope of a ready-to-wear look.

I've already worn both of these items several times. They are comfortable and practical, so perfect for my wardrobe.

 I notice that Named have recently released their new collection. I have been eyeing a few of the new designs, including their Wyome boyfriend Jeans. I wonder if I would love them as much as the Jamies. Someone hurry up and make some so I can decide!

Zoe and Virginia in the hood

There's nothing like leggings and a tunic for comfy winter attire.

This navy combo consists of the free Zoe Top pattern by Tessuti and the Virginia leggings by Megan Nielsen, which I have made before. 

The Zoe top is designed for sheer fabric and I had a remnant of this polka dot chiffon from Textile traders that I wanted to use. However, the front and back of this loose-fitting top took up all my fabric and I had to improvise and add sleeves in navy knit fabric. I also edged the neckline in the plain navy.

The leggings began life as a top made from some kind of leather-look polyester. Pretty gross right? I like it so much better on the legs.

 It took some rather creative pattern placement to get the leggings pattern pieces to fit on the available fabric, but I got there in the end with some patching at the lower legs. The pieced sections were overlocked together and topstitched with a twin needle to maintain stretch. I thought this would be more of a feature, but it only just visible.

Some piecing was also required at the top of the leggings. Here I used the same navy knit fabric used for the sleeves of the Zoe top. This is usually hidden under the tunic of course, but how's that for pulling an outfit together?!!

 So there we are. A casual outfit for those days hanging in the industrial area and spray painting some graffiti while I wait for JJ's gymnastics class to finish!

Just joking about the graffiti!

Virginia Leggings - Megan Nielsen Patterns

How lucky am I?

A little while ago, the lovely Meg, of Megan Nielsen Patterns, asked me to test her new leggings pattern. I didn't need long to think about that one! I love Meg's stylish and practical designs and always feel excited when I see that someone has made something using her patterns. That may have something to do with us both having the same name and living in the same town. I keep hoping I'll bump into her one day - and that I just happen to be wearing something hand made and fabulous from her collection at the time - "Oh Hi, I couldn't help noticing your Virginia leggings, are you the Meg of Meggipeg?..."

Anyway, back to the pattern. I loved it. I loved it so much I made two pairs, actually three plus one more for my sister, but only two pairs appear in this post as I need to take more photos. These are a dream to sew and the instructions are extremely clear, even including some extra little tips for a really lovely finish. They need only two pattern pieces and a waistband, so can be whipped up in no time, but look totally designer. They are also fantastic to wear. The waistband sits exactly where it feels comfortable and stays put all day. These never sag around the crotch or need constant adjusting. They are just fab. Beginner sewers, start your engines!

The silver pair are the first ones I made and they fit perfectly with no adjustments. Notice also the length. I think this is the first time ever that I haven't had to lengthen pants and they still ruche (is that even a word...oh yes it is, I just checked) attractively at the ankle. They are worn here with a Briar top (also Megan Nielsen) lengthened to tunic length and cut with a straight hem for a change. (Other Briar tops I've made). I made my sister (who is even taller than me) an identical pair and she is over the moon with them.

Ahhh, feels like I'm in my PJs.

The other pair I'm going to show you were made as an experimental variation from faux leather with a tiny bit of stretch. I made these by cutting the pattern as usual in faux leather, then cutting along the centre of each pattern piece (where the outside seam would normally be on pants) and inserting a 4cm wide piece of cotton lycra. The waistband is also cotton lycra. I'm thrilled with these and they always get a lot of compliments. I think if I made them again I would increase the back height a bit as they tend to slide down slightly when I bend over (this is only the leather ones, not the lycra ones). Let me know if anyone would like a tutorial on this process.

I'm wearing these with with this top that I copied from Metalicus and a scarf made from an old jumper.

The third pair of leggings I made are in thicker ponte knit which I tie dyed. I can't wait to show you. I can't recommend this pattern highly enough, even for someone like me who often copies Ready-to-wear clothes, it's lovely to have a properly drafted pattern that fits oh so perfectly. Thanks so much Meg for the opportunity to test this brilliant pattern.

Check out Meg N's blog post for the story behind the Virginia leggings.

Briar, Briar I'm on fire

You may remember that I recently won a voucher for Megan Nielsen patterns from Erin of I heart Fabric. It was a tough choice, but I finally settled on the Briar t-shirt and sweater pattern.

I have not been writing on the blog lately as I have begun an affair with this pattern and made it five times already! These tops are a very satisfying sew - the pattern fits together beautifully, there is lots of scope for creativity and variations, it's quick and easy to sew and the resulting tops are stylish and unique.

These three versions all follow a stashbusting theme. I have an embarrassingly extensive stash and many pieces of fabric are too small to use for a full garment. I spent some time digging these smaller pieces out and putting them together to find happy combinations.

This top is made with t-shirt weight fabric. I love the purple...

...but I'm not sure if the floral is a bit much on the back. I'm wondering about replacing some of it with more purple, but can't decide which part to replace.

I love this white t-shirt with the striped sleeves, pocket and neckline. Very wearable.

Then I finished off some blue fabrics making this version. I had to add the navy blue to the sleeves and back edges as the medium blue fabric was not quite big enough. I quite like the dark accents.

 Yay for new tops to wear and thank you again to Erin for this most excellent prize.

And briefly in other news, I also received my prize for the Pattern Review Accessory contest. It was a 'Fitz like a glove' ironing board cover, felt pad for under the cover and a ironing pressing cloth. Check this out:

Before

After

 Whoa, it even makes my bathroom look cleaner! The cover was super quick to put on and is lovely quality. Also, a quick word on the pressing cloth - what a revelation. I've never had one before, but it is amazing for protecting delicate fabrics, like some machine knitted fabric I used for yet another Briar that you will have to wait to see. I never thought that excitement could come in the form of a plain cotton rectangle, but there you go, life is full of surprises :)