PR sewing bee round 1 entry - shorts - Lekala 5445

This is the 1st time I manage to sew something in time with the bee tight deadline. I hardly dared to hope I can join. Then I seen shorts on the 1st day of fall... but of course I could not stop thinking about it... I like capries but I found a few really nice RTW pairs this summer and there is always Eleonore for that... so again back to shorts. And I realized that with all my sewing and buying I never had a pair of "perfect" shorts. So I decided to take the shorts challenge and make a pair of shorts that I will love to wear.

I couldn't get into my sewing room so I just spent the idle time thinking this over and over again in my head... way to much thinking... not very productive. Most of the ideas involved buying new patterns or go look in the fabric stores. I am still amazed I kept away from those.

Saturday I finally found a bit of free time. My parents come to visit and left with the kids for a few hours. Ura! So I just took out a pattern I sewed before and a fabric that I had already washed and start working. Less thinking more cutting really worked for me. - this is Lekala 5445 - cut short:

I didn't managed to get very far the 1st day but I was happy. For me usually the hardest part is to get started ( or the last hem on something I don't really like after all ...). : cut all pieces, side pockets set in, interfaced and joined waistband pieces.

I have spent all the free time on Sunday making patch back pockets. I tried to remake the fabric for them and used embroidery machine to set them in.

On Monday morning I joined the side seams and finished them with bias floral batiste. I dis the hems as well. And in the evening I did the fly front zipper. That one was a real mess. I probably was to tired for it and choose a bad tutorial. I had to unpick quite a few times. I want to forget that part.

Tuesday morning I attached the waistband, sewed the hooks, set in the snaps and belt loops. Later that day I updated my review. Late in the night I took a few photos and I am all done.

Wednesday I can just enjoy the gallery. And maybe clean my brand new sewing space and start organize it.... But what I did is take Eva to the park in coordinating outfits. The pockets were fully loaded and the shorts help up well. tank you bee for the challange:

BurdaStyle summer outfit ( 06-2014-124 + 07-2014-111)

Last week I tried 2 of the latest Burda patterns and I got some funny shorts and an OK beach top.  But I was not 100% pleased with any of them. Sure I love the shorts but they are a bit to tight and to short and the blouse I can only wear it to the beach being so transparent... So this week I gave them another go.  This time it was the other way around... love love love the blouse and the shorts get just my OK.

I tried to fix and improve everything but I am not sure all changes were good for the pants. I added the wrap panels to the back as well ( not so bad idea but it should have been somehow longer ). I wanted to add some ease but I got a crappy fit for the shorts this time. The good part is that they are a lot more conformable and easier to wear with the extra length.

The blouse on the other hand turned out just perfect. I had the inspiration to add the band to close the sleeve and now I just love the way it sticks with my hand and I can wear my hand on either of the sleeve holes. Also instead of the split in the back I did a keyhole.

 Some photos indoor : the colors are off but you can see better the shape and the drape for the blouse:

Previous pair of wrapped front shorts here.
Muslin for top here.

The Black Sea Weekened - Burda 06-2014-124 + Simplicity 1808

Last week was probably the most prolific week ever for my sewing. Getting the retro dress done along with 2 tops and a pair of shorts. It was so nice to have them ready for my weekend trip.
   The top is Simplicity 1808 that I sew last month in a bigger size for a gift ( here ). This time I did size 10 with no other adjustments. The pattern is for knit but I used thin cotton blend very pleasant at the touch ( but no stretch ) .  I am lucky my bust is not that big else I would have needed a side zipper. Now that I sew it the second time and the fabric was easy to work with I come down really fast. I don't exactly love it but I like it.

   Tho shorts were done on the spur of the moment Thursday night thinking we may go to the beach this weekend and I LOVE them.I don't usually mach fabric with the initial design but the stripes were so playful and I had just the right amount of this quilting cotton for it. I was like asking for it.  This pattern is very fitted. I normally cut 34-36 from Burda but this time I cut 40 and they still are a bit to tight. If I will do them again I will add more ease to it and maybe do the a bit longer.

 

   I think this is the 1st time I actually used Burda instructions. I was a bit weird the way they wanted you to sew this shorts. The order was not my usual way for sure but It was so much easier to work with them that way and arrange the panels in the front so I do recommend to do as they say. The only thing I did differently was to add lining to the front panel so it will still look nice if the wind blows them . 

   I really enjoyed the outfit and the patterns. It was all worth it.