Em’s Welcome to Spring March Bra

March 23, 2024March 19, 2024 ~ Michelle

I’m ready for Spring! How are you feeling? Weary of winter too? We had a few gorgeous very Spring-like days, and now we’re back into winter temps again. Oh, I’m very ready for Spring.

When I was looking at kits for Em for her March bra, I wanted bright and lively colors. Nothing dark. I’d add dreary, but I’ve yet to see a pretty bra kit that is dreary!

So I looked through my kits and actually couldn’t find one that was what I wanted. So I took the lace and elastics from one kit and the Lycra from another and ‘made’ this perfect kit for Em’s bra.

Here’s Em’s March Watson. Oh, I love these bright colors! And the flowers and butterflies too. I even love the little butterfly at the center instead of a bow. But I’m not sure about the flower on the front of the band. What do you think? Here’s the side view. I’ve actually used Lycra from B,Wear again for the whole bra. For the frame, band, and I also lined the cups with it again. The lace is a sheer lace with the floral pattern embroidered on it.

I’ve used green elastics as well, but not for the straps. Oh! Look at that color combo. That is so lovely. I couldn’t resist fuchsia straps with this green and the lace. The straps make everything in the lace just pop! Here’s a closer look at the butterfly and flower above, and with the flower removed below. I really can’t decide which I like better.

Here’s a sweet set pairing Em’s Spring bra with a cute pair of pink panties. And lastly as promised. A couple of photos of me in my new Halla Knotty pants.

I wanted them loose and flowy, and I got them just how I wanted them.

And just a head’s up, I have 2 courses over the next month, 22 fitting bras to sew, and a class to prepare. I’m not sure how much I’ll be blogging, but I’ll try to pop on with some of those fitting bras.

Happy creating!

Halla Knotty Pants Take Three

March 16, 2024March 15, 2024 ~ Michelle

I’ll be honest, it might actually be take four, or maybe even five. I think I’ve blocked a few of them out. But! I’ve finished them and they fit just how I want.

I didn’t want them to be tight. Oh my! No! I wanted them to skim over my hips and my thighs so I’d feel they flattered my figure. And I have that now.

I’ll try to get a couple of photos for you soon with me wearing them, but for now we’ll have to use the mannequin. I made a few more alterations. I added more length to the rise, and went up a size in the hip to get the results I wanted.

As well, I didn’t do the flirty little side opening. I love it, but it’s still winter here. We have a lot of snow on the ground. So I’ll save that fun feature for summer pants. So I now have a great basic pattern for knit pants, with a very fun optional side slit.

To deal the the difference between my hips and waist, I added back darts to the pants. There was just no way the waistband was going to go on smoothly otherwise.

I also used my coverstitch option on my serger for the first time. It worked well, but it’s very different from the other coverstitch machine I had. I had to downsize in our move, so traded that machine as my serger has both functions. It was a bit of a struggle, but I have a few RTW pairs of pants just waiting to be hemmed. I’ll get more practice in soon.

I have to admit, bra sewing is my passion. I don’t LOVE other clothing sewing as much. I’ll be getting more practice though. I’ve signed up for the Cashmerette Sloper School. Sewing up my sloper will be another March project.

Good thing I have a bralette to make for Em this month. I think I need to sew something for me too. Is bra-sewing withdrawal a thing?

Happy creating!!

Halla Knotty Pants

January 20, 2024January 19, 2024 ~ Michelle

Well, I’m working away on my 2024 sewing resolutions. I’ve finished one pair of pants. Do they fit? Yes, but I still want to make them fit a little looser and more flowy than they fit at present.

For my first pair I made the Halla Knotty Pants. Here’s a photo from their website.

Don’t you love that knot feature? These pants really are a favorite of mine. I really love the little side slit that can be left open or tied at the ankle. It’s such a fun little detail – but I will admit it is much better suited to summer than winter!

Here are my Knottoy Pants. What I’ve learned so far for fitting pants is, I need to lengthen the rise, adjust for full thighs, and a sway back. But I’m getting there!

This material is a gorgeous 12 oz cotton Lycra from Funky Monkey fabrics. It’s a great winter weight fabric. Here’s the side view of the pants. You can see at the bottom I have them tied up. It was too cold to have them open. You do not want to know what the temperature has been like here!

Here’s a close up of the opening and the knot. It would work wonderfully in a drapey fabric, but as you can see it works in a CL as well.

Lastly here is the back view. I do like these, but I really want a more flowy drapey look. So I’ll be working on making a few more adjustments to these – but not so much for fit. More for style this time.

Happy creating!

April BMS Challenge – A Spring in Your Step

May 4, 2019April 30, 2019 ~ Michelle

The April Bra-Makers Supply Challenge was A Spring in your step – this challenge is about making garments for an active lifestyle. How about jumping into the challenge and working with spandex, Supplex, wickables and other performance fabrics? Any type of activewear is eligible – be it shorts, leggings, running gear or gym wear. You can even make ath-leisure wear, that perfect combination of activewear and leisure wear.

I knew what I wanted to make for this Challenge. I saw the cutest, and littlest pair of athletic shorts on a half-size mannequin at Central Sewing. Jeanette had sewn them to show with the half-size Ingrid on display there.I told Jeanette I was going to copy her idea. These are adorable, and I knew my own pair would go so well with the Ingrid bra I just made.

My Pattern

Last year I made athletic pants for the Challenge. I used my self-drafted panty pattern to get the right size and shape, and the Pin-Up Girls Tankini bottoms to get an idea for the length and how to shape the legs.

For the pair I’m making for this year’s Challenge, I’m going to use the same bases for my new pattern, but change things up a bit more.

This year I didn’t want to make full-length pants. This year, I’m thinking Capri-length will be nice. As well, I’m adding that stripe of scuba down the side. I also wanted a different waistband this year. I wanted a cross-over waistband like in the Miami bikini shown below.

I’ll probably change that a bit too. I’m thinking I want it a bit higher than this waistband.

My Challenge Capris

I’m really happy with how my Challenge Capris turned out.

These are cotton Lycra and scuba from Bra-Makers Supply.

I’ve put the Capri pants on Catherine. I’m working on getting a Legs Display, but until then, Catherine will have to do.

Here’s my Ingrid showing the same scuba. Here’s the scuba panel I added to the side seam. The scuba is really nice to sew, and it adds such a lovely pop of color. I’m so glad I saw Jeanette’s little shorts and copied them.

And here’s the back view. Even the back has a little pop of color with the waistband.

Yes, these turned out very well.

I really like this waistband. It’s one piece that wraps all the way around the back to the front and overlaps. I added two inches to the height of the band pattern. I didn’t think the band would look as good if it was a narrower band – at least not on pants.Lastly, here I am putting my new capri-length pants to good use.I love these, and am happily planning my next Challenge entry.

Happy creating!

Hallå Knotty Pants

July 7, 2018January 1, 2023 ~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I recently saw the most adorable pants pattern. Hallå Knotty Pants. I bought the pattern the day it came out. I also bumped some other sewing projects, and put making these pants at the top of my sewing list.

Fabric

I had some fabric in my stash just waiting to be made into a pair of pants. I originally had planned to make Portlander pants.

I do love these still, and do plan to make them soon.

Like I said, as soon as I saw the Knotty Pants, well, they went straight to the top of my sewing list.

Here’s the fabric I had picked out:. Isn’t this gorgeous? This is the Willow Blooms Spices by Art Gallery. It’s cotton Lycra, which is my favorite, but it’s also available in a cotton. I got this from Funky Monkey Fabrics.

My Knotty Pants

These aren’t hemmed yet, but I’m adoring them so far. In fact, I tried them on and didn’t take them off. I wore them all day. Love them.

You can make them with pockets, or without. Mine are without. As well you can make straight legged pants, or with the slit up the side. These have the slit and can be tied at either the ankle or knee.

Inspiration

I had a reason why I wanted to make these Knotty Pants too, and not just because they’re adorable. For years I’ve watched Shimmy on TV and danced along with the dancers as my morning exercise.

The Knotty pants are very similar to some pants the dancers wear on the show.I found this image on the internet. It shows the knotted pants perfectly. I’m so happy to have found this pattern. They’re also quite easy to make up.