Small Changes Made to My Floral Denim

I made these floral denim pants last year, but I felt their fit was a bit off.

I made them tiny bit tighter, and shortened the hem by like an inch----and I think I love the fit now.

What a difference small alterations make!!!

Also, I'm taking part in this year's Me-Made-May. This is my first time participating in MMM, and I love it!! There are 300+ participants this year, and everyone's style is so unique. I love how people are active with comments, too. What a joyful way to connect with sewing enthusiasts all over the world!!

Happy Sewing!!

Bella Pants Revisited

I have used Burdastyle's Bella pattern before, but this time I made some alterations both on its design detail and fit. I changed the design of the pockets because the original design included gathering at thighs and really low pocket opening----which wasn't very flattering to my somewhat full thighs, nor practical for the use of those pockets.

As for the fit, I made the crotch curve a bit deeper, because I was getting the "smile" in the back of the previous pair. It wasn't obvious to me before... I thought those wrinkles were there because they were loose-fit pants. After reading "Fit for Real People" and "Pants for Real People" (now my bibles for garment fit/alterations), I was able to recognize the problem. I think my new Bella pants fit me much better than the first pair!

Pocket Close-up

I used polyester moleskin I got at a closing sale of a local Joann (re-opened with bigger & better selection across the street---Yay!!)----$5 for the whole bolt! It has stretch and the suede-yside, which I love...I already made a new skirt from the same fabric :)

Photographed with hand-knitted top

~Happy Sewing!~

Purple Tweed Shorts with Suspenders

BurdaYoung 7465

 

 

I made these shorts a few years ago when I was really into suspenders.

 

They are made with BurdaYoung 7465 view B.  I added lining since the tweed fabric was a bit scratchy.   The pattern required suspender adjusters in the back, but I skipped them and just made the front suspender pattern longer so they attach directly to the back of the shorts---metal adjusters hurt when I lean against the back of a chair!

 

BurdaYoung 7465

 

 

I wish I made the shorts a little longer....maybe letting down the cuffs would help...?

 

 

Another thing I did differently from the pattern is that I made the suspenders cross in the back.  This way suspenders don't slide off the shoulders and annoy you every 5 minutes...

back

This little piece inside keeps suspenders in place..

Floral Denim

Floral Denim

 

 

It's hard to find nice fitting denim...and the sizing and style of ready-made jeans seem to shrink every year from skinny to skin tight (I'm going to ignore the other obvious possibility for now).



 

 

Floral Denim

 

I saw this pretty floral print at a local second-hand sewing supply store for $5 and decided to finally make my own pair of jeans! :)

I used Butterick 5682 view A (Slim Ankle Length).  I wanted to make them longer but a little more than 1 yard was all I had...

Right now I'm debating if I should dye the pants with grey dye to tone down the color... for now I'm going to see if I warm up to it first...

keyhole buttonhole

inside the waist band

additional hair canvas for where a jean button is attached

quick temporary stoppers (staples) for the zipper