knickers

A loooong time ago, when I first thought about making knickers for DH I bought a couple of bags of offcuts of very expensive cotton lycia. I thought I'd use them to make the fly pieces.

DH seems to quite like the test pairs of boxers I made him,  so I thought I'd unearth the box of offcuts and try using  some with plain cotton lycra for the main body of the keks.

I had enough offcut to make a matching waistband 

I made a pair, and they look fab. 

Unfortunately, I used the wrong seam allowance on the fly pieces, so they are a little bit snug.

Plus I think this particular offcuts was more swimwear fabric than cotton lycra.

I'm going tohave another go.

But im pleased with the one I've done.

Flare up

I used the Apostrophe Patterns  pattern generator to generate a pattern for a pair of relaxed fit flared trousers.

My first attempt at cutting was a fail.  I didn't have quite enough fabric, and I didn't notice until I was trying to cut out the second set of pieces.  I'm sorry I wasted the fabric,  as it was really bright.

I chose some digitally printed scuba fabric with enormous roses on.   I skipped making pockets (coward that I am).

I did a relaxed fit leg (or "baggy", as DH called it).  I did a slightly narrower waistband.

I think I have reduced size slightly since the last pair (I do tend to fluctuate), as these feel like they could have been made a bit tighter round the waist.

Other than that, I really like them.  I'm surprised, as I thought I'd not be too keen on the large pattern.

I took a quick couple of photos, obviously they aren't really meant to be paired with  a sruffy jumper.

Yes, they do need shoes.

Yes, they are meant to be "baggy" above the flares .

I think I might try another pair of flares, but try a more fitted-leg version. I'll   I'll also measure myself again, just to see if I need to make some adjustments.  I might raise the waist a bit.Or lower it a lot. 

Hmm. So many options.

 

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Total crafty things this year: 33

Sewing based makes: 17;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Frenemies

There is one good thing, I suppose, about the recent chickeny losses:  everyone seems to be getting on better.

It's probably really down to the good weather,  the lifting of Flockdown, and plenty of grass.  

It could be that 12 is just a better number.

I love seeing them pootling about together, and I love seeing them having their little afternoon gatherings in the shade.

Even the bitterest of enemies now seem happy to doze side by side.

The sun makes everything feel better.

 

Still raining

Elderly Relative (ER) is still in hospital.    

I ordered some track suit bottoms and tee shirts, as their own clothes were not really ideal for hospital wear.  ER has never worn trackies, so I bought one pair,  and a pair of pyjama bottoms that looked like trackies.    We took them up to the hospital the day they arrrived,  and ER was very pleased with them.

I've ordered some more which will be ready for collection tomorrow, and i'll take them up to the hospital tomorrow night.

The news about ER continues to be reasonable, and they have now been ut on the operating list for tomorrow.

My Dad. meanwhile, is also still in hospital.   It has been.... well,  it has been exceptionally tough.    They were able to do the procedure on Monday,  but he has been unwell and still can't come home.   Today he sounds better, so maybe tomorrow.

Jog On

The Dad news continues to be stressful.    I might write it down when it's all over.

Today, DH went out for the day, and I decided to try and make something new.  

I'd already had a play with a wrap top pattern, (Willow Wrap Dress, peplum top version from Love Notions) which had a "full bust" piece.  Unfortunately, the "full bust" piece wasn't full enough.  I finished it, but won't be wearing it.   It's not a disaster,  but it just isn't right for my boobs.

So today, to distract myself,  I decided to try the Apostrophe Patterns Joggers.      Apostrophe is interesting.  You buy access to their pattern generator for a specific pattern.  Once you've bought it, you can generate as many versions of the pattern as you wish.

Each time, you provide very very detailed measurements.  The measurement video was superb, the best I've seen.   Then you put the measurements into the calculator, along with the stretch (if any) of your fabri.  You choose your options (tapered leg, regular, flare,  type of pocket, type of waistband, sheight of waistband), and any adjustments (bowl legs, knock knees( and it generates a pattern for you.

I opted for the projector version, with full pieces (rather than on fold, or "cut two mirror").  The projector file was great.  All my measurements were on one of the pattern pieces for reference. 

I had some lovely fabric. Inexpensive, but I liked it.  Normally I'd start with some fabric I was less attached to,and do a muslin,  but I decided to just get on with it.  I've made trousers for myself before, and the pieces looked reasonable.

I fluffed up stitching one leg,  so I wasn't holding out much hope for it working.

However, the finished result is not at all bad!   Even with the faults (which are mine, not the generators) it's better than most ready to wear trousers I've ever had.

I think I should have gone for a alightly shallower waistband (this is 7.5 inches folded in half, less seam allowance, so about 3.25 inches or so high).The inseams are great, the side seasms are great, the length is fine (I'm barefoot in the pics).

I had all the benefits of my beloved Sure Fit system, but without having to draw off the pattern myself.

I'll definitely make more of these,  I've got a few pieces of fabtic I'd bought with the intention of making statement trousers. 

I might try a flare next. And pockets.

I'd actually be happy to try making joggers for someone else with the same pattern.

I'd also be happy to buy other patterns in their range now.

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Total crafty things this year: 32

Sewing based makes: 17;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
Apostrophe Patterns Joggers

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Not raining, it's pouring

I have one elderly relative (ER) in hospital, who was in a serious enough condition for me to have several nights running of middle of the "I'm sorry to say....very poorly" calls. These are the calls you get to prepare you for the "I'm sorry to tell you that......"  bad news call.

ER was transferred to another hospital, one which was better equipped to manage all the complications.  ER has been there for a while now.   Happily, said relative gradually turned a corner from all the competing complications, and is now at the "seriously ill" stage (rather than the more serious "very poorly" stage), waiting for a major operation.

This hospital is far from local.  It's about a 3 hour round trip. No visiting allowed. At all.

There have been a few things to organise.  I went to the hospital with DB2 at the weekend, to drop off some stuff to try and help my elderly relative pass the time and keep track of things.  No clothes were needed, I did ask.

We have a chain of communication to the wider family members (and elderly, not internet connected, friends).   

Things were settling down into a routine.  Time consuming, but OK. 

And then my Dad was taken in to hospital, about 25 miles from his home.  He is also quite poorly (he was "very poorly" at one point),.  We could talk to him on his phone, and he was OK.   But then yesterday, something happened which caused him to start suffering from some delusions, which has been very challenging.   

The hospital will not allow visitors, and it's feeding his delirium.   All last night, and all day today, and it's still going on.   I can't really write the details now,  but it's all very real to him. It's heartbreaking.  My poor mum.

I had to warn ER that my Dad was having some trouble, in case Dad phoend ER for help.  

Shortly afterwards, ER called to ask me to bring clothes.  They are at a point where they have to exercise to get well enough for the op, and they need clothes.    So, I collected the requested clothes etc today,  and DH will drive me up there this evening.  I've got appointments tomorrow I can't break, and I want to get this done and out of the way.  

"What larks!".

 

 

Out of Order

It's been a challenging 10 days.  

And on top of all that,  I now have sciatica ad cannot sit down, or stad in one place for long.

I have to do something, so I may attempt somthing sewing related later, although I'm not in the right frame of mind really.

Luckily my lovely chiro, Tania, came in an hour early to fit me in as an emergency today, and that has helped.

Boxering Success

I've managed to complete the 2 pairs of boxers made from my cardboard template.    The sewing is a bit rough, but they are wearable!

I used the smallest double fold binder to do the fly binding.  That worked like a dream.

I used the downturn feller to hem the legs.   The first pair was already sewn up, so I hemmed in the round.  The second pair, I decided to try hemming first then sewing.  Both methods have their merits,  I'll have to see whether they construction choice affects how they feel in wear.

Unusually, I had a bit of a problem with the hem on the first pair.  I had to unpick and re-sew, and I sewed by eye so they are a bit rubbish.

 On both pairs, I coverstitched around the waistband so that the join looked a little more "finished" on the inside.   I need to improve my positioningfor that. I also need to see if DH prefers the feel of the finished to the unfinished ones I made the other day.

This second pic is of my glorious fly binding, The pic is sideways, sorry - the dinosaurs should be the correct way up.

I hope that DH finds these comfortable. I particularly hope he likes the waistband  as I'm using the same fabric to make the waistband rather than using elastic.   I could switch to using elastic, but it's easier (and cheaper) to use the fabric I am working with anyway.

When he's had a chance to wear them, and has given me feedback on improvements, I'll make him some more (assuming he wants me to) .  I've got a very small amount of fabric left, and I might make some flypieces to use in a pair of otherwise plain boxers.  

I've also got a small stash of fabric set aside for knickers for him.

 

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Total crafty things this year: 31

Sewing based makes: 16;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf

 

Best Laid Plans

I made a passable pair of boxers for DH, he's like the leg slightly longer.  Everything else he was happy with.

So, I used my projector, and I made a cardboard template for the body of the boxers,  for the fly pieces, and for the waistband.  Then I decided to make him a pair from some more of the cotton lycra from Textile9 Fabrics.  In fact, I decided to cut two pairs while I was at it.  After all, while I had the machines loaded with navy thread, and while I had the binder set up with this fabric, I might as well do two pairs.  This  which would use up more or less all of this particular piece of fabric.

 It went reasonably well.  I had a bit of a fluff hemming one pair, so I needed to unpick it.  It was getting late on Monday,  so I decided to leave it until I was fresh the next day.

The next day I had a phone call to say that my Uncle had had a heart attack while out on his bike, and they were abot to carry out an emwergency proceudre to try and save his life.   

Of course I went straight to the hospital.

All my time since then has been involved in supporting him (and keeping the relatives and friends updated)..  It's his story, not mine, so it's not appropriate for me to put any information on here.

The knickers are still waiting to be finished.

0 sleeps

Flockdown ended just before midnight last night.  During the day DH set up netting and mowed the grass,  ready for this morning.

We let the Girls out.  They streamed out in a long line, and ran for the grass.  Even the aged and stiff legged Norah and Gloria walked down the garden to get to the lush grass. 

It was lovely.

Before long, Poppy had got under the fence and into the kitchen.  And Fay kept flying over the netting to the bare area.  She just can't help herself. Stupid hen!