Who Wears the Pants?

Well, the answer is obvious, isn't it?
I was so enthusiastic about Aldrich's book for women that I decided to buy the masculine version:

What I had in mind was to make a new and better version of the corduroy trousers I had made for my boyfriend, which after being redimensioned form a magazine pattern, did not look as good as they should. With my own patterns, the result was as good as this:

I took measures, I draw the basic block, and made a  muslim from there. I had to make some minor adjustments to the muslim, and now I have the perfect pattern for corduroy pants, if my sweetheart does not gain any volume!
Some parts, like the zipper, o the belt loops are delicate and you need some practice to do them well. In fact these are my first perfect belt loops so far!

Well, my boyfriend is so happy with the result that he has decided to reserve them for dressing up occasions, when they were meant for work. He finds the corduroy mustard yellow perfect, so I am very happy with the job done.

Since I started constructing my own patterns, I am moving away from magazines' The fit is so perfect I can only recommend every seamstress to go for it.

We are now in December 2013. I've made a second version of this pattern, since I kept my toile fo further occasions. It is a cinamon corduroy this time, and the result, as good as the firts one, of course:

Animal Jumper

Last winter I made this dress in this spotted grey wool and I got some fabric left. I decided to use my unviersal T-shirt pattern again, because I know it is just perfect.

I had the nasty surprise of itchiness as soon as I tried it on the first time, so I decided to underline it all with a very thin beige fabric with a lot of give. I sew it around the neck, right to right, and turn it to the inside, sewing then the bottom of the sleeves and body. 

Now, it is confortable and nice to wear, so I consider it a good solution. It wears well with jeans.

Here I am wearing it with minishorts and my grey UGGS, which have proved really wearable (and of course comfortable!) in the cold Lleidatan winters.

Wrap T-shirt

I have always liked wrap dresses and t-shirts, and this is one of many many tries I've made, and a very good one, likely to be recreated, I think. It is a Burda pattern, and it became perfect for my mauve elastic cotton fabric:

Black Lace Back Dress

Here is the product of three correlative mistakes in the process of sewing myself a little.. well, first, I bought the lace to make a panelled skirt. I draw the pattern just to find out the fabric was so scarce for that design! (1st mistake). Then I decided to make a dress inspired in:

but (and 2nd mistake, due to poor light) I cut the dress in this black cotton/lycra just across the grain. Now my options, with the sleeves cut, and half the cotton/lycra gone, where fewer and fewer, so I had to be brave and take this as an oportunity to dare (no much choice neither). Finally I used the left lace to make the back of the dress. I could look better, but the dress is quite nice. What do you think?

Here wearing it with my Timberland lace-ups, my favourite boots of all times. Too bright tights, at least in the picture, I hope they were not that glittering in real :-(!

Sewing for Others

This time it was not for me, but for my mother in law. I must say, once I have started drawing my own patterns, it will be difficult to go back to using magazines' patterns.

I took measurements, draw the simple jersey block and ... wow, it was perfect at the first fit. Considreing she is a 68 year old lady, with not a perfect figure (who is???), it was wonderful not to have to modify anything. And now I have a perfect block for her.

Long Skirt: My Own Design AND Pattern

Well, I am so enthusiastic about this I can not stop planing new projecs with my new learnt ability! Thanks to the wonderful Aldrich's pattern making book,

I can finally made my own patterns!!! Her system is mathematical, effective, Oh! wonderful!. Last summer I was practicing drawing the basic blocks, and finally I decided it was worth a try with a real project. This skirt was the perfect project to start with, becasue I always have to alter the comercial patterns to adjust them to my real proportions.

First, I draw the basic skirt block, and then cut it and spread the parts to get a flared long skirt pattern. I was methodicall thorough and through, making first a toile, which already proved perfect, and then cutting the real fabric on the true bias.

I followed all my recently learnt advices from Khalje, Shaeffer and Hirsh to sew the zipper, to apply the underlining, to cut the fabric with the toile and then stitching it all around, to let the skirt hang before marking the hem, etc, etc.

The result was simply perfect.

On with my following project, hello paternmaking, goodbye commercial patterns!

Easy Does It

The best thing about this project is the fabric, it sure is. Not only the colour is espectacular, but also its soft touch and great way of hanging down. I found it in a retail store and it was the only piece they had, so I had to adapt the project to its measure. After doubting between a short sleeved dress, or a long sleeved jumper, I finally reached a middle point, and made a very short dress with thre quarter sleeves. I have to wear it over leggings and a long sleeved bodysuit, but It has came out perfect I think.
The pattern is a classic, it is the same as this dress, and many other knitt and jumper dresses and t-shirts I have sewn over time. I specially like the raglan sleeves.