Happy perihelion, everybody! I actually sewed something. My first make of 2015 is a pair of Sewaholic Tofinos, made with a formerly-white ecru-but-now-tea-stained fitted flannel sheet that had developed a crazy big hole in the middle.
Now, wait, I hear you say. You're not supposed to be sewing anything new until you clear the bookcase of shame! Does that mean you've done it? Good for you!
Er, no. Sorry. I got special permission to sew these because my old pyjama pants were literally falling apart. The fabric is really weak at the butt and patch jobs were no longer cutting it. It's very cold in my apartment, so I really don't need the extra air-conditioning, ifyouknowwhatImean.
These Tofinos are a wearable muslin. I had cut the fabric before the break and sewed them up yesterday, followng Karen from Did You Make That?'s Tofino sew-along. Even though Sewaholic's instructions are really clear, the sew-along had many useful tips -- like how to ensure that intersecting seams actually intersect.
I cut a straight size 4. It's a bit tight in the rear rise, but I think that because I cut the waist elastic to my waist measurement instead of a bit larger, it sits right at my natural waist and brings everything up. Am I crazy to say that Sewaholic is designed for a very low rise -- I have a low rise and even I'm finding both these and the Thurlows a bit too short. As to the elastic, I was a bit confused because Karen says to use a 1/4" and the instructions say to use 1 1/2". I was going to use the 1/4" elastic from the fitted sheet, but I got bored with unpicking the fabric and decided to use the stuff I bought for my "real" pair of Tofinos.
I used red thread, because why not? The pop of colour at the buttonholes and faux fly is fun, and I decided to emphasize the side seams by machine-embroidering up the side seams, which idea I wish I'd had before I sewed the whole thing up. I tried it anyway, but fabric bunching as it went through meant that the embroidery clumps together in some spots and is spread out in others. There may have been swearing. Oh well. Let's call it artisinal.
Since the sheets have a 'right' (aka fuzzy) side and a 'wrong' (aka not-fuzzy) side, I sewed them up with the 'wrong' side out so the fuzzy would be next to my skin. Except for the waist and two front sections, which are 'right' side out; the waist because I want the fuzzy next to my skin, the fronts because I messed up and didn't feel like fixing it. They are so comfy. I'm going to wear 'em until they fall apart -- which could be sooner than I think because the sheet was in even worse shape than I realized and there are small holes on the front and back of one leg. The DC has offered to patch them for me (there is sheet left and he finds hand-sewing soothing), but it's going to be a while before he can because I'm always wearing them.
UPDATE: I took them off long enough to go grocery shopping, which is apparently long enough for the DC to patch the holes. He did a proper patch on the back rather-large hole and I suggested heart-shaped ones for the tiny holes on the front. They are totes adorbs.
I'm planning another pair, using this cushy plaid flannel and navy blue piping. I think I will try to get some navy blue satin or something for the tie, though, because the flannel tie plus elastic is a wee bit bulky. I will hem them a little bit longer, too -- that hem is kind of ridiculous. I might even make the DC a similar pair.
Oh, and since I wore my first make of last year to a party on the last day of the year, looks like I've already got next New Year's Eve planned...
Now, wait, I hear you say. You're not supposed to be sewing anything new until you clear the bookcase of shame! Does that mean you've done it? Good for you!
Er, no. Sorry. I got special permission to sew these because my old pyjama pants were literally falling apart. The fabric is really weak at the butt and patch jobs were no longer cutting it. It's very cold in my apartment, so I really don't need the extra air-conditioning, ifyouknowwhatImean.
These Tofinos are a wearable muslin. I had cut the fabric before the break and sewed them up yesterday, followng Karen from Did You Make That?'s Tofino sew-along. Even though Sewaholic's instructions are really clear, the sew-along had many useful tips -- like how to ensure that intersecting seams actually intersect.
I cut a straight size 4. It's a bit tight in the rear rise, but I think that because I cut the waist elastic to my waist measurement instead of a bit larger, it sits right at my natural waist and brings everything up. Am I crazy to say that Sewaholic is designed for a very low rise -- I have a low rise and even I'm finding both these and the Thurlows a bit too short. As to the elastic, I was a bit confused because Karen says to use a 1/4" and the instructions say to use 1 1/2". I was going to use the 1/4" elastic from the fitted sheet, but I got bored with unpicking the fabric and decided to use the stuff I bought for my "real" pair of Tofinos.
I used red thread, because why not? The pop of colour at the buttonholes and faux fly is fun, and I decided to emphasize the side seams by machine-embroidering up the side seams, which idea I wish I'd had before I sewed the whole thing up. I tried it anyway, but fabric bunching as it went through meant that the embroidery clumps together in some spots and is spread out in others. There may have been swearing. Oh well. Let's call it artisinal.
Since the sheets have a 'right' (aka fuzzy) side and a 'wrong' (aka not-fuzzy) side, I sewed them up with the 'wrong' side out so the fuzzy would be next to my skin. Except for the waist and two front sections, which are 'right' side out; the waist because I want the fuzzy next to my skin, the fronts because I messed up and didn't feel like fixing it. They are so comfy. I'm going to wear 'em until they fall apart -- which could be sooner than I think because the sheet was in even worse shape than I realized and there are small holes on the front and back of one leg. The DC has offered to patch them for me (there is sheet left and he finds hand-sewing soothing), but it's going to be a while before he can because I'm always wearing them.
UPDATE: I took them off long enough to go grocery shopping, which is apparently long enough for the DC to patch the holes. He did a proper patch on the back rather-large hole and I suggested heart-shaped ones for the tiny holes on the front. They are totes adorbs.
I'm planning another pair, using this cushy plaid flannel and navy blue piping. I think I will try to get some navy blue satin or something for the tie, though, because the flannel tie plus elastic is a wee bit bulky. I will hem them a little bit longer, too -- that hem is kind of ridiculous. I might even make the DC a similar pair.
Oh, and since I wore my first make of last year to a party on the last day of the year, looks like I've already got next New Year's Eve planned...
D"awwwww! He made you heart-shaped patches? What a keeper! I do think Tasia preferes a low-rise - that's the only reason I've never made Thurlows. I like things to go to my waist or else suddenly everything is hanging out.
ReplyDeleteThese sound so cosy - get cracking on the next pair! :)
Love those adorable heart patches! <3 <3 Good to know about the low rise. I have this pattern and will need to grade up anyway. I will keep that in mind, too, when doing so.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your next version in plaid!