Shorts Saga...

Previously I wrote about my shorts initiative. Here... Comfy Shorts  so an update might be nice. I did make one pair with the pattern I had drafted from my own pants. Well, it was SO small in the hip area. What I did was just cut it right up both sides. Then I sewed in a trapezoidal panel that was less wide at the top - one side to the front and one side to the back. Both sides. Then redid waist. Now it has sort of a skort look but they are wearable for Summer.  Nice save.  Bit unfashionable but nice and cool! With this top I look a lot heavier as well. Sigh. :)

The next pair of shorts I decided to use a KWIK SEW pattern I had bought on ETSY. Original white paper and all. KS2837. 

I have to tell you - I thought I picked the right size. Good grief - Those babies were so large I could have invited in several other ladies to wear them with me. I mean really. Not only huge but completely would have covered my neck had I pulled them up to fit! Used a Carolina Cloth from Home Sew in a lovely neutral light creamy tan. Really nice, all cotton, kind of crumpley after washing.  So I washed that all cotton in scalding hot water and did it twice hoping for shrinkage. But no, when you WANT shrinkage you don't get it. So - today I cut off the waistband and tossed it, trimmed and finished the top edge and did an elastic waistband again with the sew-flip-sew method and what do you know! Now the fit is fine. They are large in the legs but I like that. No pictures of these yet. So that pattern really runs large and I could have used at least one to two sizes smaller. 

I should have just cut out shorts from my TNT Burda. What was I thinking! Here is that Burda I love, Burda 2614. 

 

Review a Past Project Contest on PR...the best kind of contest...

 

Contest - there will not be judging nor will there be voting! Sounds like MY kind of contest!Not really a fan of contests at this point in life, but this one is gonna be fun. :) Thanks to the originator of the contest. Plus Summer usually brings an element of the doldrums to PR, and this seems to be giving it a little kick this well! :)  I have lots of things I can enter. Did the first one today.  I decided the little Scrubs pattern needed doing! :)  We'll see what else I put in there, as all there is to do is write! :)
 

Finally Three More Tops Finished...Pamela's Perfect Tee Wins Pattern Comparison...

Above is the best fit. The floral isn't my favorite but the fabric was a poly crepe from Girl Charlee and was a pleasure to serge and sew!  The neckband fit perfectly. This is Pamela's Patterns Perfect Tee and it is. I shall make it again, but use my shoulder template to trim the upper bodice area a bit and raise the bodice between shoulder and bust as I would usually do. I left out the darts. I really don't need them. There are two versions in the pattern. Darted and not darted. This is a wonderful pattern that is the first tee not to pull back over my shoulders when wearing - it is drafted for the mature woman. And it really is! I heartily recommend it. I would love to remake it in a fabric I loved! 

The rather off grey sleeved top is that way because I had run out of fabric for sleeves so I cut them out of a tee I was never going to wear that I had laying around. :) The fabric on all these three tops in this blog post is from Girl Charlee on sale, and I was pleased. This particular mint/teal floral was a pleasure to sew on even though very light and airy. Mostly cotton with some spandex. It is very comfy to wear and it feels cool. The sleeves are all cotton grey knit. Also very comfy and light. But it is not a pretty top! :) I won't be wearing it out, but around the house it is fine. And most of my time is around the house! The pattern is New Look 6458 and I just turned under the sleeves and neckline for finishing.It does fit although the length made for not too roomy at the bottom. I usually increase both sleeve and length.

 The green and yellow pretty fabric top is from another go at the Breezy Tee pattern from Always Autumn. :) It is really a nice fit except the sleeves which are cut-on. I had to slice the side seams and make the armholes larger this time - my fault for not measuring. This pattern really isn't large enough for me but I cut it quite a bit larger in side seams and it is a nice fit at the neckline so I keep trying it! :) She does a good job on drafting but it is only the one size so you have to make it fit you! That fabric was awful. It slid and slipped and was able to thwart every trick I know (yes, Microtex needle, dual feed, etc., etc....silly fabric!) so the neckline I gave up on and just soldiered through a neckline turn-under and it is not perfect. However, it is odd how when worn it looks like a design feature. HAHAHAHA....

So - in Conclusion - BEST TEE PATTERN yet is Pamela's Perfect Tee, but the others are also doable. I do like to keep trying that Breezy Tee! :) But I like a higher neckline which the Pamela's Pattern gives me.  Also, Pamela's Tee allows for other necklines, including a V if you love that style, plus various sleeve variations. I will be making it again. I am done with trying other top patterns now I think!

FOOTNOTE: I made a couple more kitty quilts, one very small for the top of our cat tree and one that is larger. And now scraps are gone! YES!!! Well, let's face it I have a few but not enough to fit in a one of my food storage bags! YEA!