Simplicity 4760

Simplicity 4760 - A PAIN BUT FINALLY DONE!

So I am going to try my hand again at pants. This time it will be pants for Simon, not me, so it should work out better. I chose Simplicity 4760. I am going to use size small and not medium. Simon's hips are a small, but his waist shows medium. We are not the biggest people and are short compare to the average. All the pants I make are H-U-G-E on us, so a small it is. I hope it works out.

We chose a nice olive green corduroy. I preshrunk the material, traced my pattern and cut out the fabric. I read over the instructions and they look straightforward. Wish me luck!

Pattern on material before I cut it out

Attaching the zipper to the fly:

I decided to take pictures of this because I just know that the next time I go to make these pants I will forget what my sewing instructor told me to do!
Line up the zipper right on the seam of the fly and sew using the zipper foot attachment.

 Fold the sewed side.

Take the other side of the front pants and fold over seam and attach to the zipper, pinning in place. If you prefer baste in place in a contrasting color and remove thread once sewed in place.
Voila! Zipper is now sewed in place.

 The cargo pockets were very easy to make. I chose to install the pockets on the side. They have a nice pleat in the middle and it is easily constructed











The corners were simple to fold and sew. I am not advanced enough to not baste. Pin Pin Pin, Baste, Baste, Baste.
If I want good results, I have to take the extra time.

 The directions are very straightforward for the pocket installation. I did an excellent job installing the pockets.










Now, for the parts I had trouble with. The carriers for the belt loop were too slim for my husband's belt. I had to take it apart and make them wider.

He felt that the pants were a tad bit too high waisted. We could remove 3/4 - 1 inch.

The waistband is basically facing. My instructor and I could not properly understand the waistband installation and I goofed it a tad. I told my husband, I don't care, I don't want to hear it, wear them and don't tell me, I know!

I would make these again, but modify the waistband and the fly.

Simplicity 1916 Misses' Knit Tops

I have decided to make a shirt for my next sewing class project. I chose Simplicity 1916, view A. I had picked out a really nice turquoise stretchy material to match the pants I made in my sewing class. The pants were a washout as they were WAY too big, and not flattering at all. So, I was really hoping that I could make this shirt and wear it. There has not been one thing that I made during the sewing class that I could wear out in public. Stuff I made after at home have come out, and the pants I made for the boys were good. Now, if only I could make something for me!
I had cut out the pattern and material at home. It was straightforward, no issues. I did the first few steps, including the collar, no issues. Then I got to the left and right sides and something was wrong, something DID NOT make sense. What I had done was put the left side on the right side and the right side on the left. Now, being this is stretchy material and if I undid the whole project, including the neckline, the material would rip. SO my sewing instructor help me save it. Now instead of the wrap wrapping to one side, it wraps to the other. No biggie! It is saved.
My instructor, Pauline, suggested when you have a pattern that has a left and a right side, take your tailor's chalk and write LEFT or RIGHT on the piece. That way you do not get confused.
So I only have the arms left to attach and the hem. I tried it on, and it FITS! I used a size 14 and it is a good fit. Unlike all the pants I made a size 14 seems to be good. This pattern is quite low cut, as I found out from other pattern reviews AFTER I cut out the material. I will have to wear this with a camisole underneath. I usually do anyways!
My teacher and I joked that I would not be doing this pattern again. However, after trying it on and seeing that it actually fits, I may just try view D! I will post pictures after I am done this pattern. I have the double jersey Knit needle. I am not sure how to thread it, so I will have to search for some info on the internet before trying it. I will keep you posted!Wish me luck!
This shirt is B-I-G on me. I should have sewed a size 12. Oh well, maybe my niece can wear it? I still have the bottom hem to do, but I want to do this with the serger in my sewing class.


UPDATE
My teacher surged the bottom hem for me and she informed me that there are a few pieces that I put on backwards. With this material it is so hard to tell which side of the fabric is the good side and which is the wrong side. She showed me and I still can't tell. I wore it with a tank top underneath and it looked fine. I am now making everything in size 10, so hopefully these fitting issues will be no more,  

Sewing project

I just finished my first sewing class at Fabricville. I made 2 skirts. I am very proud of myself for finishing not one but 2 skirts. The first one was during the class, and the second one I made the same skirt on my own at home!
We used pattern Simplicity 2286. I chose view B, with pockets. I made it from cotton. This was part of a 3 week, 6 class sewing course.