This is a tale of three parts.
One good…one less so…one really fun.
Let’s start with the good. The Jedediah toile.
I rustled that up earlier in the week from an old sheet. Obviously not comparable in weight to the denim I was planning to make these up in, but I really just wanted to check whether the Mr could get his rugby thighs into them. We have so much trouble with RTW it seemed prudent.
As you can see apart from a little bit of saddlebagging at the hips there is plenty of room in the thighs. Which is all good.
I’d show you the front and side views but:
- I forgot to put the yoke piece on the back before trying them on so they hang all sorts of peculiar at the front and I’m sparing both our blushes.
- Mr decided to test the fit by throwing a very deep squat. Neither the fabric nor the stitching held. Again, blushes being spared.
But, I’m happy to go ahead with cutting these in the fashion fabric and making fitting tweaks as I go along. I think that bubble on his tush will even out in a weightier fabric and once the side seams are fitting better.
I’m delighted with this pattern so far. How often do you get to throw a pattern on to your fashion fabric straight out of the envelope?
So today I did just that. The denim had already been prewashed and dried 3 times so was good to go.
I laid it out on the table.
I laid the pattern on top.
I thought the fabric was wider than it is. There is no way on earth I can get both front and back legs cut out of this length for jeans for either The Husband or myself. If I were a size 12 or 14 then this would work fine. But I’m not. And there’s way too much cake in the world for me ever to be so again I think!
At first I was more than a little frustrated. This is a beautiful weighty denim with just a hint of stretch bought last year from The Cloth House in London. It’s the good stuff. But there’s just not enough. That’s what you get for buying fabric on spec.
It seems a waste to cut it up for jeans for the kids. There’s way too much of it for that. Soooooooo, I’ve got an idea about what I’m going to do. But I’m going to save that for another post. All I’ll say now is that it ties in nicely with my Wardrobe Architect project.
The fun part is that I’ve promised to make these so make them I shall. We shall just have to go fabric shopping.
Oh…the horror! 😉
Vicki Kate says
Oh dear, fabric shopping. The things you do for your Mr!
PendleStitches says
He just doesn’t appreciate the lengths I go to for him!
Jane G says
He’s one in a million,letting you lose with a camera, lol. Hope the next stage goes a bit smoother (I’ve made my second dress 🙂 )
PendleStitches says
I did promise I wouldn’t put them up on the web. I may have had my fingers crossed behind my back whilst I promised. 😉 I can’t wait to see your next dress.
Anne W says
Oh no! Does this mean another trip to the Cloth House, or somewhere else? I’m off to the Sewing Show at the NEC next week, now I have my ideas sorted thanks to the Wardrobe Architect project. I’m crossing my fingers for bulging fabric bags!
PendleStitches says
I wish I was going to the NEC but not this year. Keep an eye out for Linton Tweeds…they usually have some really great bargains. Have a great time.
I’m thinking it’s time I checked out Minerva fabrics. They’re all over the blogosphere at the moment and only about 20 minutes away. It’s shocking I haven’t checked them out already, really.
Anne W says
If you’re close to a bricks and mortar shop, then go for it! I don’t like their website, the photos & colours are shocking, not to mention the odd way you have to search for stuff. As for Linton, they’re usually third on my list, first is Rosenberg followed by a stop at Gill Arnold for a year’s worth of interfacing. Then I’m allowed at the Linton stand, otherwise my entire budget would be shot, all in one go! 🙂
PendleStitches says
Oh I love Rosenberg’s. He usually has such lovely stuff and such great prices. Doesn’t Gill stock the lovely English Couture company interfacings. They are just gorgeous. I’m intending to try their shirt collar interfacing the next time I make a shirt. And I know what you mean about Lintons. I really must get up to their shop this year and make myself a jacket. I have no excuse…it’s only an hour and a half.
Anne W says
I only use Gill’s interfacings, they’re the best! This does mean though, that a good £30 will be spent just there… I can’t wait! 🙂
PendleStitches says
Ah…but a good interfacing makes all the difference. You’re going to have a blast!
fionaparker17 says
O I can’t wait to see how these turn out Evie, I’ve been tempted to make up this pattern for my fella for a while but wanted to see a few more versions before I took the plunge. Looking forward to hearing what you think. You’re so generous with your sewing time making all these things for others!
PendleStitches says
Hahaha..not generous, just anything for a quiet life 😉 I’m really impressed so far with Thread Theory. Which is cool as I also have their t-shirt and cardigan pattern 😉
K-Line says
I just went fabric shopping yesterday. Somehow my siesta didn’t hold! Got 6 yards – 3 for a suit, 1.25 for pants and 1.75 for another Issy top. I somehow don’t feel a bit of guilt or concern. 🙂
PendleStitches says
I wouldn’t either! Sounds like a good use of your time 😉
dokucug says
Best. Title. Ever!! I’m so pleased that the fit worked so well for you on this pattern. Less pleased that your fabric didn’t work! I had a similar experience with the jeans I made myself recently – I swear I bought the right width, so it must have shrunk.
Poor you – having to go fabric shopping! hehehehe!
PendleStitches says
*takes a bow* 😉
Fabric shopping is such a hardship. I may have to go out for coffee whilst I’m there to sustain myself!
Fabric can be so badly behaved sometimes, no?
Chica Andaluza says
I’m sure he’ll never find out about the photos 😉
PendleStitches says
Yeah….hmmm…he did….
Oh well! 😉
Sewing Princess (@sewingprincess1) says
Why are men so much easier to fit than women??? Pity it didn´t work out for that fabric…but I am sure you’ll find more 😉
PendleStitches says
It’s sooooooo annoying!
I’ve already sold that denim (an about to load some more and some patterns onto Etsy) so I’ll soon have a fabric fund to head off to the shops with. Oh, the hardship! 😀
Calico Stretch says
Too little fabric is a boon really, especially if it gets you thinkin’ of an alternative use AND gets you fabric shopping too.
Looking forward to seeing how you get on with these ….. full squats n all.
PendleStitches says
I’ve rehomed the lovely denim and really need to plan that shopping trip soon. Although now I’m on a blouse making kick for myself, he may just have to wait! I’m determined to work through some more stash before I hit the shops.
Honestly…I am!