Jeans for my boyfriend and confession about not ever using a muslin

I was playing with an idea to make a pair of jeans for my other half for a while, as he always struggles to find a pair to fit, having a little bum a skinny legs. So I came with an idea to make him a pair for Christmas. Then I spend a lot of time looking for the right fabric. Unfortunately it couldn't have been too thick as my poor old sewing machine would definitely not manage, but not too thin either. I ended up finding fabric on Etsy. It's pretty good, not as good as on shop bought jeans, but good enough. As I ordered it from Korea, I bought enough for two pairs of jeans. And then my lovely boyfriend decided he would love his second pair to be lined, so he doesn't have to wear long johns.

I cut an old pair of his Levi's jeans up and copied them to create a pattern. I knew they needed little adjusting, but decided to do it while making them. Many of you probably think it's a bit strange approach, but I've never used a muslin.

To be honest I only recently discovered reading sewing blogs how many of you actually do it. That must sound really weird coming from a person who's been sewing for 20 years (I can't believe it's been that long). I only wished I used it on only about handful items in all those years. Mostly not due to a bad fit but generally an item not being suitable for my body shape. I might sound a bit stupid, but would like to ask what fabric do people use for a muslin? I am really not a beginner, I've made everything from tops and dresses to trousers and jackets and handbags, waistcoats, coats, skirts and shorts, fleeces and rucksacks and suits and shirts. That's as much as I can remember. I have finished all of my sewing projects apart from one dress, which has been sitting in my sewing box for few years, because it does not fit me anymore )-:.

But to get back to my jeans project, I thought I could show a bit more than just the finished item, so this is how my jeans project started, I took jeans apart.....

... and copied them to create pattern.

 

And ta-dah... finished jeans, at first the unlined ones, my boyfriend prefers this pair, I shortened the bottom area, made them tighter at thighs and hips and widen the leg bottom.

 

This is the pair he got for Christmas, apart from the fact, he got it week or two before Christmas. I really paid attention to all the details, even the leather detail on the back of waistband, with cut out initials of mine and label on the back pocket. Hope you like it.

The second pair is lined, it's nearly the same, apart from having straight leg. I used the lining from his old work trousers, which I didn't even have to alter.  And I changes the stitching on the back pockets and the colour of the top stitch threads.

New bracelet

As the weather was really bad last weekend, we spend it at home and I managed to work on a new item for my Etsy shop, new leather hand cuff bracelet. I bought leather remnant in caramel lite colour few month ago on Etsy from Shellys Supply http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShellysSupply?ref=shop_sugg. It's been waiting to be used for a while. Originally bought it to use for elbow patches for one of my denim jackets, but the piece was big enough for few projects, so why not to make a hand cuff bracelet. I wanted to keep this one very simple, but at the end added a leather fringe and vintage button. I am pretty pleased with the result. I've just bought another leather remnant from Shellys Supply, it's about a time I made hand cuff for myself as well.

I pod monkey case

My stepson Oscar got an I pod for Christmas, so few weekends ago we've decided to make him a case for it. After a little discussion we've decided on a monkey design on the front and denim at the back with a little pocket, dark blue lining with white stripes. Oscar came with an idea to embroider number nine on the pocket to remind him that he was 9 years old when he got his I pod. He did it himself and have done a pretty good job.
He helped with the design, picked the fabrics, buttons and I did the sewing. As the fabrics were a bit thick, it was a bit tricky to put together, it could have been a little bit bigger, but we've been both happy with the finished case.

Its always great to keep all the offcuts, never know when they come handy.

This is the drawing of our design. Changed few things along the way.

 

And our finished I pod case from the front.

 

And from the back.



A month has gone....

I cannot believe it's been a month since my last post. As I do work a bit more now, there is not really much time for sewing plus there hasn't been any sun for ages, so taking pictures has been literally impossible.

So what have I managed to make?

Few Christmas presents, apron and a chef's hat for my sweet stepson Oscar, with his name embroidered on a pocket, pair of jeans for my lovely boyfriend. I have used an old pair of his Levis jeans, cut them up and copied them to create a pattern. I have done few alterations, so they really fit him well. Now I'm working on a second pair, but I'm lining them with lining from his old work trousers, just to make things a bit more complicated :-). Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of them.

And my last Christmas present was a handmade fabric basket with couple of homemade chutneys. It's been first fabric basket I've ever made. I must say that making it was really satisfying, nice result in no time! My shortest ever sewing project! I've used fabric from an old skirt and vintage trim for the outside and old men's shirt for the inside. Very green as always! Was planning to make few of them, but only made one.

So what do you think?

I was given the best Christmas present ever, an adjustable dressmakers dummy. Now I feel like a real professional.

Oh, some great news, I have made my first sale on Etsy, hurrah!!! I've sold one of my tunics. Posted it to Canada last week. What a strange idea, that someone on the other side of the world is going to be wearing something I designed!

Last weekend I finally managed to take pictures of four of my items, 3 tops and one denim jacket, which I started listing on Etsy. All of them are made of recycled fabrics.

1. Colour block asymmetric tunic, which I think looks kind of interesting and it's made out of recycled men's shirt and a bed sheet, yeah really a bed sheet. I've made a summer dress for myself few years back out of it and had a piece left. Never know when it's going to come handy.

2. Sleeveless top, very simple top with vintage lace detail, three vintage turquoise buttons and vintage light blue bias binding. And it's also made from recycled men's shirt, can't really define the colour, something between light brown and lilac.

3. Oversized silk top, I combined red silk sari fabric with blue cotton with nearly invisible paisley pattern from men's shirt. I like how it worked out, it creates a slimmer silhouette. Was thinking to keeping it for myself, but then decided to list it in my Etsy shop.

4. Denim jacket, this one is a bit different than my other jackets, I went for a classic cut and kept some of jeans features, used pockets, waistband, even three sets of buttons and button holes and created hidden buttons. The sleeves can be turned up to uncover flowery cotton. This one is a smaller size, UK size 8. Having a dressmakers dummy really helps.

Do you like any of them?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! Make it the one to remember!