After my 1st pair of pull-on shorts, I wanted to try a 2nd pair with a few mods to see how they would improve the fit. Since the first pair immediately went with me on a trip to Bellingham and became sleep shorts (super great for hotel lounging and sleeping), I decided to take a leap and sketch the 2nd pair in a whole different manner than my norm - laying down. It's actually quite a departure from most of how I sketch all my art, so it felt good to take this small risk. For I never really know if a drawing will turn out. They always evolve.
What do you say... did I get it pretty close? We actually took the photos after I did the sketch. I tried to emulate the pose as much as I could recall without looking at it.
This go round, I used a pretty fern pattern to trim the pockets. I bought the two prints together at a quilt shop sale.
Isn't that beautiful?!
You'd never notice until it's sewn together, but the back leg hem is slightly lower than the front. Thank you Jalie, for thinking of those small details.
Eva Dress 1935 Lounging Pajamas Top, is what I'm wearing with the shorts in the above photo. I started it eons ago, then because it required a turn of the armscye which was squared and since it's quilting cotton would likely shred, I got "stuck" and it hung out in my UFO pile for ages. Finally, I decided to just play. Like "no worries if it failed" kind of play. I grabbed some seam tape and attached it. You know, I quite liked it. For being such a squirrly, slippery fabric, It was much easier to sew with than I expected. And, it offers such a professional finish! See it peaking out above the V below?
Here's the other reason I was stuck on this 1935 PJ top - the back was baggy, baggy, baggy in the swayback area. Not flattering on my curvy body. So, again, I played. This time, I grabbed a bunch of cotton swim elastic (which would be soft in case I decided to sleep in the top) and went to town ruching.
For the shorts, I narrowed both inner and outer seams at the leg and took in the waist a wee bit. Like miniscule amounts - 1/8 to 3/8". I also took in the CF so it wasn't so blouse-y, and opted to skip the area of the pocket where the waist band is stitched down. That left the pockets a bit too open, but it was worth trying.
The shorts still bunch up and wad up in my inseam. Bummer. The fabric is a bit stiff still.
The shorts still bunch up and wad up in my inseam. Bummer. The fabric is a bit stiff still.
Hello bum wrinkles. Say, isn't that CB of the PJ top nice? What a win!
I'm feeling ok about the whole thing. Not super great, but not bad either. I'll probably sleep in both as time goes by. But, I need to set both patterns aside for a while and try something different. These were both very fun learning processes that will likely help me excel on my next pants and tops. Worth the time.
What's on your UFO pile that could use some playful inspiration?
What's on your UFO pile that could use some playful inspiration?
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