Yes! I have finished items that I can actually wear!
First, I did some adjusting to my trouser pattern to see about making them like Burda 8365. You can see the changes – the white on the bottom is my block (which I used as-is for the plus-fours), the tissue is the pattern, and the wax paper (it’s cheap and see-through!) is my trouser pattern, with green sharpie markings. As it was a success, I have transferred it onto some random sew-in interfacing I got for free.
I was going to do a fly front, but I really don’t like the seams and buttons showing through t-shirts, so at the last minute I did an invisible zipper on the side seam. I love them. The pictures are a little wrinkled because I’ve been wearing them since I finished them. :D
The only struggle will be figuring out what colours to wear with them. Black is my standard, but it’s rather Halloween-y. I like grey, but this is my only non-Halloween grey t-shirt, and it’s a little small.
The side seam comes too far forward at the top, but I have adjusted that on my block and my trouser pattern. This was my error, as I had been mucking around with the waist size.
There is a little wrinkling under the bum, but that might be because I haven’t clipped the seams… I’m not sure, though.
The block is Stephanie’s (3 Hours Past) trouser block. I used her instructions (Well, sort of. I steamed ahead, then she emailed me back and I confirmed I had done it the smart way.) to alter the trouser pattern. As you can see, I didn’t alter it too much, as I wanted high-waisted, wide-legged pants. I am considering the patch pockets, but haven’t added them yet.
The plus fours are also a success, but I know they won’t get as much wear as the trousers. For one, they’re navy. I don’t really wear navy. For two, they’re thick brushed twill, which is much too warm for the summer. They’ll be excellent pants to wear around the house, though. I’ll be making the shorts length of the pattern out of the grey linen I purchased, as I don’t have enough for anything longer.
The Blank Canvas Tee also turned out quite well. This is after a day of wearing it under a sweatshirt, so IDK what’s going on with those sleeves! When freshly washed, they aren’t as bunchy… although the French terry is thick enough, I kind of wish I had done a simple hem instead of binding them. The bra I wore this shirt with over the weekend did NOT show through as much. Sigh. I will have to make some adjustments here as well, if I make it again in the French terry. In a thinner fabric, the stretch isn’t as noticeable, and the sleeves have a little more drape. I’m planning on doing the flutter sleeve variation as well, as I’ve found some pretty burnout knit that would be wonderful to wear in the summer.
All in all, I am extremely happy with both the trouser block, and the Blank Canvas Tee. Playing with these patterns (especially the block) under the guidance of someone who sees fit in a similar way I do has made all the difference in my understanding of sewing, and fitting my body. I have taken sewing and drafting classes before, and I haven’t been happy with the results I’ve had with my sewing. Now I can make myself a bazillion pairs of trousers, and they will all fit, no matter which pattern I base them on!
These look so so so great! You did wonderful work, and thanks so much for all your lovely words. It was a pleasure to work with you. :) Keep it up! :D
I am SO HAPPY with my trousers! If I had the money for the fabric and zippers, I’d probably become a trouser-making-machine. Having a block really does make all the difference! Next up, if I can find the fabric I know is around here somewhere, is a high-waisted pair from a Calvin Klein Vogue pattern…