Skull cami top

Well really there isn't much I can say about this top. 

 

I made it from the scraps from the leggings. 

 

This is another version of the Rebecca Page cami pattern. I made a basic ribbed version of this a few weeks ago. 

I decided to try this in stretch lycra fabric since I can just about squeeze this from the offcuts from my skull leggings. I mean just about, because the front and back are very mismatched patternwise but it was a difficult job making this from the small bit of fabric I had left over.

 

Since there was only ever a metre of this fabric there was really very little scrap so the top had to fit into what I had. That means the back is slightly longer than the front - so I curved the edges which works,  and the straps are a contrast stretch black fabric. 

Also my print is way out at the front to what the back is but its a bonus top really so who cares.

I think it looks OK

I wanted the straps to be secure for exercise so got my partner to pin them for me. 

Unlike the original pattern these crossover, so will not fall off when I do yoga.

He did pretty good because I just had to make a few slight adjustments to get them even.

  This is after they were sewn on:

Its a great exercise outfit anyway and I have enjoyed it today. Of course I will not always wear both items together but I am happy to have got a second item from my single metre of fabric meaning no including the cost of elastic and thread which I already owned, this cost me just £10.99. Bargain eh!.

 Thanks for dropping by my blog

Bracken

Burda Easy camoflage dress

I really felt success when I first put this  dress on. Its a Burda Easy pattern from this magazine

 

I made it from what was left from my camo leggings

 There was so litle fabric I actually had no seam allowance on part of this so I had to sew really carefully down the very edge of the fabric with my overlocker because I could not afford to cut anything off in some parts. I carefullymarkesd the sewing line with pins so I did not get confused. Most of it did have seam allowace but there were two bits on the front seams with none. I sewed much slower than usual. 

Then there is the neckline with the slightly too big loops. This was seriously outside my comfort zone tho. Its not perfect but Ok for my first attempt at something like this. I would have liked better but I am not unhappy and could not risk taking appart and damaging the fabric. The facing was also far too small but it just about works. Then there is the very dodgy uneven wobbly stitching round the neck which holds the smaller than it should be facing down. It all works thanks to the camo pattern hiding where I wobbled and sewed it wrong. 

Have to say I am so very happy with this despite everything. I wore it once so far and it definitely suits early autumn. Its not cold here yet, just wet, so this is a good dress for now and for once I have sewed up something that actually fits the time of year. Thats just a  coincidence of course but it still makes me feel happy. I am going to enjoy this dress I can see that already. I need some baseball boots. I think they would suit this look and time of year.

Hems are all twin needle stitched and its sewn up entirly with an overlocker except for my dodgy top stitching round the neck line.

Not unusual for Burda this is quite a bit longer on me than in the magazine photos. Maybe I am just much shorter than their models. I am 170cm tall tho so OK for most pattern company patterns. I do seem to have lots of Burda makes though that turn out much longer than I am expecting.

 

Considering the side panel fabric is the opposite way up to the rest of the dress I think this has actually worked out rather well and proves you should be daring with any scraps and take risks even if the patterm only just fits on the fabric. Of course the camo print helps immensly with making this work.  

 

Sewn slowly and carefully though, you really can sew things up with little or no excess seam allowance. You mustnot cut anything off o the narow bits so it ends up the same width through the entire seams. I should have taken a phot so I can explain better but never thought at the time. 

I feel I really got the most out of this fabric which is great because it was one of my expensive birthday buys. I have a very small number of scraps left. Not sure what else I can make but for now they are in the stash. They might do a facing or something. Or maybe some underwear?

Take care

Bracken

Skull sports leggings

I bought this fabric along with a few more proper good quality lycra fabrics on my birthday. They are the most expensive farics I have ever bought, at least since I returned to sewing back in 2011. I have yet to use most of the others.  

 

I needed a basic leggings pattern for these because I do not want loads of sections and seams breaking up the print. So these are yet another version of my TNT leggings pattern McCalls 6173.

Well it works and gives me what I need for this. Its not a challenge though to make this pattern other than the expensive fabric that is. Though I did go to great legths to keep the grainline straight. 

 

I am really very happy to have made these though I think maybe my waist elastic is a bit too loose. I have yet to wear them for long so I may end up taking the elastic off and reattaching but we will see.

This fabric is from Ebay here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Multi-Psychedelic-Checker-Square-Skulls-Floral-Lycra-Print-4-Way-Spandex-Fabric/283740447884?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=585151807349&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Despite this is very expensive leggings fabric (for me anyway) it is good quality and its proper exercise type fabric, rather than the cheapo stuff I have been getting away with, and I am very happy with it. 

 

After I made my camo leggings ( which is another of these expensive lycra fabrics) with ruched ankles by mistake I made sure these leggings were normal length. Even then I ended up taking the ankles in quite a bit because this pattern always gives me loose baggy ankles but other than that expected adjustment these worked out just as intended.

Since I only bought 1m of this as well I am very happy with these, though wishing I had bought my usual 2m this time. I never expected the fabric to be so wearable though, being a skull print. But it is. Its lovely!

I have a tiny bit left that maybe I can squeeze a matching top from. I have yet to investigate my numerous patterns to decide on that but even if these extra fabric bits end up as swimwear or underwear I do not care. I love these leggings and when I wore them out - just shopping - they got loads of attention and I do not think anyone realised I made these myself.

If I find something I can make from the left overs I will show you that later. 

The pink lace top was made a couple of years ago and its worn over my orange cami which I made a few weeks ago.

For now I am happy to have these in my Autumn sports wardrobe. 

Stay safe

Bracken

Camo leggings

 

So these are a pair of my TNT pattern - McCalls 6173. The fabric is proper sportswear lycra fabric!!!!

 Hence I am using a TNT pattern. 

 These are the most expensive leggings I have ever made! 

 

 I bought 4 pieces of this fabric in different designs with money given me for my birthday. I had 2m of this particular design. I am hoping to make something else with what is left of it but do not know what right now.

When I made these I forgot the pattern has 3 lengths and accidentally cut out the ruched bottom version. Its not what I intended but works OK and will make it easier to wear these with booys come the nasty wet weather we will have soon.

The top is the Rebecca Page cami top I made a while ago.

Its a very good yoga outfit. I have been doing Zoom yoga classes the last few weeks. Its actually really pushing me because I discovered I am almost able to cross my legs now as in Lotus position but not qite there as yet so hopefully Yoga will help. The physio said it would take about 9 months for me to get back to normal. Its now 10 months after my op and I have to say I am not quite there yet but I am hoping the yoga will help me.

At least I have lost some of the weight I put on last year. ( not that you can tell here but never mind!)

So all in all, I am happy with these despite the small mishap of cutting them too long. Ruched ankles is Ok and the fabric is far too expensive to go cutting off the bottom. Winter is coming and its definitley feeling Autumnal here so these are the start of my Autumn workout gear. 

I am back at work now but still trying to keep safe.

Take care everyone and stay safe whatever you are doing.

Bracken