Red flares

  

This is another pair of flares made, in this case, in a  very warm almost coating fabric which was sold as faux angora. The fabric has amazing drape and I think is going to be very enjoyable to wear as an outfit.

Shame the top came out a little large but I can wear something under it so its not the end of the world. And I am more sure than ever it never needed that neck zip - see previous post for details on that one. Its definitely a size too big. Mind you I do like the extra length on my sleeves. When its really cold outside this is a comfort to wear.

This pair, unlike the grey pair, have a proper waistband. I actually toyed with adding a yoke here and maybe I should have because this pattern is low waisted, but in the end I went with a basic waistband with elastic in a casing - sewn down so it will not twist. The fact these are low waisted would make it very easy to add a yoke. I do like low waisted but sometimes its just nice having a change.

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These days I sew one side of the waistband to the top of the trousers - sew elastic into a circle then to the outer edge of the now sewn on waistband, fold over twice, so its completely encased, and you cannot then feel any elastic when wearing because I hate having elastic next to my skin. I never used to, but making my own clothes has made me more aware of this kind of thing. Then I sew that folded over waistband down with a twin needle which means the elastic is completely encased and stays put and never twists. I will try and get photos of this for the next time I do it because its far better than adding the waistband and then threading the elastic trough. That works, but I always seem to end up with my wide elastic twisting or folding over and by sewing into the waistband itself the elastic just stays where you put it.

 

The side seams are also straight on this pair which is reasuring after the last pair had twists.

Anyway I diverge from what I am meant to be saying- here are the rest of the photos:

 

The jacket defo looks a bit too big. I will cut the smaller size next time I make it for definite.  

But this is going to be a nice warm outfit for this winter and into Spring, so I am still happy enough with this. I suspect I will never be perfectly happy with any of my makes. There will always be something I could have done better! 

Ah and I made a matching hair band too:

Have a great week

Bracken

Soft cozy warm flares

 

As I had planned, at New Year when I made my 2024 list of sewing aims, I decided to cut out some nice cozy warm and soft flares from the fabrics I have recently used to make my Grey Jumper and my Red over top/Jacket.

I have not yet sewn the red trousers but I did finish the grey ones. Thats partly because I (stupidly!) decided to again try to get along with a comfy yoga band. 

 

Well of course they now fall down all the time so I will have to alter that soon. The red ones will be having a normal elastic waistband instead.

I wore these when I went swimming with my son. Well my son did not find it cold, but I was freezing. I do not think the swimming pool was actually that cold, it was just me.

When we got out I was so happy to have worn my grey suit because I felt cozy immediately I had these clothes on. I was not a particularly cold day but after swimming I always feel the cold. Its January but I tend to feel cold at swimming baths even in July.

I did not actually make them for after swim but since my intention is to swim regularly then that could mean its a good outfit for the next month or so until it starts to warm up. Even in summer, on a hot day, I will not wear shorts when I go swimming. I have lovely cozy warm clothing for after-swim.

And yes very cozy and comfy these are too.

Interestingly the pattern on these trousers is straight. I tried so hard to get that right. I took ages over lining it all up because when I made the jumper it all came out slightly at an angle. I don't mind because its still a lovely cozy top but it was frustrating. 

I actually measured the pattern against the selvedge for the top using a ruler and lining up the SG arrows. That did not work. So this time I went with how it looks for the trousers and that has worked except for one small problem. The side seams twist a little. I have had this with RTW but it really annoys me. My partner tells me you cannot see this but I notice when wearing them.

So: I have a top where the seams are perfect and everything is straight but the actual pattern is off. 

Or I have trousers with perfect looking pattern and the seams twist. 

I am coming to the conclusion the fabric is just naff thats why it was so cheap. Its a very soft lovely fabric and was seriously cheap at £5 for 3m. I assume thats why!

Still the downside sometimes of buying offers and cheaper lines is you get imperfect fabrics. The seller should say this but often they don't. Never mind. For the rest of this winter at least I will be warm and cozy and I felt good wearing this so thats what counts.

It feels stylish as well as warm. 

Have a great week,

Bracken