Burgundy joggers 118 / 11/2024

I have been ill. Much more ill than I would have expected from a cold so I reckon either flu or more likely COVID. 

I am not really better but the meds the doctor gave me have certainly helped. Hopefully back to feeling normal by next week.

I am though far better than when writing my last post and so I started to sew up the joggers 118 11/2024. Assuming no serious setbacks requiring me to cut a new piece I intend to also make the matching hoody. 

Anyway I began with the side panels and pockets. I did not do it the burda way. I did this my way.

1) sew pocket to side panel. I overlocked.

2) sew side panel with attached pocket to front piece. Overlocked together. But then as expected I missed a small bit where you need to sew a curve at bottom of pocket where it joins the side panel. Well I expected this. Experience tells me I will do this. I don't know if I just expect too much from the power of the overlocker or if it's me not being very good. But I seem to usually mess this bit up so I only overlocked and cut off half the seam allowance then got out my Janome and zigzagged where the seam should be which also reinforced those bits by sewing a second lot of stitches to stop the pockets coming undone when I slouch around hands in pockets in the future. I also zigzagged at the top of the pocket where the side panel is. Burda says baste here. I hate hand swing and this looks fine.

So ended day 1 of sewing this up. I hope smaller bite sized goes at sewing will mean I get something done this week.

 I think the pockets will hide nicely behind the side panels. I might though, on another pair, try top stitching the side panels to see how that looks. This time it's all just basic and hopefully will work 

Day 2:

I actually nearly finished these joggers despite I have not been very well. I had to stop here because I only have 1inch elastic. The pattern requires 2 inch. 

So that's about 5 cm I think. I have ordered enough for 2 pairs of these in case I love them enough to make a second pair. That's quite likely. Though the waistband seems low at the back. It could be it's ok once the elastic goes in. I won't know till I finish these but will let you know. The waist is below natural waist. I never realised but the pattern does say that. Being as I actually prefer lower waist it shouldn't bother me. Again won't know for sure until I can wear them. My other joggers all have high waisted but I tend to fold them over to lower them which really ruins the look. As a (young in the ) 90s/00s girl I like lower waisted jeans. They seem to be back now too. I should perhaps stock up in the sales rather than rely on my not very perfect jeans sewing!

I had a few problems sewing the waistband onto these and ended up doing a row of zig zag inside the overlocked row.

It won't show but I reckon the Brother should sew this fabric easy so maybe I need to take time to do some proper sewing machine oiling and cleaning. It's been at least 6 or maybe 9 months. Probably time for a proper service. I may need to do a weekend of that I think rather than more sewing. It's annoying but hopefully will make all the difference.

I intend to cut a matching sweatshirt for these next and also return to sewing the dress I started. The dress needs a normal machine next not overlockers so I can get on with the that perhaps while sorting the overlocker(s). 

Sometimes you just have to do a bit of maintenance. If that doesn't sort it and it happens with a different type of fabric I may have to consider paying a professional. Unfortunately the last time I got to this point a professional was so expensive it was cheaper to just buy a new overlocker. But now I have 3 of them and 3 normal machines. They all work to a point and I do use all of them. I should set one overlocker up for rolled edges really. 

It's not so bad having 3 normal machines cos one is permanently a zipper foot machine, one has a walking foot, and one is a permanent twin needle machine ( and neither of the others can sew with twin needles!). So it all works pretty well. If only I had space to set everything up permanently. 

With young kids around that's just not an option, so I do get messy but the machines are always locked away if there are any children around.

I am considering another jogger and sweatshirt set in this rather loud but fun Cheshire cat design.

 Though it will be easier to wear as a top than trousers. I did love this when I saw it and bought enough for me and one small person who I think will enjoy it. It would be a shame for it to just be more pjs though. I found several of my "louder" tracksuit sets have become pjs. Though it was very nice when I had to stay in hospital to own them I must say and nice PJ's are good to have. 

you can see the side seams here with side panels. The pockets are cleverly hidden in the side panel.

So this is now another UFO or should that be WIP? It's on hold till I get elastic either way.

Have a nice week.

Thanks for visiting me,

Bracken