Patterned velvet leggings with a bat fabric waistband

These are really just my usual basic leggings pattern made up in a very nice (quite large!) scrap of much loved stashed fabric.

 

Possibly not shown to their best here when worn with my comfy blue top. But this is a REAL photo after all. This is how I actually tend to dress.

They do look better for the blog without the blue top:

The basic red vest is a dress I made yonks ago and I cut off the bottom a couple of years later. I do wear it much more now though. The fact I made that dress back in the summer of 2017 kind of proves this blog is not just about making fast fashion though. I tend to keep most items until they are either worn out or I hate them in which case they get donated to charity.

 

The waistband is just a scrap of bat fabric left over from the bat bikini. I am currently looking for some fabric to make a longer version of this bikini. I want to go swimming at the local baths and prefer a more covered costume for that. I wear the bat bikini under my wetsuit when we are surfing in Cornwall, so modesty is no issue there. May be its my age, but I do not feel confident about my body right now and prefer a more covered up look at the moment.

 

I decided the swim suit offcut would work better than using velvet because the leggings made with velvet waistbands last year were much more bulky than this is and as it happens I am happy how these have turned out so its something to do next time I make velvet trousers of any kind.  Though you can only just see the bats but never mind its working well as a waistband. And I get to see the inside of the waistband too, and it makes me happy. Small things!

The velvet has lycra which should keep them in shape. I have found the usual polyester stretch velvet is not very good for leggings (and flares as well) because the knees go baggy very quickly, though makes acceptable ( and much cheaper) baggy trousers. Eg the Cerena pattern worked well in cheapo ( non-lycra) velvet - I must make a new pair of them at some point in fact!

I seem to wear the Cerena loads now I changed them to seperates - or the trousers part get worn loads anyway. I cannot remember when I last wore the top. It needs to be bra-less or worn with a very small strapless bra and I do not really want that look. I am just too old now to carry it off well. But the Cerena pants have become part of my everyday lounge wear. Next time making them though I really must add the pockets.

I think  these leggings will be the last item in velvet for this winter / spring. I have actually packed away my remaining bits of velvet fabrics until next winter. Even though my fabric stash has diminished loads, I still have far too much ( useful and wanted) fabric so I bought some heavy duty and rodent proof storage boxes. 

I don't think my shed currently has rodents but its well known that if you stick fabric in a shed the rats and mice move into it so this is going to be stored in a nice dry shed in black strong storage boxes. I have done this before in summer and its worked well for me. Not that I reccommend sticking fabric outside in any environment but where I live we simply have not enough space so its the only way to organise my life ( and my fabric). In fact we really need to move to a bigger place. Thats something we are currently considering because its very expensive where we live right now and just a mile up the road we can get a much better house for less money and thats still in a nice area. 

So I digress - leggings: The pattern used is McCalls 6173. They are all one piece - well two legs but no side seams. Very, very easy to make so long as you cut them on straight grain else the side seams will twist. I found out the hard way! 

But generally if you line the SG arrow on the pattern up to the edge of the fabric ( use a tape measure or ruler or even a stick with a line drawn on it) then they will be brilliant and being just two seams plus crutch seam they are fast to make up. Oh and waistband and hems of course but really with stretch fabrics you could even just miss off the hem and go for a raw edge and they will work. Very easy. In fact the pattern actually has a fold over waistband so is one piece with the rest but I find this is too short for me, so I add the extra waistband from the jeggings pattern which is included in McCalls 6173. I have never yet tried the jeggings pattern out. 

There is really not much else to say about these because they are just another pair of leggings from a basic pattern but so far since adding the waistband - they stayed half made for about 6 months! - I have worn every week at least once for about a month so these are a big success. 

In fact, the fact is I like my most basic clothing and therefore the basic patterns I use, over much more interesting designs ( and makes)  which does kind of make me ask myself why do I keep making other items? 

But then there is that fact that if you never experiment you never discover that latest much loved new pattern so I suppose its fine to re-use the best patterns a few times every year. At least I know those clothes will be worn.

Now though its time to start to think of summer clothes. I am thinking of lots of terry jersey I bought back in January and Tshirt cottons and such. Terry because its not as warm as full on sweatshirting but is warmer than Tshirt weight jersey and yes its spring here but to be perfectly honest its really cold here right now. Not at all the weather to cast off your woollens. My Granny used to say " Cast naer a clout till May is out" - or dont go putting your cold weather clothes away till May is fiished with here because we even sometimes get snow and often get frosts at the end of May. 

It does also make it very hard to grow tomatoes early in this country unless you have a greenhouse ( heated) or similar and have the space for them to grow. I am thinking though its time I sowed some now inside and they will be big and strong to be planted out at the end of May / early June.

And also I would like to make a few nice original items for our latest familly baby. I have been enjoying the odd small baby item I have made over the last few months. I am thinking maybe make stuff for when he gets to the 9-12 months bit to give me time to get it together to find patterns etc and get them made before he outgrows them.

So have a great weekend, take care

Bracken

Silver glittery leggings for New Years Day Familly Party

  

I made these leggings to wear for New Year. I never went to a New Year's Eve party this year so ended up wearing them for a familly do today which I suppose is really just as good. 

Except for when I was young so in my late teens and twenties I usually end up feeling NY Eve parties are a bit of a let down. I suppose its just the same old same old, every year. When you first go to them its amazing but its really a bit of a let down now. We could have had our own party but had already planned to have a familly get together today. 

They are worn with a me-made hair band in grey glitter sweatshirting ( the fabric used for my dress rather than my tracksuits ) and with my favourite grey glitter sweatshirt.

So yes, for New Years Day 2023 I am all glitttery and loving it. Its a very practical outfit as well though with the warm sweatshirt and the leggings fabric being a chunky and warm 4 way stretch ( well 2 way but you get what I mean!! and loads of fabric companies incorrectly label it 4-way). So I have not just glitter but I am comfy and warm so all sorted for 1st January.

Close up showing texture on this fabric

Though I did think, when I looked in the mirror today, that perhaps these leggings are a bit too much Abba. Still its a party, even if just for close friends and familly, and its the last time we can all get together before everyone heads off home again - till next year. 

The leggings are TNT pattern McCalls 6173 and I did the view with ruching on the ankles and unlike usually I did not take them in at the ankles since I want to be able to wear thick winter hand knit socks under these. It may not look so good but I want warmth more than tight fit fashion right now.

 

So I actually got round to making something over the Christmas break this year though admittedly something fast and easy so I did not need to leave my sewing kit everywhere for days at a time and we got the table back for eating in record time too.

Hoping 2023 is a wonderful year for you all, Thanks for popping by,

Happy New Year

Bracken

Velvet leggings

Hello,

I have been sewing again which is a good thing because I got so into knitting I had virtually stopped. I feel it does not really matter what I make so long as a sew regularly because you can really spot the difference in my sewing level if I do not make anything for a few weeks. My accuracy just goes right down and I make such stupid mistakes. I mean even hemming a tea towel manages to keep my skill level up. In fact thats a good example because we could do with some new ones before Christmas gets here. I should try and plan to make a few tea towels over the next few weeks.

These velvet leggings were just made from scraps left from my Faery hoody dress that I made last year. I love this fabric so much. Its floral but sort of smudgy and watercolourish. 

They are made with my TNT leggings pattern - McCall's 6173 - thats another one I have used so many times its now all reinforced with sellotape and I should probably get round to tracing that one onto thicker paper. Each leg is just one piece with no side seam so just about as easy to make as you can find. Though, like my floral flares, I did add a lightweight waisband. I find them more comfortable with a waistband. That pattern is meant to just fold over and have elastic. Maybe its my body shape though and I need that extra bit of length for comfort.

Usually I would have tried to offset the pattern a bit so its not quite the same on each leg but this was not an option due to them being made from left over fabric from a different project.

 

They felt cozy and warm with my big icelandic jumper. I like this jumper best of all I have made and must really make a second one in different colours. It was much much easier to knit than I expected! 

I am thinking to still keep its subtle colours but maybe more greens or yellows with grey for the next version? I have yet to decide on that one. Its currently just  avague idea.

I usualy tend to knit bright jumpers so this is a real departure from normality for me and a completely different style option but I do like this one. I think its the paw prints. They are just that little bit different to your usual snow flakes, diamonds etc etc you find on icelandic patterns.

So now I have a new pair of velvet leggings as well as my floral velvet flares that a made a few weeks ago. Sorted for Autumn ( Fall) then and for my winter loungewear. I still have a lot of lounge type wear I made last December and January so these will enhance the older stuff and give me some variety because the original loungwear was all plain velvet and sweatshirting. These two pairs of trousers do feel a bit more glamourous and Christmasey so I will be wearing them lots over the next few months I think.

Since the last few weeks have meant loads of rain in my area that means I should manage to at least stay warm and cozy over the next few months. You can see the leaves are falling properly now. Winter is well and truly coming!

Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting my blog,

Bracken

Camo leggings and updated green velvet T shirt dress

These are basics. 

The camo leggings are made from scuba bought from Ebay and I love the fabric so much I am intending to buy more on payday. They are warm, comfortable and fit great. Perfect for spring I think. Though I may redo the waist because I made it a bit big or at least I have lost a little weight since making but thats easy enough if I do not get fatter again.😁

 

These are made from McCalls 6173. I wanted a simple basic leggings pattern for these because the print is busy and I did not see the point of chopping it up. I think I chose right. It tempting to make more interesting leggings but I like the basic ones. 

 

Being just two pieces it would be hard to add a pocket since these have no side seams. But I also find where I have put a pocket on leggings I do not very often use it. I am a bum bag or rucksack girl so rarely use leggings pockets. Weird because I prefer trousers with them.

 

The green top was made several years ago and never fit properly. I originally thought it a dodgy pattern but experience now tells me its probably just the wrong size. I no longer have it because I could not see that I would want to remake it but maybe I will print it again and have another look.

 

 At the start of my sewing adventure I did not understand that an American size 8 is different to a UK size 8. So really when I made the green dress I probably made a size 12 hence it was too big for me. Its since been in and out of my wardrobe and my fabric stash with a view to being made into something else. Being a nice sage green velvet that I like I did not want to throw the fabric away. 

 

In the end I took in the sides and removed the old neck and just overlocked it and turned it under, then twin needled to make it into a T shirt. I did a new hem because by the time the sides were taken in it looked a bit rubbish if I left it, and I also had to take the shoulder seams in a bit. I actually never changed the armholes. In the end though this now fits and I love it. Though as a winter dress its a bit too short for me. A good top though.

 

I am though considering a second change for longer sleeves which would be easy to add but I need to find my green velvet and see if there is enough left over to do that. My stash is currently boxed up so we can decorate. The longer sleeves idea is really just the practicality of this being a  winter top and having short sleeves. If there is not enough green then I will leave good alone but if there is I am thinking to just add a sleeve onto the armhole. I have seen a few patterns like that and it obviously works for the likes of Burda.

 This was a very good day because I even made my underwear. I know you cannot see it but I do love it when I made everything though I do not yet see me exploring shoe making which would be the logical next step - like Handmade Caroline did.

It was really an accident that the same day I made the leggings I finally got round to fixing the top as well, but they go together perfectly and I find them really good for a sunny but cool spring day walking my dogs.

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