By me Jessie B.
Does anyone else squeal a little inside, when you’re thrifting, and you find an absolute legend of a buy.
Not only is it like, in great condition, it’s a reasonable price and unique.
You know the pieces I mean, the ones that instantly inspire you, requiring you too thrust all projects to the side, to launch oneself into the creative minefield.
Full disclosure- I struggle to finish my projects all the time. I either lose momentum, or another shiny project jumps the queue. I do let the trajectory of inspiration happen- to a point.
I give myself some wiggle room, I push through the sometimes-tedious parts of a project (honestly, even sewing can have tedium, if I said I loooove all parts, well I’d be telling a bit of a fib)
The “push all other projects out the way”, happened when I was crouched on the floor of an op shop in Boolaroo.
Child free one Saturday morning, (for a few hours anyway) in an area I don’t often frequent, a prime opportunity presented itself- ‘to sift and thrift’.
When I found this pickle green heavy linen tablecloth, (insert squeal) in a cube unit in the back room of a charity shop, well.
It activated the 'shove aside sew mode'.
I couldn’t sleep.
It weighed on my mind.
The pressure I felt to drop all things and make. I dreamt of what I can only term as ‘mullet’ pants. Business in the front, party in the back. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I mean elastic backed pants. The most comfortable and wonderful of all pant designs. You looked put together at the front, however looking at the back....
At the time, I was under the impression I didn’t have a pattern that met ‘this criteria’ *turns out I do have a pattern, the chandler pants by Untitled Thoughts. Honestly my brain, I need a visual to remember what I have. The whole adage “out of sight, out of mind”, tricky tricky brain; the Chandler pants pattern is in A0 form, stored in a totally different way to my other paper patterns. Slowly (very slowly) creating the enthusiasm to make photo cards of my A0 patterns to place in my pattern storage system for a visual reminder that it exists.
I googled and pinterested (is this even a word, for the action of searching Pinterest?) my vision for the mullet pants and up popped the Pietra Pants by Closet Core Patterns. Tapered leg, pockets, comfy relaxed waist band that flattered the front tum, not to high, or low waisted. I’d seen so many lovely pairs during my search, but alas as with a lot of things in life, no funds. Also, there is the fact that if I purchased it as a PDF, I would have to print and tape A4 or print out an A0, or wait for the pattern to be mailed to me. I can understand why many find road blocks put in front of them when travelling down the sewing high way.
Primarily it was the dollar bucks that swerved my brain to create a solution to the ‘mullet’ pants predicament, not to mention, the 'I need it now' – like RIGHT now.
In my pattern emporium are the Tula Pants by Papercut Patterns and a vintage Simplicity repro 1930’s panties from Spotlight. Both of these patterns are tried and true. The Tula pants with her narrow leg option and spot on crotch depth combined with what I call tap shorts, a lovely drapey vintage underwear pattern. They are flattering, comfy and a great deterrent of chub rub. IYKYK.
Long story short I mashed them together.
As you can see, I was super technical about this make... (insert raucous laughter here). I'm self-taught for the majority, barring some sewing in high school and a recent bra making day. I really did just throw luck into the wind and hope for the best.
The Pietra remains high on the ‘acquire’ list, but I have to say, this mish mash works for me. There is a bit of wiggle wiggle
to get them on, and I have threads escaping the French seams. (I cut the seams a little narrow, and to still get the fit, well, I may have rushed.
Do I love them, yep, they are one of most reached for pants.
They did however need a top. Due to the fact that often inspiration does not lead to the creation of a coordinated wardrobe, one of my goals is to be mindful of that inspirational pull and temper that with the practical creation of combinational pieces. In short to be a bit more mindful in the creative sewing process.
Turned out that during the school holidays, upon taking my nieces and kids to the salvo’s I snatched a retro-esque orange and green soft and very drapey….tablecloth.
(Honestly, I’m not made of Kmart toy money. So, when an opportunity arises to thrift with the kiddos, a couple of bucks goes a long way, (thank you Sallies), whilst allowing an educational moment about a sustainable and circular economy).
If you’re sensing a table clothing theme here, well then, your right. Tablecloths are amazing sources of fabric. Often large, covered in interesting motifs, easily sourced, reasonably priced. Not to mention they enable one to create a unique, fun and chat worthy piece of clothing.
These two tablecloths are a match made in pickle green heaven. The orange and green soft, drapey... ?linen?... was instantly going to be a Merchant and Mills Harper top.
I purchased this pattern, only to have it languish in my stash, awaiting the inevitable lightning strike of inspiration. Really, I’m just trying to justify my incessant hoarding of patterns and fabric.
I’ve made a few garments from Merchant and Mills, the interesting design features, the way the pattern showcases fabrics, not to mention how clear the instruction are and how spot on they do the drafting- keeps me coming back. I had my eye on the Harlene, and had admired quite a few, before purchasing this pattern.
Now I have been known to toile, but I’m trying to not do this so much. I found myself making so many ‘trials’, trying to get that “perfect” fit, then wearing the toile everyday anyway. When I did a search of reviews on this pattern, one thing was clear- the bicep range is on the narrow side. I consider myself a mid-size sewist, I do have quite broad shoulders and I definitely don’t have petite biceps, saying that the bicep circumference has not been much of an issue; can you see where I'm going with this.
An unpicker moment was in my imminent future.
The no toile approach, a limited amount of fabric and a must have it now attitude, ran me into a fit issue. The Biceps. This made me like hulk, like if I flexed, I was going to pop right out.
And I french seamed the whole darn thing. Golly gosh. Thankfully, while I hadn’t toiled, I had basted the arm scythe. I cut the French seam away and added a rectangle wedge to the sleeve seam and voila, much better. Not great, and on the next Harper I will do a full bicep adjustment. My measurements put me in the size 18 and colour me happy with the bust dart points, the neckline was the right height- I don’t like feeling like I’m being strangled. So, all in all, apart from the bicep, it fit.
I added elastic to the sleeve cuffs, and hand covered a thrifted shank button. Hand covering buttons is a bit labor intensive, (thankfully only one needed for the Harper) and I do totally recommend it for that customisable look. If you thrift buttons, don’t be afraid of the, mmm best way to put it is ‘ugly’ or non-aesthetic ones. They make an excellent priced option. (coz sewing be a thirsty b*tch).
My 'Merry People' Bobbi gumboots in Magenta and Navy from 'Hey Jude, Love Pete'.
A takeaway for me from this me made is Mix and match patterns can be fun, I seriously need to stop rushing, (that's not happening, let's be real here) and try those new patterns- don't keep them in your stash for so long Jessica!
Sewing is fun, creative and sometimes inexpensive.
I love it, I really do. Making and creating, it brings me a great amount of satisfaction and pride.
Wearing clothes, I've made myself, makes me feel special.
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