With my hair freshly done, today was the day to get in front of the camera. I'll start with a couple of wearable muslin ... the Belcarra top by Sewaholic and the Elle Pant by Style Arc.
Let's start with the Belcarra. As soon as this pattern hit the world I knew I had to order it - I knew that this is one of those patterns that would be a staple in my wardrobe.
My body shape doesn't fit the Sewaholic profile, so I selected a size 10 based on my bust size and graded to a size 8 at the hips.
Overall I think it's a damn fine fit. I just wonder whether I need to remove a small amount of fabric to take into account my hollow upper chest, or whether it's meant to be a really relaxed fit? I might ponder on that a little more.
I whipped this up using a 1m of cotton voile that I picked up from the remnant bin at The Fabric Warehouse for just $5.00. Because I only had one metre of fabric I had to use black bias binding for the neck binding. I made my own bias binding, that worked a treat.
I really like the length of the Belcarra, it just hits the body in the right place that can hide 100 sins.... like these pants. These are the Elle Pant from Style Arc. I ordered a size 12, based on my hip measurement. Given that they were such a basic pant pattern I figured what could go wrong - well that's a rather naive attitude it seems. Just look at this - not to hard now!!!
And this is with some adjustments after I sewed them together. I trimmed about 1/4" off the front and back pattern pieces, so 1/2" per side. I also trimmed about 1/4" off the inner thigh near the crutch, but I didn't alter the crutch at all as that seemed to fit comfortably. But I've still got all that excess fabric around the crutch???
I think I've figured out that I've got too much fabric in the back pieces and could essentially just shave the back pattern pieces along the side seam, probably through to just below the knee - I wouldn't want the calf area to be any tighter. I really do need to read more on pant fitting. I took a Craftsy class but it was way too loose for me to grab anything really tangible. If anyone can recommend a really good pant fitting book that would be amazing; while I've sewn a few jeans, a couple of leggings and now these the perfect fits is still alluding me. Whatever adjustments I have made aren't really addressing my problem.
For now though these Elle pants are wearable with long tops.
More photos on my Flickr -->
These both look great! I know nothing about pants fitting, but lladbird recently did a post on how she fits hers, with some good photos. I also have a book (happy to lend), that I really like. "The complete photo guide to the perfect fit". It's not entirely on pants but it has good pics. Anyway, the fit on both of these is pretty good and such awesome basics! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo. Funny thing is that I already have that book on Kinder, but because it's not a physical copy I forgot I had it, and I hadn't got up to reading the pant fitting bit - so guess what I'll be doing now :-)
Deletelove the blouse! the fit looks great from these photos, i think the relaxed look is intentional. the pants... oh so close! not really sure what you'd need to do to fix the excess fabric. maybe shorten the curve at the front crotch point? other than that they look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks :-) I think I need to find a really good pant fitting booking and make some sense of things.
DeleteTh easiest way to remove unwanted wrinkles is to pin away the excess and then remove the same amount in the same place on the paper. That's what I do anyway :)
ReplyDeleteYeah that's what I do with my dresses, but I'm afraid that if I do that with these pants it will reduce the crutch space and then I won't know how to fix the new problem :(
DeleteI think you should have gotten a size 10 in the Elle pants. I have made them many times but they seem to be roomy if you go by your hip measurement.
ReplyDeleteI know I should do more research before I buy patterns, but always forget and take a look at the size chart and buy accordingly. They would be great pants once I work out how to remove some of that excess fabric.
DeleteWith a little tweaking the pants will be great! I love the top. I so need more of these in my life!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I really like the Belcarra top, the slight fitting gives a really good shape.
DeleteI still have not jumped into making pants and I'm not looking forward to it!! I still like your outfit, even if you're not completely happy with your pants. They both look like awesome muslins, especially with your rockin hair!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tanya, I'm really determined now to conquer this pant fitting thing.
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