Another pants saga begins

I purchased some khaki colored material that will be great to make some pants with.  I bought it at the local thrift store. Only $4 for three yards of material  and 25 cents for the zipper , I won't be too upset if they don't turn out.  I decided to use Simplicity pattern 4760 since it has some decent reviews on pattern review.

When I made the Vogue 8801 jeans, there was not a review on them.  So, I wasn't sure if my problems with them were exactly that, my problems.  But now that there is a review of them on pattern review, I feel better because that reviewer had the same difficulties I did.

These will be a cargo style, so should be fun to make and wear.

Thanks for stopping.

McCall's 4079 Impressions

I finished my white McCall's 4079 shirt.
I really like this pattern and instructions.  I am sure I will make it again, probably with a short sleeve next time.  I have such a long, narrow build, that I made the shirt in a small with the addition of two inches to the sleeves, and three inches to the overall length of the shirt. I also added a pocket.

 I like the look and feel of this shirt.  The collar is a good size.  The whole shirt looks elegant.

 Made for casual wearing, and tucked-in for a more formal look.
 One thing I like about making my shirts, I can decide where the top button goes.  I like my top button a little higher than most.

This is the first project I used my overedge machine.  It gave the finish a professional look in a matter of minutes.

I enjoyed this project.  Now time to decide on my next.

McCall's 4079 home stretch

My McCall's 4079 is almost completed.  The last few days have been over 100 degrees here in Sunny California, so I stayed inside to keep cool and worked on my shirt.
I need to finish the hem.   Then I am going to use my over-edging machine to neatly finish the seams.
Once that is done, a good wash to get the blue marking pen off, and I will have a new shirt to wear.

My Greist buttonholer worked great for the nine buttons.  I like the button holes it makes so much more than the built in one on my Brother.

I might not get to wear it for a few months until it cools off a little.  Speaking of that, time for a Miller beer to cool off now.

McCall's 4079 shirt update

I have been moving along slowly on my McCall's 4079 shirt.  It is not the shirt or the pattern, it is me being slow.  Among other setbacks, I ran out of thread and didn't go to the store for a week.

I have the left sleeve basted onto the shirt, checking it for fit.  I added two inches to the sleeve so it would be the correct length.  I also added three inches to the length of the shirt.  I have white buttons for this shirt, hope it is not too much white.
The collar looks great, but I attached it and reattached it more time than I care to admit or remember.

 The shirt has pleats in the back.  First shirt I made with pleats.

 I am happy some of my Zinnias are beginning to bloom.

 Thanks for stopping to see the update.
I am sure I will have it finished before long.

McCall's 4079 Shirt

I started on the McCall's 4079 shirt. This pattern has good reviews on Pattern Review. I decided to do the long-sleeve version with collar(view D) and add a pocket.   I am using some very soft white cotton-weave material I purchased at the thrift store.  It has a subtle pattern of some lines and little poofs here and there.

I usually trace my patterns onto tissue paper I buy at the Dollar store.  It is very economical.

Material

Cutting out

Pattern

Now it is all cut out and marked.  I'll start to assemble it next.

I purchased an older over-edge machine on eBay.  It was a terrific deal, including the owner's manual and the original box.  It is a Brother 523 three-thread. Once I get the tension adjusted and figure out how to use it, I'll use it on my next project.

Brother 523

See you next time.

Boxer Shorts for Joe

When I started on the boxer project, I was originally going to make the first pair for Joe.  But then I decided better to make me a pair first to get all the kinks out, then make a pair for him.

Joe's Boxers went a lot faster.  I easily drew a pattern in a medium size for him. If you remember, I followed some directions off the internet to draw the pattern myself.

I used the same fabric I used for my boxers, however I used red thread so the decorative stitch of my Vintage Kenmore would show.

Decorative stitch

Modeled with McCall's 6231 top

Another view

I have now decided to return to shirt sewing.  I found some nice white cotton/linen material at the thrift-store I am going to use to make myself a McCall's 4079 shirt.  This looks like it will be a nice casual style that will go well with the fabric I have.  I had the pattern in my stash, and now with the proper material, I am going to give it a go.
I think I will use my Brother XL2600I to make this shirt.  I used it yesterday to hem some pants for a friend. I will say, once a person figures out how to fold the fabric for the blind-hem stitch, this machine sews it beautifully with the included blind-hem foot.

Also, I have been planting some zinnias, marigolds, tomatoes, pumpkins, and other vegetables in the garden I grew from seed.   So in between watering the garden, I will be working on the shirt.

See you next time.

Boxer Shorts by Vintage Kenmore

I wanted to make a pair of boxers since I first started to sew, but I could not find a pattern I liked, and the idea of printing out one off the internet and taping all the pages together didn't appeal to me.  But finally, I came across some instructions on the internet on how to draw your own pattern with your own measurements.  I scratched my head a few times, but finally drew a pattern.  Here is where I found the directions : wkdesigner.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/boxer-shorts

After drawing and cutting my own pattern, I decided to use my Kenmore in order to try it and its decorative stitches out.  I used a soft blue cotton material and white thread.

Kenmore ready to go

Instructions and cut-out material

Max approves

Another view

Close-up of decorative stitch

Front view

Since this set of shorts turned out great, I am now going to make a pair for Joe with the same fabric, since I have enough left over.

Now time to take some measurements and start drawing another pattern.