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| I'm going to add more width to the calf on the next pair to alleviate the wrinkles at the knees |
Recently, Mehetabel and I were perusing the offerings at Old Navy. She snapped up this navy and white gingham top--I don't remember how much she paid, but it was on sale, and the cost was pretty low. She knew she had a block party to go to on the 4th and thought she could pair this top with a red camisole--and I offered to make her some white Jalie Éléonores to complete the outfit.
This is the fourth pair of Éléonores I've made. The first pair was in violet cotton/lycra stretch twill (Violet, you're turning violet, Violet), and it is the same fabric as the white ones. The fabric was purchased online from Vogue Fabrics; unfortunately, these fabrics no longer seem to be in stock. I've also made Éléonores in hot pink stretch denim and black stretch gabardine--perhaps I'll blog about those at some point.
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| The photos of the white pants were taken late afternoon. The light wasn't great! |
This fabric does have the required 20% stretch, but its recovery is just so-so, and it wrinkles quickly. It also unraveled quite a bit during construction which prompted me to finish all seams with the serger (in fuchsia for the violet pants, because, why not, and in white for the white pants), even those I topstitched with the coverstitch. This created overkill in a couple of instances (inside leg seam, back yoke) but it should stop the shredding and shedding.
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| The photos of the violet pants were taken on a cold day in March. Again, the light wasn't great. |
The coverstitch made the topstitching process quick and easy for the most part.
I used size V and added two inches to the leg length which left room for a scant 5/8 inch hem. Sewing was a breeze, and all the pieces fit together perfectly.
In addition to the added leg length, I shortened both pieces of waistband elastic by 1-1/2 inches each, and I'm glad I did! Like me, Mehetabel has at least ten inches difference between her waist and hip measurements.
The only other change I made was to eliminate the front faux pockets. I figured Mehetabel's top would cover them anyway; if she wants them on future pairs, I'll be happy to add them.
The directions were clear, and Jalie even has a video showing the construction from start to finish.
I used size V and added two inches to the leg length which left room for a scant 5/8 inch hem. Sewing was a breeze, and all the pieces fit together perfectly.
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| This is a better representation of the (violet) color and fabric |
The only other change I made was to eliminate the front faux pockets. I figured Mehetabel's top would cover them anyway; if she wants them on future pairs, I'll be happy to add them.
The directions were clear, and Jalie even has a video showing the construction from start to finish.
Mehetabel likes both pieces, which is great, because I have several pieces of stretch denim that should work well with this pattern.
Happy Independence Day to those of you from the U.S. Happy 4th of July to everyone else :).
