Hi all ~ It is still hot here--most of the time--but fall is officially here and I know the cooler temps will come sooner rather than later. I have summer coloring, so I'm best in pastels and soft shades mostly in pinks, blues, and lavenders--not your classic autumn shades! But I was determined to make an autumn outfit that suited me. To that end, I recently bought the Pomona Pants pattern by Anna Allen. It has tapered leg- and widish leg- pants, and shorts. For my first effort, I made the tapered leg pants.
There is just one pattern piece per view! Super easy. The hardest part was taping the pattern together.
Before I cut anything out, I amended the pattern. I added an inch in length right around the hip, and I added two inches in length to the legs.
Then I cut it out. I used a navy cotton/poly twill that I recently bought at Mill End Fabrics. I sewed these almost entirely on my serger. I used my sewing machine to loop the elastic and to sew down the waistband. The hems were done by hand.
So--incredibly easy and I like the finished pants, although next time, I'll probably remove a half inch from the leg length to give them a more modern look.
My adage: If you have new pants, you NEED a new top! Yup. And herein lies a story.
Several years ago, I purchased some Art Gallery cotton jersey in the Mille Fiori print from Fabric.com. I love the quality of the fabric and I love the print. Well, I couldn't decide whether to make a summer piece or a turtleneck; I couldn't do both. So it sat in my stash. Fast forward quite a few years. I was in Mill End Fabrics in Reno, Nevada, and I spied the same print but on a rayon challis. It had Art Gallery printed on the selvedge, so it was legit. I snapped up what they had--with no plans. But when I got home, I realized I could use the rayon for a summer top and the jersey for a turtleneck. I could cover all bases!
Then I had to decide what top to make. I settled on McCall's 7757--a pattern from 1995--which I've had since then. I've made this pattern four times: as a sleeveless dress for my daughter; as two tops with added puffy sleeves and a button placket; and as a top with the puffy sleeves but no button placket. This time, I wanted to add a V-neck to the bodice, a scarf/bow collar, and the same puffed sleeves. I re-vamped the facings to accomodate the V-neck--and, I also made a scrunchie from the offcuts!
It worked out perfectly! I have a new fall/spring top and pants, and I'm looking forward to wearing them. And the bonus: I have enough of the rayon left to do something else!
By the way, the scrunchie is 18" x 4" with 7.5" of elastic.
Soon, I think I'll cut out the turtleneck in the cotton jersey. I like the Itch-to-Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck which I've made dozens of times. We're approaching that time of year when I wear a turtleneck almost every day just to keep my neck warm. If my neck is warm, I'm usually comfortable.
In fact, I plan to cut out about six turtlenecks to take with me to a sewing retreat. Yay! This will be new for me. A group called Scream Allowance has been hosting sporadic sewing days at a local library which I haven't been able to attend. I just got notice of the next one, at the end of this month, and I RSVPd that I'd love to attend.
I think I'll bring my serger and a bunch of knit fabric projects--including the aforementioned turtlenecks. It should be fun!
I hope you are having fun creating all sorts of wonderful outfits!
Happy sewing ~ Peggy
