It's all in the pattern.....and other updates....

I am excited to say my October "One" challenge is complete and this is truly the "One" workout pant pattern for me!  I am lovin my new Jalie Cora's!!!  Finally, a workout pant that didn't end up in the bin!

YEAH!!!!

For these pants, I used some red and black animal print, combined with some black spandex and some black power mesh for the calf portion.  I couldn't determine if the red and black print is supposed to resemble snake skin or alligator, but whatever it is, I took great care to make sure the front panels were matching when cutting them out.  

The pant back incorporates a pocket into the lower back area.  I lined the pocket using the same red/black animal print as the front.

Here's a close-up of the pocket.  I'm not a runner so I'm not really sure if I will actually ever use the pocket, but it does add a bit of interest.  For my next pair, I will probably just skip the pocket entirely.

I traced the size "V" and shortened the length by 2 inches.  Other than that, there were not other changes made.  I love the fit of the waist as it is nice and snug and doesn't droop at the back.

For my next pair, I will try using a 1" elastic instead of the 1/2" that I used in these. The 1/2" elastic works, but I'd like to see what difference the 1" elastic makes in the look and feel.   And for the pair after that, I'll try 1 1/2" elastic, and for the pair after that.....well, you can see I really like this pattern.  I can see ALOT of these pants in my future.  I have three pairs of existing pants that I really like the print, but I am just constantly tugging and pulling on them so I'll be upcycling them into some Cora's in the future.

For everyone keeping track, here are the latest yardage stats:
Total yardage for the Jalie Cora = 1 yard
YTD Total = 96.125.  I'm getting ever closer to that 100 yard line!!

Halloween Costume Update

How about an update on the Halloween Costume with the latest progress photos:

Here is the basic shape.  Remember - the theme is "TV".  Any guesses?

Next, we have the border added to the sides.  Any ideas now?

How about now?  It still needs it's "filling" but any guesses at this stage?

That's it for this week everyone!

Happy sewing!

Star

February MAGAM Challenge Finished - Half successful.....

February's MAGAM Challenge was a double whammy for me.  One of my goals for this year was to make my own workout wear and with the theme for the month being "Freaky Fearful February" it was time to give workout wear a try.  And I did give it a try....but it didn't end well.....I am very thankful I was using old scrap fabric for this trial pair rather than some good stuff.

Using Butterick 6295 as my pattern, the workout pants started out ok.

But when I tried them on the first time, I found a hole in the front thigh.  I don't know if I accidentally cut the hole or if it was in the fabric to start with.  Regardless - there it is...

And, the bottoms were so big from the hips to the waist, that I started taking them in on the serger with reckless abandon. Now the one piece yoke in the back had a seam up the middle and the seams didn't line up properly with my careless sewing.  And the front - well - let's just say without a gusset in the pattern it was starting to creep into places it wasn't meant to just during the try-on stage.  I'd hate to imagine where they'd end up during a workout!  At this point I still had the waistband to put on - which was now way too big.  And to top it off - the white fabric was completely see thru!  There was no way I was going to ever wear these so into the bin they went!!  I'll be purchasing myself a Jalie pattern with a gusset for my next trial pair....I hear the Jalie Cora leggings are good....

I had much more success with the top pattern though. Here's the top (with purchased pants).

The top has a built in, lined shelf bra that can hold lightly padded cups.  This was a first for me.  I used completely the wrong fabrics for the shelf bra, but since this was my practice top, I didn't really care.

The straps criss-cross on the back.  There is a little gaping between the straps in the back though when my arms are raised up.  And, you can see a line where the shelf bra joins the casing for the elastic.  No big deal, but it's visible.

No gapping between the straps when the arms are down.

I did wear this top during a Boot Camp class on Monday and it was very comfortable.  No riding up when doing mountain climbers and no fidgeting with straps moving or falling off.  I used a narrow zig zag for the seams and they didn't pop and a double needle for the hem and it didn't pop or stretch out either.  I will be making this top again, but next time, I will sew the elastic directly to the shelf bra and eliminate the casing all together.

Total yardage used for top and bottom = 4.75
Total yardage YTD = 16.625

Happy Sewing everyone!

Star