Sewing Scientist: January 2020

Bow Button Fabrics Brushed Dritex My Fit Leggings

I can always use more pants for work that are as comfortable as pajamas. I got some Navy brushed Dritex Athletic fabric from Bow Button Fabrics and knew it would fit the bill. I got 1.5 yards - I'm short at 5' and this is typically enough for a pair of pants for me. However, the first pattern I picked (If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen my post) was for pants with a wider leg and they would not fit no matter how hard I tried on only 1.5 yards. I am still working on using patterns that have been sitting in my stash. A few months back I bought the My Fit Leggings from Apostrophe Patterns and had been intimidated to use it. The pattern is made per your measurements and the options you choose. I decided a straight leg pair would be perfect for work pants.

I took my own measurements and probably got a few wrong by a small bit. These fit pretty good, but they are not a perfect fit. I think I have a little too much fabric at the top of my thighs right below the crotch. I'll probably try to trim a bit off in that area and sew them back together. I definitely need a sewing buddy to help me with measurements before I attempt the pattern again. The pattern requires so many measurements and some were hard to get on my own.

The Navy brushed dritex is amazing! It was nearly impossible to tell the right side from wrong at a glance. I assumed it was brushed on the wrong side - but I might be wrong. Either way - I but the brushed side to the inside as that is what I thought would feel best against my skin.

The Navy brushed dritex has a slight sheen on the smooth side. I thought it gave my pants a dressy appropriate for office look. This fabric is 300 gsm making it perfect for pants & leggings. However, I did feel like it emphasized the cellulite on my upper thighs and I put on some knee length shapewear on under these to help smooth things out.

The brushed dritex is an athletic fabric. I find myself making more and more of my wardrobe with athletic knits. I love that athletic knits tend to be wrinkle free. When I travel, I tend to pack only items made with athletic knits so that I don't have to worry about looking like a slob in wrinkled clothes.

Athletic knits are also moisture wicking. This is great when you live (or travel) to places that are hot or rainy. Sweat just disappears and if you find you self in a rain shower, you won't be soaking wet for long. Athletic fabrics also seem to hold up better to thigh rub and don't get all pilly from the friction.

I'll definitely wear this outfit to work. My top is the Sinclair Patterns Sienna Top. I love this top and wear it often. I really need to make another one.

Bow Button Fabrics carries this dritex fabric in a variety of colors. I might need another pair of work pants in the graphite and black colors are these are seriously so comfortable! See all the colors available HERE.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Ellie & Mac Discoverer Tee - Wacky Wednesday

It's Wacky Wednesday at Ellie & Mac! As I continue on my goal to sew up my fabric stash and pattern stash, the Discoverer Tee was on my list. I bought it shortly after it released and just never found the time to get to it. I'm so glad that I finally did. I ended up making this one, then made a few more using a few hacks that I posted on the Ellie & Mac Blog. You can find it HERE.

The Discoverer Tee is so flattering on! It's fitted in the shoulders and bust, then is a bit looser through the waist and hips.

The Discoverer Tee was the perfect pattern for me to use up some fabric scraps and remnants. The saffron color fabric is a cotton lycra from Made Whimsy. The print is a double brushed poly remnant that I picked up at Wherehouse Fabrics. It was barely tall enough for my pattern pieces. I normally don't buy florals, but I think I got this one for the colors.

The back also has the curved color blocking. I love how it looks.

Wacky Wednesday means that 6 patterns are on sale for only $1 each through Midnight on Wednesday, January 29th. Find all the Wacky Wednesday Sale Patterns HERE!

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

How to Hack the Discoverer Tee

Head over to the Ellie & Mac Blog to read my post on 3 different ways to hack the Discoverer Tee.

https://www.ellieandmac.com/blogs/blog/how-to-hack-the-discoverer-tee-4-hacks

5 out of 4 Camilla Cowl Neck Top and Dress

I love tops with a low draped neckline. I've had the 5 out of 4 Patterns Camilla on my "need to sew" list for way too long. As I state previously, I really want to focus on making those patterns that I've had sitting in my stash and using up the fabric that has also bee sitting in my stash.

I decided to use this rayon spandex tie dye knit that I bought last year. I made my mother and my mother in law tops with it for Christmas. I had enough left over to make myself three tops.

Rayon spandex has a lot of drape & stretch, but poor recovery. I'll have to wear a tank underneath this Camilla to stay decent. I would definitely flash someone if I bent over. In a more stable knit with better recovery, the cowl will not hang as low.

The Camilla has a top and a dress option. I cut my top at the top cut line, but at the dress width as I wanted a little bit more ease in the hips. I did not remove length for my height as I wanted it a little longer.

I do love how the Camilla looks with my Palazzo pants. I'll definitely be making another, but will not use rayon spandex for it. I'm thinking an ITY knit or a knit with 2-way stretch would be best for the Camilla.

I had cut my sleeves to be 3/4 length, but with this fabric, they go almost to my wrist. I will probably shorten them a few inches.

Here is the back. The back of the neckline is finished with a binding. It gives a clean finish. I was trying to show the ease of the top cut at the dress width. I love the bit of flare it gives the top.

The Camilla is great for any season. I'm thinking it would be perfect for winter in a sweater knit and the sleeveless version would be so cute in the summer.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.