République du Chiffon Danielle Dungarees for Nicole partie un

I have swopped out jeans for dungarees in my capsule wardrobe and I couldn't be happier.

These are my favourite 

 

For my first pair, I made the size 42 in a black, very stretchy drill.

As I have more tummy than bottom I felt like there was a lot of fabric in the back. Zara was happy to take them off my hands if they didn't suit.

Black is horrible to photograph.

They were fine but I felt a few tweaks could make them a better fit.

So, with a few pattern modifications, I tried again,

Fabulous!

Compare the pair.

I sewed the second pair in some vintage Bull denim from deep stash, rigid, no stretch at all.

I lowered the waist by removing a few cm's height from the bottom leg top.

I kept all the width in the front but I did take in the back panel bottoms to narrow the fit. This way I kept tummy ease but removed the extra fabric at the back.

I also added length to the leg so I could fold a cuff.

The snugger fit at the back is more what I was after.

I really like the back panel, it is so warm and comfortable and the straps do not fall off my shoulders.

It also nicely covers some of the 'back bulge' from my bra.

I need the extra tummy room as my waist fluctuates and I find firm things uncomfortable.

No muffin tops in dungarees.

I went all out with the jeans styling with this pair, lots of topstitching with heavy, copper coloured jeans thread.

I purchased my buckles from eBay They take a few weeks to arrive but they are adequate quality.

The front pocket is perfect to pop my reading glasses in.

I am so happy with this sew, the few modifications were easy and made such a difference.

Zara took my original pair and styles them with a fitted top.

She is super cute!

~My Verdict~

A big sew.

The initial tracing of the pattern is a large task, there are a lot of pieces. That said, it sews up very easily but do follow the instructions faithfully. The pocket/button facing is a little counter intuitive and I did have to unpick that after I assumed (after sewing many pairs of jeans) that I knew what I was doing.

Pressing well is important too.

I would suggest making a wearable muslin pair first, possibly in a stretch woven, to check your fit.

I also suggest lining the waist sections in self fabric, not a cotton contrast, as they will wear better. My original pair is starting to wear through, even with the interfacing I applied.

They may be stiffer in the beginning but that will settle down.

I would add extra length to the leg too. I am not tall, 163cm (5' 2) and I had to add length. 

You can always shorten them.

I thoroughly recommend this pattern.

Thank you for reading.... xx Nicole 

 

Style Arc Lauren Boyfriend shirt and Lekala #4635 skirt for Nicole

 

I really, really, really like the Style Arc Lauren Boyfriend shirt

From the website 

DESCRIPTION

This boyfriend style shirt is a wearable example of the new trend in shirts. Sleeve interest is such an important part of the current trends and this shirt has a longer than usual cuff with the buttoning at the front. Roll the sleeves up to give an easy, casual look, great over jeans or a pair of slouchy pants. The men's style shirt tails makes this a perfect over shirt.

I have made two before, the navy/white gingham version lives at our beach cottage as part of my holiday capsule wardrobe. The blue floral lawn I gave to my sister as it was a bit big (in retrospect, I should have kept it)

We all keep a selection of clothes at the cottage so we don't need to pack. Not a lot, three outfits that layer well. Some Trixie's things were worn by Hugo!

When I cut those, I cut another from navy/white dotty linen/cotton remnant that I purchased from Spotlight. I had not needed it so didn't sew it.

Over our Summer stay I realised I needed bigger clothes there. I had gained weight. So I sewed up two new outfits, one being blogged here.

I love the deep, back double yoke with hanging loop.

And that fabulous cuff.

Which you can flip, leave down or it rolls nicely too.

As the shirt is an oversized, Boyfriend fit, I can wear it but I would definitely size up when I sew it again. Similar with the matching skirt.

.

This skirt, Lekala #4635 is such a nice skirt.

I sewed it in 2019 and wore it and wore it. When I made it I ended up taking in a quite a bit from the side seams so I was hopeful, even with a good 10kg weight gain I could still use the pattern.

The fabric is a stretchy pale pink denim that I purchased from the Lincraft sales. It is so pretty. I topstitched with heavy, copper coloured jeans thread.

Look, it fits, It is quite comfortable but much the same as the shirt, when I sew it again I will size up.

I do like it though and as my weight fluctuates, I will just leave it in the wardrobe at Bosuns.

Also, I tend to wear trackies and tees most of the time, at the beach. The smart clothes are just if we go into Town and I change when we get back.

The second outfit, dungarees and a puff sleeve tee were a lot more successful and I hope to share those soon.

Thank you for reading... xx Nicole 

Vado Boyfriend Jeans for Me

I have been pinning a lot of white, boyfriend jeans outfits lately.

And I have this jeans pattern

I have a pair of white skinny jeans that I wear a frequently but white is not a great colour on me.
I thought about the other colour in my capsule, pink!

So I made pink ones!
I had just a little bit of heavy pink denim/canvas in my stash.

I had made Elsa a pair of Banyan pants quite a few years back, from it.

I sewed my awesome last pair in a denim/wool with a touch of spandex, this fabric has no stretch so I added a 1.5cm to the centre front of the jeans front (that is where I can get uncomfortable) and blended it back.
I also added a few cm's to the end of the waistband.

The zip construction is really different but you get a perfect result which is also easy to repair the zipper, if it breaks.

I only had enough fabric to cut one waistband (the waistband is very curved which helps with the great fit)so I cut the inside with the same fabric as the pocket bags. It was a thin shirting so I used a double layer of interfacing.

I couldn't decide what colour thread to use, none of my pinks looked right so I went with a coffee coloured one.

I think it will wash in nicely and work, even as the fabric fades.

I added quite a bit to the hem so I could roll them up.

I love the long legs with the fullness through the thigh but the nice fit at the bottom.

I love these jeans.
The best thing is, they have ease if I gain weight and will look good a bit baggy if I lose it.

I think the pink is really pretty and lifts my predominately black wardrobe.

~My Verdict~
I love this pattern so much. It is not cheap (around $17 AUD) and I suggest you carefully take your measurements as if you need to print another pattern, it is another $17. However, I find it is pretty easy to alter and fit.
All denim behaves differently so I always baste the side seams and do a few squats to check the firmness before sewing the side seams.

As predicted, the colour is not as practical as my denim/wool pair. I 'wear and air' these but the pink ones seem to get grubby a lot easier.

But I still love them.

Thank you for reading... xx N

Lekala #4635 Denim Skirt for Me!

It is the best feeling.
When you sew something so successful and practical that you wear it
All
The 
Time.

Style Arc Boyfriend shirt, RM Williams jacket, boots and belt, 

I made a denim skirt with the leftover fabric from my Vado jeans

The custom fit Lekala #4635

I needed a new denim skirt, my 20 year old version is being retired to the beach cottage (it was a pull on, elastic waist one which has done good service but seen better days)

The panelled styling caught my eye, I like the topstitching opportunity and the fact that it would use odd pieces of fabric.

I did do a two inch hem but mine was definitely shorter than their line drawing.
Which I wanted.

I did take in the side seams just a bit and I think I could have taken a bit more. That said, this fabric has some stretch and the pattern called for rigid.
The skirt sits on my hips and they are not wide in comparison to my waist and with a fairly flat bottom, if I don't wear a belt, it slips down.

However, it gives me great tummy ease and is super comfortable, especially travelling.

The kick pleat is perfect, I can run in this sucker.

It is actually very cool to wear, even on hot days. I had planned to make denim shorts, and I still do but I think the wearability of this has delayed that project.

I am still thoroughly embracing my capsule wardrobe and have reached the stage of fine tuning it.
I removed a few pieces that don't fit nicely and I am replacing them with ones that do.
My sister is happily taking these clothes.

 As a side project, I am creating a 'Beach Capsule'. 
I find I prefer black basics instead of my past navy pieces. So the navy is being transitioned to my beach cottage wardrobe.

I like the thoughtfulness that capsule wardrobe-ing inspires in me.
I sew only what I need and it stops me purchasing that pretty fabric, just because.

~My Verdict~
Super pleased with this one.
I wear it so often, for home and for 'out'.
It is a little on the big side but I am hoping a hot wash may sort it.
It was a good, quick sew and very easy to fit.
I did 'peg' the hem a wee bit more but the pattern is inclined towards that style, anyway.
I feel very sporty and trim in this, which is jolly nice as I am a little overweight (post weaning boom). If I shed the 8 kg I hope to lose I think I will make another, exactly the same BUT I think I will hang on to this as it will be handy if I gain weight again.
As this skirt doesn't have side pockets (my only grumble) I don't think I will even need a new pattern, I will just take it in at the side seams.


Thank you for reading... xx N