Have you heard of Bootstrap patterns?
They are similar to Lekala, very similar, they have many of the same patterns but with better instructions, evidently.
For Zara's next item on the #sewingrota I made her some custom fit Vado jeans.
I really enjoyed sewing these jeans. The instructions were excellent but I have made jeans before so I wasn't dependant on them.
I think the Ginger jeans would be more hand-helding.
That said, I love the very professional zip and front construction.
The written instructions come with step by step colour photographs but these were quite dark and hard to see.
Perhaps an intermediate sewing pattern, not that hard but it needed time and patience.
I sewed them up in some white denim using silver hardware.
I did fit these as I sewed but I made no modifications.
Seriously, the fit is almost spot on!
They may be just a tad firm across her hips but as we are coming into Netball season they won't be for long.
I love how well they fit her bottom.
We took the option of very curvy.
Dang, but they fit well!
How gorgeous is she?
The fit is amazing, I am totally blown away.
~Zara's Verdict~
These jeans are great.
The material is perfect, Mum found it for me.
The fit is great.
Thank you Mum for spending your time making them. They are very flattering, especially considering the odd 5 kilos I put on during the Christmas holidays.
: D
I am glad you like them Sweetheart.
xx N
Zara requested a basic white tee.
Go figure, it was one of the most expensive patterns on Lekala
Now, I don't know what happened but my pattern arrived looking a wee bit different.
See how the upper front is attached at the shoulders?
No instructions with this one at all.
I ended up sewing it like a Hopscotch tee by binding the neck first and I used this method, as usual.
The body was very fitted but the sleeves had a lot of fullness, way too much for Zara's taste, so I pinched quite a bit from the under arm of the sleeve.
It resulted in a very nice fitted tee.
I think we may pinch a little more out of the sleeve as she would prefer them more fitted.
The cotton/lycra I used is very stretchy and only a very stretchy fabric will do for this cut.
We got a great fit across her shoulders and waist but I will add a few cms to the back at the hips, it does ride up.
But, over all, a lovely fitting custom fit tee.
~Zara's Verdict~
The t-shirt is an incredible fit.
Once again I recommend Lekala patterns. Mum did an exceptional job making it, especially seeing I was wasn't very easy sewing for this time 'round.
I love the fabric, it is so soft!
Mmmm, apology accepted.
xx Nicole
Next up, custom fit jeans!
This post needs a better name.
So does this skirt pattern.
I used a stretch, pale blue denim I picked up in bulk, off eBay a few years back.
The same fabric I made jeans for Hugo from.
The metal buttons were also from eBay, from this seller.
I had to make the waist smaller so we moved one of the belt loops.
Next time I will fit the side seams before top stitching.
I had to pinch quite a bit out and as I had sewn the pockets on already, it was a little fiddly to do.
I had to move the waist button over a tad too and then sewed a press stud to keep the waist flat.
I topstitched but would under stitch the waist facing if it was any other fabric but denim. The topstitching works on denim.
I got muddled sewing the pocket and should have turned the top over an inch but only turned it 1 cm. I didn't realise until after I had sewn it in place.
Next time I would interface the turned piece.
It took me 4 hours to sew.
I could have got a better fit at her hips, I really need to remember to do a few more 'try on's' whilst sewing.
~Zara's Verdict~
I love it!
It is just what I wanted. I think it looks a little retro and a little modern.
The buttons are light and don't weigh down the skirt, thanks for that advice Mum (I steered her away from traditional jeans buttons as I was concerned they may be a bit heavy NMK)
and thank you for the skirt.
So, I made another hoodie.....
What could I say?
She asked me nicely.
Another Lekala this time #4385.
I sewed it up in some light weight unbrushed cotton fleece from my Melbourne shopping trip.
To sew the pockets I used a combination of this video tutorial and the O+S Blog post.
This Lekala instructions are not overly hand-holdy.
I interfaced the edges that would be sewn to the zipper.
Not in the instructions but it helps prevent the fabric stretching when you sew the zipper in.
I shortened the zipper using this method. To stop the zipper head coming off I tried melting a few teeth (not successfully) but then satin stitched the top with embroidery thread and a big eyed needle.
I used my labelling tape on the neck band, next time I would give the inside hem band the same finish.
The hood was meant to be a single layer with a turned twice hem but I made a lined hood and trimmed the excess of the front.
I think I could have safety sewn it, as it was and gently stretched the two edges to meet.
It took me five hours sewing time but a fair bit of that was getting the pockets just right!
Zara actually wanted me to leave the cuffs off but I talked her into it.
I think it needed them, to balance with the waist band.
~Zara's Verdict~
This jumper is amazing. I literally haven`t taken it off since Mum finished it. The fit is superb, I absolutely love it!
The hood is really big and wonderful. I love the soft grey and will wear it to many netball trainings and games.
Lekala patterns are amazing. I recommend them to any body who wants a perfectly fitted garment without having to spend hours of time fitting and making a muslin.
I think I may be making a few more of these.
My girls seem to love their active wear.
And I love sewing things they like.
And I love them.
Thank you for reading, as always.
xx Nicole
My sewing Bestie's will be sniggering at this.
I really dislike the term 'Hoodie' and used to call them 'hooded tops'
but I have had to get over myself.
And sew one.
My apologies for a photo heavy post but I have had a lot of interest expressed in this project.
This pattern is all over Pinterest.
The company Lekala, I found after reading the lovely Lara's blog.
It is a very clever concept.
One puts in their (or their daughters) measurements and the pattern is made to measure.
This is awesome for my girls as they have tiny weeny tops and waists and curvy derrières.
I sewed it up in a grey marl knit that was labelled 'sports knit'.
It had a funny finish on the inside, sort of ripply, and Elsa said it is very nice to wear.
I picked it up at Eliza's of Sunshine.
For a contemporary look I used the same fabric for the wrist and hip band.
Top stitched all my seams.
And I also used some of my labelling tape to cover the hood/neck edge in case it was visible.
I really really like this on Elsa.
The hood is super oversized but it works!
If I made it for me, I would shorten the sleeves a wee bit, maybe a inch?
But she likes it long.
The hood can be zipped all the way up and folded over.
Or not.
Or zipped just to the neck.
The hood is big enough to fit a pony tail bonus!
~Elsa's Verdict~
This jumper is amazing, it is sewn beautifully and is soft and warm. The hoodie is nice and big and fits over a high ponytail. "It is like a sleeping pill in the form of a jumper and it is all mine!"
I guess that means she likes it?
Thanks for reading
xx Nicole
