Lekala #4021 One-Piecer for Lidia

Part two of our Ballerina inspired outfit...

We have made the waistcoat

Lekala #4339

Now to show you the shorts.

Lidia is not a huge fan of jeans or shorts as they fall down on her slight frame.

We both like this one-piecer from Lekala.

I sewed them up in the leftover pieces from Jed's latest Jedediah jeans (to be blogged) #ninjacutting.

I used heavy jeans thread in copper for the the top stitching and bronze hardware for the trims.

The lederhosen type straps can be completely removed so she can wear the high waisted shorts on their own.

They fit so well.

I had my concerns the legs were going to be indecently short but they are fine!

The only sizing adjustment I did was to move the buttons in to create more of a waist for her.

The denim/wool is very soft and warm, it has a tiny amount of stretch, for comfort.

Paired with her woollen School Bus tee (to be blogged), it will be a very warm outfit that should transition to Spring nicely.

If she doesn't grow out of it by then.

I think we did well, we captured the look without it looking too costume-y.

(The boots were NWOT on eBay, I swear I have a little eBay fairy that helps me find things)

~Lidia's Verdict~
This outfit is one of my favourite Winter wardrobe combinations yet, it would be almost impossible for me to choose my favourite garment, I love the vest and the low yoke it has. I think that the removable straps on the high waisted overalls are really cute and nifty. I cannot wait to wear them out!

Thank you for reading xx N

Lekala #4339 Waistcoat for Lidia

A few months back, Liddy was watching Netflix with the little girls.

I think she enjoyed Ballerina as much as they did.
(I often delegate supervising movies to the older girls, they know my views on what I deem suitable and act accordingly)

Lidia loved the outfit Felicie is wearing.
A waistcoat over a tee, denim shorts over legging and lace up boots.
She asked if we could recreate it.

Although there were other waistcoats that were a better match, Liddy preferred this one with the lovely collar.

The fabric is the Herringbone wool I purchased off of eBay a few years back.
I picked up a roll, for under $20 including postage.
The same cloth I used for...

these dungarees

this sports coat

another pair of dungarees

this coat

And another pair of dungarees.

I used a copper coloured stretch satin for the lining, I prefer apparel satin for lining as it wears better and give more structure to the garment.

Rather than trim my lining and sew my facing to the edges I turned the facings and top stitched them in place.

Lekala don't give you separate lining pieces but rather, instruct you how to trim your main pattern back.

I also chose to under-stitch my seams to prevent rolling.

I went in through the side seam opening (left to facilitate bagging) and under stitched the arm holes, by hand, with a running stitch.

There were no ties on the diagram but they appeared when I printed the pattern and were mentioned in the instructions, the magic of Lekala.

The fit was spot on!

To give a bit more structure, I interfaced every piece, lining and main, with sheer weft interfacing (except for one side of the collar).

The buttons are leather knotted ones, the pocket is a faux welt.

I am glad I used the ties, it allows her to cinch it in.

~My Verdict~

I really like Lekala for fitting free sewing. Liddy is very slim but has broad shoulders and is taller than Jed. Sewing for her with basic patterns requires a muslin and a lot of tweaking.

This was not an easy sew, it was time consuming with all the prepping of interfacing and stay stitching.

I did bag the lining, except for the arm holes. These I did by going back in through the side seam opening and slowly pinning and sewing the seam in small increments. It was incredibly fiddly but left only a tiny gap to be hand sewn.

That said, I really enjoyed it. I do love sewing coats and the like. The fact that they last a long time and hand on well, is a bonus.

Next, the shorts!

Thank you for reading xxx N