by Dave | Apr 12, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation, Lucy's Sewing Lab
UPDATE: This jeans blog was previously published on WordPress.com. Since the time of this blog I have completed a pair I’m pretty satisfied with. I need to get back in there and perfect it though. The fit is perfect, I have since purchased jean topstitching thread and Levi’s buttons. I have produced the perfect fit for me in a distressed jean short/cut off. I love them. There is nothing in the world better than a perfect fitting pair of jeans. Please continue reading and I’ll write a new post on this topic soon.
Jeans, who ever thinks about them? As Americans we purchase them, wear them, break them in, break them down, wear them out, and then discard or recycle them. This search began with my penny pinching ways. I refuse to pay three times the cost it takes to make a pair of pants!
So, we know the rest of the story. For weeks I have been studying the construction, fit, and trademark qualities of jeans. I started with a legging pattern I liked. From that point I’ve added appropriate top stitching, yoke, and back pockets. My Goal is to draft a pattern specific to my needs. This will become the LUCY LOU….as time and trends pass, the pattern will get updates. The basic fit will remain the same.
At this point, I’m very close to the finished product. Isn’t it ironic, my jeans won’t be complete until the appropriate distressing and personal touches occur? What began as a simple leggings pattern has transformed into fake or faux jeans. It has been a fun and enlightening process. I would be lying if I said it was quick.
I have learned several things:
- the pattern doesn’t make it jeans, the topstitching does
- a golden tan thread looks best with dark denim
- yokes….jeans must have a yoke. I’m not sure the purpose other than to allow room for your butt
- making back pockets is quite easy
- front pockets require a different type of lightweight cotton to line them. (mine don’t have any front pockets right now …. that could change)
- my pattern is out of stock although there are loads of other leggings patterns out there that I am sure could be altered into the perfect jeans for anyone
Well, it’s time to get back to the studio. Until next time….ENJOY!
by Dave | Apr 8, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation, Lucy's Sewing Lab
Determining the fabric for clothing can be confusing. Finding a pattern isn’t that hard to do, right? Walk into the store, browse the book, pick a pattern. The process of fabric shopping is entirely another process which can take quite awhile. Hopefully, this blog post will help in determining the type of fabric to choose.
Probably the easiest thing to do is to look at the back of the pattern. It will have a list of recommended fabric for the garment. So, what if you do not like to sew or wear the fabric the manufacturer recommends? Through the process of trial and error, I have found the following list to be pretty helpful. Some of the suggestions came from Threads Magazine, while the others are personal preference through trial and error.
Pants: Depending on the style the following list works
- Linen
- Stretch poplin
- Denim
- Cotton Lycra (4 way stretch)
- Fleece
- Jersey
Shirts, blouses, and tee shirts
- Jersey Knit
- Interlock Knit
- Sweatshirt fleece
- Cotton Voile
- Rayon Challis
- Double gauze
- Silk
- Chambray
- Cotton lawn
- Linen
- Flannel
- Sweater Knit
Skirts
- Knits, all varieties depending on the pattern and the desired drape
- Cotton Lawn
- Stretch cottons
- Rayon Challis
- Denim
- Linen
Dresses
- Knit
- Cotton Lawn
- Ponte Knit
- Rayon Challis
- Double Gauze
- Silk
- Satin
- Lace (with a lining of course)
- Wool
Loungewear
- Rayon Knit
- Interlock Knit
- Jersey Knit
- Fleece
- Stretch French Terry
- Silk
- Satin
- Flannel
by Lucy | Apr 7, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation
I remember when I wanted to start sewing again and purchased my first computerized machine. Oh, and while I’m here I better pick up a few things. Thrifty sewing was not a part of my vocabulary, yet. This nifty sewing kit (ended up being a huge waste of money), some needles (thank goodness they fit), oh and I need this pincushion (it didn’t matter that the little cheesy sewing kit already had a pincushion.) I was so excited! I couldn’t wait to make something.
Things took a slightly different turn once I got home and realized I didn’t have fabric. I ran into my room and snatched up the first castoff clothing I could find. I had to sew! I practiced making straight lines. Okay, this was fun for a few minutes. I wanted to MAKE something real! So, off I went to the local fabric store. I wish I knew then the things I’m going to tell you now.
1.Be THRIFTY! Shop the remnant pile. But, know your prices, just because it’s in the pile doesn’t mean it isn’t somewhere else in the store for a lower price. A sale doesn’t mean the fabric is fairly priced.
- Set a price limit in your head and don’t pay over that amount for fabric unless you just cannot go home without it.
- Buy fabrics at Walmart at the lowest price possible. Usually around $2 a yard
- Use Walmart fabric to practice. Then move on to the fabric you are dying to use.
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Do not skimp on quality thread. You will regret it.
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Never, ever, pay full price for a pattern. Most patterns go on sale for around one to two dollars. Just wait and plan your shopping trips.
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Shop your closet. YouTube has wonderful videos on refashioning.
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Save coupons and stack as many as possible each shopping trip. Ask if they take competitors coupons.
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Do not buy the magazines. You can read them online. If you search hard enough you can usually find the patterns or some close to the ones in the magazine for free online.
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When notions go on sale, stock up! Buy more than you think you will ever use.
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The expensive scissors, rotary blade, cutting boards are worth the extra money. But, do not pay full price! These things go on sale too.
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Free patterns! You can find them online. Also, they are hanging in your closet. Your best fitting tee shirt is the perfect base for any other shirt you want to make.
Most of all….ENJOY!
![Jeans….Again…Jeans Obsession]()
by Lucy | Mar 22, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation
Really this jeans thing is crazy! I don’t even really like jeans, but now I have a jeans obsession. I love the jeans I make myself. But, there was this article I wanted to share with you. I never realized denim had trends. Did you? Well, they do. Evidently, there are some trends that never go out of style.
WHO, WHAT, WEAR has the best articles and photos, so I’m sharing this one.
Trends that never go out of Style
- Cropped
- Minimalist back pockets
- Slouchy fit
- Mid/High rise
- Subtle distressing
- Dark wash
So, this means, we can buy less fabric and make them cropped. Skip fancy back pocket decorations, fuss less about the closeness of the fit, and get rid of the muffin top! Best of all, the dark wash hides flaws. I’m planning my next pair already!
I think the next pair of jeans I make will be boyfriend jeans. They will have subtle distressing, which is pretty difficult to do to something you just finished working so hard to create. The high rise is my personal favorite at this point. They seem to be universally flattering jeans to wear. I love that this style has returned. It’s classy, and no unmentionables are revealed to unsuspecting strangers. An added plus is that the style perfectly covers and conceals the muffin top. Who could ask for anything more?
Enjoy!!
![Jeans….Again…Jeans Obsession]()
by Lucy | Mar 21, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation, Inspiration
I sew therefore I refuse to pay for ready to wear! So, I’ve been working on a few Anthropologie and Victoria’s Secret hacks. Anthro has some of the best fashion out there. They must, everyone is trying to hack it. Well, I jumped on the bandwagon too, why? The styles are really pretty straightforward and pretty easy to duplicate. Thank you again Anthropologie. 🙂 
This is a perfect example! Let me break it down for you, it’s a yard of fabric, folded in half, with side seams and a v neck. There are several tutorials out there. It’s made out of rayon spandex jersey. Which can be found here for about $6 or $7 a yard.
Anthro seems to have a love affair with peplum tops. Just do a pinterest search. I found this one 
I love it! It’s too early here for tank tops so I’m working on a short sleeve version out of knit. I’ll hopeful finish it today and post the finished product and some hints on how to do it. For a little teaser….hint number one is find a bodice pattern you love and make it fit you perfectly! From there the options are endless!
One of the new trends for 2016 is a high cut bra. The lace shows through the top of your tank. Check it out. They are calling it the new eyelash lace collection. The bonus here is you can make your own tank to display this sexy bra. I found some free patterns at Sew City. They seem to be the Victoria’s Secret of the sewing world. I imagine these can be created for under $10. ENJOY!
by Lucy | Mar 15, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation, Lucy's Sewing Lab
I did it! I attacked the denim with scissors. I’ll lead you through the progression of sewing boyfriend jeans. I took a jegging pattern I have used before and used that as a base. I added an inch all the way around, in hopes of creating the ultimate pattern for Boyfriend jeans. I couldn’t wait to sew these pieces of denim together. It was wonderful, watching my creation come to life. I tried them on, they fit well. But…..as I was getting ready to sew the two legs together, I realized they didn’t fit together the way they should. You know, the way they should fit together to make jeans. I had sewn the inseam to the outer seam. UGH! This was not going to work. I didn’t have jeans, I had a huge mess, sewn together with care.
My seam ripper and I have become close today. I took those wonderful jeans, and ripped them apart. So, here I sit, ready for round two with that fabric. Hopefully this time….I’ll have a result that resembles boyfriend jeans?
If you are not as adventurous as I am there are plenty of blogs out about upcycling to create boyfriend jeans. I have yet to finish these jeans, with fall right around the corner, I may just be jumping on the upcycle bandwagon for boyfriend jeans.
Until next time…ENJOY
