Sorry for the pun but, after my last post where I painstakingly made a man’s shirt – albeit only a wearable muslin so far – I fancied a bit of an easier project before I embark upon the ‘real’ shirt.
I bought this pattern in Minerva Crafts’ sale a little while ago as I thought it would be an ideal style for Mlle Tialys the younger to wear for work.
This is a close up of the fabric which is a sort of teal blue although, in all the other photos it looks more grey. Birds seem to be everywhere on fabric and clothes at the moment – have you noticed?
I made view D with a sort of handkerchief hem (or whatever this sort of hem is called) but with 3/4 length sleeves. All done on the overlocker/serger apart from the zig zag round the neckline and the twin needle stitch around the hem and sleeves.
Perfect with leggings although it’s a thankless task making clothes for the younger as she’s not that interested and would stay in pyjamas all day if she could.
Ooh, hang on, she looks a bit happier here. Maybe I’ll make another then.
I’m not sure about making the leggings on the pattern. It seems like an awful lot of fabric and faff to make something that won’t look any different to something you can pick up for a reasonable price almost anywhere. Unless, of course, I made them in some unusual fabric but then she probably wouldn’t wear them. What do you think? Would you/have you made leggings? Is it worth it?
Tialys 
#1 by katechiconi on September 24, 2017 - 12:44
Great top, but I definitely wouldn’t bother with leggings unless she’s into colourful ones. You can buy about a thousand nice black pairs for the price of a good quality printed stretch… Or maybe that’s just here. Still, what do I know, I last wore leggings about 10 years ago!
#2 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:15
I would maybe think about making some for myself for Zumba/pilates class but they would have to be in more ‘sporty’ fabric and I think it’s best to have a coverstitch machine for those and that might be a machine too far.
#3 by nanacathy2 on September 24, 2017 - 13:37
I love that tunic, isn’t it just lovely. Forget the leggings and make yourself a tunic.
#4 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:14
I actually wouldn’t mind one myself although perhaps with a slightly less dramatic hemline. I do have some nice jersey fabric in my stash that I have had for a while and needs using up.
#5 by claire93 on September 24, 2017 - 14:05
brilliant tunic/dress! I agree with Kate and Cathy, don’t waste time making leggings. Black leggings will go with anything and a second pair will be cheaper to buy than to make.
#6 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:13
On checking her wardrobe, I’ve unearthed many different pairs in grey and navy as well as black so I’m glad I didn’t bother.
#7 by claire93 on September 25, 2017 - 17:52
and I bet she forgot she had them
#8 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 19:00
Of course and I’m only permitted access to the Bermuda Triangle very rarely so there are all sorts of forgotten items in there.
#9 by CurlsnSkirls on September 24, 2017 - 14:19
Another agreement on the leggings idea, unless they’re for Your Good Self. Have gone on a strict fabric/pattern moratorium so haven’t seen birds on fabric. And am trying to stay away from more patterns, but this one (and others) are very tempting.
#10 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:12
If there’s a half price pattern sale I’m afraid I’m a goner.
#11 by CurlsnSkirls on September 25, 2017 - 15:40
Perhaps it’s not such a bad things our only fabric store is miles away… sigh.
#12 by Janice Marriott on September 24, 2017 - 16:31
She looks just fine in boughten leggings. I like the pattern and yes, I have noticed birds everywhere.
#13 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:12
Birds are nice things to have on fabric – better than skulls, even flowery ones, which are also popular.
#14 by Lynnx on September 24, 2017 - 19:27
WOW! looks great, I have requested an overlocker for a few Xmases and birthdays but it has fallen on deaf ears so hopefully Lidl or Aldi will come up trumps and I will buy my own so I can create lovely things as you do.
Love your front door, I think it was made by the same people who made ours as I’ve just noticed it’s exactly the same x
#15 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:11
I have a Pfaff one from Lidl still in its box which you could have for half price if you want. I’ll email you.
I’ll have a look at your door next time I come round too – you probably oil yours more regularly than we do.
#16 by Dartmoor Yarns on September 24, 2017 - 19:59
Love the top, but with you on not making leggings. I’d stay in my PJs all day too given the choice 🙂
#17 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:09
I’m sometimes tempted on a Sunday if I’m not going out anywhere – especially in the midst of winter. Of course that would be when somebody dropped in unexpectedly
#18 by Dartmoor Yarns on September 25, 2017 - 09:03
Sounds like an excellent excuse for really nice PJ’s to me 🙂
#19 by magpiesue on September 25, 2017 - 01:14
What a great tunic! Personally, I’m loving the presence of birds on fabrics all over. I’d pass on the leggings too; not worth the effort. Unless you happen to have some appropriate fabric on hand that needs to be used up…
#20 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:08
I don’t – so that’s that decision made 🙂
#21 by dezertsuz on September 25, 2017 - 03:38
I would not have made the leggings, either. They are fiddly and stretchy, and you can buy them cheaply enough! The tunic looks great, though. I like the pattern.
#22 by tialys on September 25, 2017 - 08:06
That does seem to be the consensus of opinion. I didn’t make the ones she’s wearing and, actually, when checking her wardrobe I saw she already has numerous pairs so no need for any more in any case.
#23 by sew2pro on September 25, 2017 - 21:27
I once tried to shorten a pair of RTW leggings but even this simple task was so much of a faff that I’d have wasted less time getting a bus to the shops and looking for another pair!
Lovely fabric and dress for Mademoisielle. Your sewing is on a roll!
#24 by tialys on September 28, 2017 - 12:41
Spooky! I was just thinking about you the other day and missing exchanging our comments. I know you’re busy with work etc. but have you also defected to IG like a lot of others? I can’t believe you when you say you couldn’t shorten a pair of RTW leggings – you are a sewing ninja.
#25 by Born To Organize on September 27, 2017 - 02:55
I’ve never made leggings, though I have made trousers. When you’re tall and long-waisted like me, it’s often the only way to get a good fit. That said, I haven’t made them in years, since I can buy nice stretchy ones now with a forgiven fit. I’ve even found a website that sells tall sizes. I get my Pilates and walking pants from them.
The tunic is fun! I’m glad she smiled you on in the second pic so you’ll feel good about making another. This is the sort of pattern that will look completely different with an altered hem and a different pattern. Nice and versatile. Staying tuned.
#26 by tialys on September 28, 2017 - 12:39
I’ve already ordered fabric for another couple for her and I’ve noticed I have the perfect black and white mix in my stash for me so, yes, stay tuned. I haven’t made ‘proper’ trousers but then I don’t have a lot of trouble finding a good fit in the shops so they keep moving to the bottom of my ‘to do’ list.
#27 by Born To Organize on September 29, 2017 - 03:22
I will indeed stay tuned! Lucky you that you can get a good trouser fit without the fuss. My sister has a “ready to wear” figure, so she’s been able to buy clothing her whole life without any fuss. I’m quite envious.
#28 by Kim on September 27, 2017 - 21:50
Lovely top for Mlle Tialis. I love the birds on the fabric!
I have made leggings. Not difficult but the cost of decent fabric makes it uneconomic. Sew tops, buy leggings 😃.
#29 by tialys on September 28, 2017 - 12:37
That’s my plan!
#30 by sewchet on September 30, 2017 - 09:21
I’ve made loads of leggings as they’re easy and quick to make. Obviously, only in colours I can’t buy, like Teal and Chestnut Pleather. Love ’em!
#31 by tialys on October 2, 2017 - 10:24
I feel like I want to make some now if only for an excuse to say something like ‘chestnut pleather’ out loud. 🙂
#32 by sewchet on October 2, 2017 - 10:26
As I wrote it, I laughed at myself!! But they’re actually my favourites 😍
#33 by jendavismiller on October 2, 2017 - 04:00
Cute, cute, cute! Your youngest here looks pretty happy in the second photo. I’ve noticed birds, too, and have a piece of bird fabric cut out and waiting patiently to be sewn. I also have a pair of stretchy pants cut out that are not as snug as leggings; and they will likely become all-day comfy bottoms. Don’t know about encasing these legs in anything too tight, as comfortable as they may be.
#34 by tialys on October 2, 2017 - 10:26
I have silly, skinny legs so I always wear boots with mine and something longish on top so you only see from mid thigh down to calves or just below the knee if I go for longer boots.
#35 by jendavismiller on October 2, 2017 - 19:24
Oh to have silly, skinny legs………….. 😉
#36 by Thimberlina on October 2, 2017 - 22:57
Love the fabric! And so glad your daughter smiled for you in the end.
I need to say that I was a bit shocked to see clothes on your blog! I’m so out of the loop and need to see what else you’ve been making. As for leggings, when I was doing to the RTW fast in 2014 they were my saviour. I could a whip a pair up in an hour and so are definitely worth it. I’d recomend the Sewing Cake Espresso leggings pattern – you plot your measurements on a chart and have a custom made pattern. I made them for my mum, my friend, and my nieces and they all fitted really well. I bought the hard copy version but I think there might be a PDF version too.
#37 by tialys on October 2, 2017 - 23:03
You’ve been gone so long I’ve even made a man’s shirt while you weren’t looking – well a wearable muslin anyway.
I’ll have a look at that pattern just in case I can’t resist a bit of chestnut pleather 😉
#38 by Thimberlina on October 2, 2017 - 23:11
haha…. I know, I just read sheila comment too! Everyone should have a pair!
It’s good to be back….I’ve missed it, sewing definitely keeps me sane and I need a little sanity at the moment!
#39 by tialys on October 3, 2017 - 08:20
I just can’t reconcile myself to the word ‘pleather’ – it sounds so weird when you say it.
#40 by Thimberlina on October 5, 2017 - 07:48
😂