Saturday 8 March 2014

Wolfies on the Longside

This was going to be my Project Sewn entry for the shoe inspiration challenge - but life got in the way and I didn't get photos taken and edited in time to add the link.

Snake Skinny Wolfies

The shoes are Mia Piaci that I got on my last trip to Auckland.  You may have seen them on my Instagram feed!  I totally love them.  Let me show you a close up ...

Snake Skinny Wolfies

These shoes look best with a skinny jean/pant, so I decided it was time for a couple of pattern hacks, ha-ha-ha!

The pants are Peter and the Wolf by Papercut patterns.  I made my first pair of Wolfies in December, you can read about my first dance with this pattern here.

The first pair was made straight out of the box.  The fit needed some small tweaks to move fabric from the front to the back, but the bones of the pattern were good.   I needed to add some depth to the back and remove some length from the front in the high hip and waist region.

For the second pair I picked up some heavy black cotton sateen and snake skin print from the Arthur Toye closing down sale.

Snake Skinny Wolfies

I'm not a huge fan of the 3/4 leg pant, so this time I wanted to convert the pattern to a skinny fit.  Changes to the pattern included:
  • removing 1/4" from about the centre of the front crouch seam, by creating a hinge.  I dropped the crouch at the inner leg seam by 1/4" to put back the same amount of fabric I had taken out.
  • I lowered the centre front by 3/4" and the front leg seam by 1/2" tapering up to the original height of the side seam.
  • I added 1/2" to the centre back seam, about 2" below the top edge.
  • I added 6" to the length and tappered all four pieces so the circumference around my ankle was 9" in total.
  • Added 5" to the waist band because the pants now sit on my hip rather than my waist.
  • Added belt loops.
The major change I made to the pant was to insert a front fly rather than having a side seam.  I copied the fly front and pattern pieces from my favourite Jalie jean pattern.  This is the best fly front that I have ever done, although it is only my third!

Snake Skinny Wolfies

I also attempted to put in some faux pocket openings in the back, copying a concept from one of my ready to wear jeans.  This was a bit of a fail!  They look okay from a distance and give the look I was trying to achieve but don't look to closely at them, cause they aren't pretty.

Snake Skinny Wolfies

For the leg hem I used a self-drafted facing and included a small side split.  I'm really liking the hem facing concept, it gives a really nice crisp line.  I used a bit of contrast fabric for the front facing, just cause I could :-)

Snake Skinny Wolfies

I made an Ensis tee (pattern hack) to wear with these pants.  After my other recent Ensis Tee, I wanted to play a bit more with the lace concept.  This time I selected a black merino and some left over stretch lace from this dress.  I hacked this pattern quite severly ...
  • For the top pieces and sleeves I cut a XS - the fit of my previous tees where perfect.
  • The body needed to be a closer fit, so I cut the bottom body pieces down to a size XXS.
  • I had to reduce the upper body pieces under the arm to a size XXS, which now means my sleeves wouldn't fit, so I added the extra 5/8" back into the armseye by lengthening the top body pieces under the notches.
  • I dropped the neckline by 2"
  • The bottom body pieces were shortened to the waist so I could add a peplum.
  • I decided to take the peplum from the Cake Hummingbird pattern
Lace Ensis Peplum

I had a slight hiccup in that I didn't quite have enough of the merino that I got from The Fabric Store and had to use some that I just purchased from Arthur Toye.  They are slightly different in quality and colour - not that I think anyone but me will notice.

I'm not that in love with this tee.  I didn't allow any fabric for the bust so the seam at the front waist is higher than the back.  I kinda wish I had made it without the peplum.  I have more merino and more of the lace so I might just do that yet.

More photos on my Flickr --> I used a different camera for these resulting in smaller images than usual.  I must work out the setting, or get another camera!

18 comments:

  1. Awesome outfit and you are totally rocking those shoes! I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who makes clothes to go with shoes!

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    1. Thanks Tanya. Most days I get dressed by decided on what shoes I feel like wearing - I'm sure that's not normal!

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  2. I love the outfit. I really like the snake print with the black. Loving the shoes as well. I don't think there is anything I don't like in Mi Piaci.

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    1. Shoes, I just love shoes! I just need to find a pair of winter shoes similar :-)

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  3. Oooh fabulous Wolfies!! Love them!! :-) Great length on you.

    I like the idea of changing the side zip to a fly front - I may just have to try that.. Hmmmmm.....

    (I must say though, I kinda agree about the peplum - while it looks ok, it just doesn't look at good at your other Ensis tees....)

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    1. Thanks Kat. I've worn these a couple of times now and I'm really liking the fly front - I think that is the way to go. Yep definitely gonna make another Ensis!

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  4. Those shoes are yummy and the pants are deliciously amazing! Love the snake print accents and to pair it with your lace accent blouse, to die for!

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    1. Thanks Melody - hopefully I can get away with wearing these shoes into Autumn.

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  5. Oh those shoes! I almost bought them but they didn't have my size! They are FABulous and I am very jealous.

    You are Queen of the Wolfies and I like the front fly, for me it feels more "right", I think it's the interruption, it would feel more flattering to wear, for me anyway.

    It's not my favourite Ensis you've made. It's close though, I agree you need to take a second shot at it and I think then you'll nail it.

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    1. Defo my favourite shoes this season - I couldn't believe my luck when they still had my size available in the sale!

      I've still got a couple more tweaks to make to the next pair of Wolfies, but I'm sure I'm going to get plenty of wear out of these this autumn/winter.

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  6. Yet another amazing pair of pants! I love the snakeskin trim, it looks fantastic and edgy. I really enjoy your whole rock chick aesthetic, you work it so well!

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    1. Thanks Joy, I'm not sure that I've really described my aesthetic before, but I do know that I'm not a floral vintage kinda girl. I'm liking the Rock Chick description :-)

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  7. Great shoes indeed! I can imagine you are in love with these babies!
    The pants look great, I love the snake detail, very playful.

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    1. Summer is coming to an end and I'll have to put these shoes away for this season - but definitely of my favourite purchases this summer.

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  8. There's the snakeskin fabric, baby! I just say Kat's version of this pattern and loved it and your version, also loving! The welt pockets are so attention getting in the snakeskin and sewn so well! I like the hem slits choice as well.

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    1. Thanks Catja, I've worn these quite a few times now but I'm still trying to work out the best top to wear so I can show off that snakeskin but without having anything tucked in - my waist area isn't my best feature!

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  9. Wow shoe inspired garments. I wouldn't know where to start among my 120 pairs! Love your new pants and have added a peplum top to my upper body sewing list!

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    1. Oh My 120 pairs of shoes - I would be in heaven in your wardrobe! Most days I decide what shoes to wear first then decide on what next. This is the first time I've sewn a garment to match shoes but it might become quite addictive way to sew. lol

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