With my hair freshly done, today was the day to get in front of the camera. I'll start with a couple of wearable muslin ... the Belcarra top by Sewaholic and the Elle Pant by Style Arc.
Let's start with the Belcarra. As soon as this pattern hit the world I knew I had to order it - I knew that this is one of those patterns that would be a staple in my wardrobe.
My body shape doesn't fit the Sewaholic profile, so I selected a size 10 based on my bust size and graded to a size 8 at the hips.
Overall I think it's a damn fine fit. I just wonder whether I need to remove a small amount of fabric to take into account my hollow upper chest, or whether it's meant to be a really relaxed fit? I might ponder on that a little more.
I whipped this up using a 1m of cotton voile that I picked up from the remnant bin at The Fabric Warehouse for just $5.00. Because I only had one metre of fabric I had to use black bias binding for the neck binding. I made my own bias binding, that worked a treat.
I really like the length of the Belcarra, it just hits the body in the right place that can hide 100 sins.... like these pants. These are the Elle Pant from Style Arc. I ordered a size 12, based on my hip measurement. Given that they were such a basic pant pattern I figured what could go wrong - well that's a rather naive attitude it seems. Just look at this - not to hard now!!!
And this is with some adjustments after I sewed them together. I trimmed about 1/4" off the front and back pattern pieces, so 1/2" per side. I also trimmed about 1/4" off the inner thigh near the crutch, but I didn't alter the crutch at all as that seemed to fit comfortably. But I've still got all that excess fabric around the crutch???
I think I've figured out that I've got too much fabric in the back pieces and could essentially just shave the back pattern pieces along the side seam, probably through to just below the knee - I wouldn't want the calf area to be any tighter. I really do need to read more on pant fitting. I took a Craftsy class but it was way too loose for me to grab anything really tangible. If anyone can recommend a really good pant fitting book that would be amazing; while I've sewn a few jeans, a couple of leggings and now these the perfect fits is still alluding me. Whatever adjustments I have made aren't really addressing my problem.
For now though these Elle pants are wearable with long tops.
More photos on my Flickr -->
