Laptop Sleeves for me!

After seeing the fabulous tutorial by Crap I've Made over at Skip To My Lou I had to have one.. Ok, two. One for my main laptop, and one for the netbook I sometimes use.

Talk about easy to make, I made both in an hour, it would've been a lot less if I hadn't fluffed around doing bits and bobs.
The result? Two awesome lappy sleeves. Next time I'll add fusible fleece to both the lining and outer layers instead of just the outer, I'd prefer a bit more padding. Neoprene would be great too, I plan to try that.

The fabric is AWESOME. It was on clearance with 30% off. It's got 1950 style prints all over it, all related to sewing/fashion. I just adore it.  It is of course fully lined, but typical me didn't get a picture of it.

I've got another 4 at least to make to cover everyones laptops. They will make fabulous Christmas gifts.
The same principal could be used to make any little pouch really, makeup case, camera pouch etc.

How to make a zippered laptop sleeve.

Totally loving this tutorial by Crap I've made for a zippered laptop sleeve that's featured over on Skip To my Lou today!
I'm going to make a few! I'll be adding handles to one.
For those in NZ, "fusible fleece" is basically fusible batting.
It's made by Pellon, but there may be some other brands who make it!

Laptop Sleeve Tutorial

 

It's a woman's prerogative!

Ok so some of you may know the constant changes in the look of the blog.
I'm trying to find a style I'm happy with. No such luck yet! LOL.
But hey, it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind, right.

I've done no sewing this week so far, with having to go away overnight, and being able to barely walk, let alone get up and down from the sewing chair a dozen times with a bad hip.
Heres hoping it improves, and I will get to do some sewing over the weekend.

Burda 7738 - Showing off my ASSets

Pattern Description:
Womens Stretch Jeans
Pattern Sizing:
34-46
I made size 46

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Fairly similar

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I didn't follow them at all! I've made enough jeans lately that I can sew them with my eyes closed almost!
But I did have a quick read through of the instructions, and I do make mine a bit different. They have you sew the side seams first and top stitch, then sew the inner seams. I make mine the other way around, as I like that single row of top stitching on the inner leg.
Plus fitting wise, it's always my side seams that need adjusting.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I LOVE this pattern. Only thing I don't like about it, is the size of the pocket pattern. But I adjusted that before I even cut it, so now I have lovely wee pockets.
Also don't like the hip yoke style, but it's not a huge factor.

Fabric Used:
A nice soft stretch denim.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I did the largest size, they fit perfectly all over, except they are quite snug on the side seams, even with a very scant seam. Next time I'll add 1cm or so to the front side seam, to just below the pockets.
I didn't include belt loops, as I never use them.

I took 10cm total off the length. It means I'll be able to get away with 2m exactly to make a pair of jeans!

As above, I altered the size of the patch pockets.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Absolutely! this is my favourite jean pattern ever!

Conclusion:
I love love love these jeans. A girlfriend of mine thinks they look fabulous, and best of all, I feel wonderful in them.

Finding my ASSet

Every girl knows, that jeans really are made to make the most of our ASSets.
And every girl knows, how utterly hard it is to find the perfect pair.
Whether you're a size 8, or a size 28, we all want to look our best right?
So as you can clearly see, I've been working towards my perfect jean pattern, trying to find just the right one.

Mccalls 5894 - Was great, had a good shape, but wasnt "The One"
Jalie 2908 - Lovely shape to the bottom of the legs, but overall, I was disappointed.

Yesterday while browsing with my like minded best friend and "sister from another mister" I came across Burda 7738.
I thought hey why not, so bought the pattern, and made a pair today.
I fell in love with my ASSet! LOL
Burda 7738 is definitely "The One".
Next time I'll add a slight wedge to the rise, as they are low rise (so almost normal on me being short), and will add a bit more (1cm?) to the top of the front side seams, as they are snug, even with a very very very scant seam, but as its stretch denim, I do expect it to give a bit through wearing. There is NO gaposis. They hug perfectly. And look so fabulous.
The only thing I am disappointed about, is the zip. It was one I bought cheaply, bad idea! It's so sticky and stiff, hopefully some soap will loosen it up.

Now you're thinking "enough rambling, just show us the pictures" right?
Ha! No pictures until tomorrow!!!
But I couldn't hold in my excitement about finding my perfect jeans pattern!

Jalie Jeans 2908 - a Love Hate Relationship

Pattern Description:
Womens Stretch Jeans
Pattern Sizing:

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Fairly similar

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, I printed off the instructions from the website. I do however feel they could be rewritten to change a few of the simple but in my mind strange steps.

On the waistband, they had you sew a straight stitch on one side, so it would fold easily. Why not just fold it over and press? It seemed unnecessary to me.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I really like the rise. They don't feel like they are slipping down all the time.
I dislike the cross waistband. I'll be changing that on my next pair to do just a plain straight one.
The zip seems to pull open a bit which I'm not happy with, although I usually wear tops that cover it. I think it is to do with the shape of the fly, i'll be changing that also for my next pair.
I'm not a huge fan of the slim fit through the thighs, although I think the boot leg seems to be quite flattering.
The front pockets are HUGE and are half way down my thigh. And the rear pockets are too big as well. Far too long for me, so once again, I'll be changing that in the next pair.
Fabric Used:
A nice soft stretch denim.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I did the largest size, and ended up taking them in 1cm on each side seam. I also think I could take the inner leg seam in a bit near the crotch.

I didn't include belt loops, as I never use them.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Yes I will sew it again, however I think I may morph them into my mccalls 5894.

Conclusion:
I'm having a bit of a love hate relationship with this pattern.
Probably moreso due to the fact that everyone had done such glowing reviews, and I am disappointed with the final outcome of mine.
While I do love the shape of the legs, and the shape it gives the rear end, I am still sitting on the wall about them. And personally, prefer the M5894 instructions and construction.

The top stitching on the rear leaves a lot to be desired (was trying to figure out exact placement using my new F600). But I do love my little bartacks on my zip ;o)

To sum it up, I'm happy but not thrilled with these jeans like I am with the M5894.

See how long the pockets are! 

I pushed my hands away from my thighs so you can see just how long.

The zip pulling to the side. But love my little bartack!

Tunic with Belt!

Well I'm happy. Here is the tunic with a belt, and thick leggings. Looks heaps better in my opinion!

Tunics and thunder thighs!

I used my gorgeous aubergine merino yesterday to make Vogue 1173. It turned out just gorgeous.
I did make a few alterations, the pattern called for the armhole facing to be turned right to the inside and then twin needle/coverstitched. But I didn't like that idea, it would've meant I would've had 5 layers of merino around each armhole, quite bulky.
So instead, I didn't turn the facing to the inside at all. And edge stitched between the facing and tunic so the seam allowance would lie flat and just be like an extra band. (I need to get pictures of this!)

Otherwise, it was a very simple, quick thing to make up. Took me about 4 hours once I'd cut it out, and pinned the darts. (4 long 4 short in the front, 4 long in the back!)
I'll definitely make it again, since tunics are popular at the moment. 

But why didn't anyone tell me that while this season has been my skirt season, I have some serious thunder thighs going on. I do know they are bigger than they should be, but until this picture, I didn't quite realise just how big.
Something has to be done. And now I'm doubting my ability to wear this tunic without a pair of jeans underneath. They always say a camera adds 10lbs, so how many cameras were on me? LOL

Why do I always put my head down in photos taken from behind? lol

Now how fabulous is this FREE pattern for Laptop sleeves! I'm going to make a few up, this house has plenty of laptops that need housing!

SewMamaSew Laptop Sleeve

PDF instructions for Laptop Sleeve

There's also the new season patterns coming out. Here are a few I just LOVE

V

Vogue 8672 - I love the waistband of the two skirts in the middle!

McCalls 6149 - I tried on a waistcoat very similar to the black one, with the long lines, it was very flattering! May have to make one up.

McCalls 6173 - who would've thought after leggings being so "uncool" when I was at school, now they are the in thing that anyone can wear! I love my leggings for under skirts, but of course they are made for longer legs than someone with a 5'2 stature has! Making some to my length would be great.

Finally some patterns that I don't have to hunt around and find as they are OOP!

Now I'm off to run up and down the stairs a few times ;)

Photos at long last.

The pictures don't really look as though there is a lot of fabric there. But a lot of those have 4+ metres of each, theres 6+m in each of the 3 blocks of denim, a few of the fabrics for jackets are all 5m+. And most of the stretches are 2m minimum.  In total there is more than 70 metres by doing a quick count.

 

my scrummy aubergine 100% merino in the above picture!!!

 

my bargain buy of waistband interfacing. 100m if I remember rightly, cost $2.00

 

What you can only just see in the bottom right of this picture is the gorgeous Karen Walker fabric my sister bought for me. Awww. It's going to make a fab skirt!

My favourite buy would have to be in the picture immediately above. it's a black stretchy knit, with gold printed letters all over it. I plan on making Vogue 1173 out of it, I think it'll look so funky.
Sitting underneath that, is some thin fake leather type fabric in a chocolate brown. I'm thinking either a jacket, and at least a cool belt. To the right of those two fabrics is a thick wool blend, for next years coat. The houndstooth to the left, is for a trench coat.

It's now all put away in the cupboard, just waiting to be used. Boy I can't wait!

I'm home! And with Goodies Galore!

I arrived home this morning... With 60 odd kg (130lb!) of fabric. That's like a whole persons weight!
Now comes the horrific task of pre washing it all. EEKK.

I had such a great time away, and know exactly where I will be going next time, and for what! (And how much I can bring home, hehehe)

On arriving home, there was my lovely Juki F600 box just waiting to be opened. The lovely dealer who sold it to me, even threw in an invisible zipper foot for me too, how fabulous is that!
I haven't tested it out yet, only oooh'd and aww'd at it! Unpacking, and a girlfriends birthday lunch comes first. But now there is fabric strewn for miles, no one is home, the birthday lunch is over, I am about to go wind some bobbins, and get sewing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As well as getting some pictures of everything I bought while away. Hehehe