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Saturday 27 September 2008

BMI - still overweight

Well I am still at Weight Watchers and still theoretically overweight. I have about 5lbs to lose to get into the top end of the BMI's recommended weight for my height.
That does seem quite harsh as I don't exactly look fat anymore.
I think there should be another indicator which also takes into account the 'sturdiness' of a person - measuring something like the width between shoulder blades or hip bones maybe to tell you the scale of a person's bones. Obviously it has to be something which doesn't alter when you put weight on.

Clothing size wise I am all over the place. I am mostly buying a UK size 14 in RTW, but sometimes in trousers and skirts I am a 12 or even a 10 - vanity sizing I am convinced! I have some knit tops though in a 16, to get the shoulders in and also to allow for the sweater to not be super skin tight.

I went into Outfit at lunchtime the other day, this has several different high street stores in one large shop. I tend to wander through them all as they have a different 'vibe' in each section. I looked at the Evans (plus size) stuff only briefly as their smallest size is a very generously sized 14 which drowns me - a good problem I suppose :-)

Sunday 14 September 2008

Simplicity 5193

Pattern Description:
Simplicity Design Your Own multi wardrobe this includes a dress, top, pants and sash. I sewed the pants as PJ pants.
Pattern Sizing:
14-20, I sewed the 14 pants. I have a 41" hip
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Not particularly as my fabric is much less formal. The leg width of the photo of the model is more accurate than the sketches. Its quite a slim legged pant compared to other alstic waist pants I've sewn in the apst.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Didn't really follow them as this is a supereasy elastic waist pant.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I wanted to try a new pattern for PJ pants as my old faithful ones is now way too big.
Fabric Used:
Cotton with a lovely silky feel (long staple perhaps) in a bright red print with paisleys. I bought this fabric in Abakhan Preston Lancs UK, on a test trip for the PR weekend there in October.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I lengthened the legs slightly, I extended the back crotch by an inch and a half to accommodate my full butt and took a wedge out of the front crotch for my short front (I think I have a tipped pelvis, these alterations give more coverage at the back, less at the front.)
I also paired the PJ pants with a purchased tee in plain white, onto which i appliquéd a large red heart (centre front) and a mini heart (lower hem) to make into PJs.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Easy elastic waist pants. So would use them again. A little neater than my old pattern for PJ pants, and I will use it again for more pairs.
Conclusion:
I am an advanced beginner and can sew things which are way more complex than this, but just now my job is super demanding, I am doing a professional course and the house is on the market and my sewing room is mostly turned back into a bedroom for viewing. I needed to sew desperately and this simple project fit the bill. The red is a strong and happy colour which makes me smile.
This could be a great project for a beginner, the elastic waist pants are easy to construct, and adding a purchased tee with co-ordinating appliqué suddenly makes them into cute PJs.

PJs finished -Simplicity 5193



I used the elastic waist pants from Simplicity 5193 to make these PJ pants. The top is a purchased tee appliquéd with a large and small heart cut from the leftover fabric.

Monday 8 September 2008

September sewing - PJ pants


I really wanted to break the rut I've been in of not doing any sewing, so I cut out some PJ pants in this red paisley fabric which I think is a fine cotton.







I used Simplicity 5193 since it had some simple elastic waist pants included which didn't look too crazy in the legs. Photo tomorrow.

Monday 1 September 2008

Boiled wool jackets - ideas



I am musing on using the boiled wool fabric I bought in Germany last year to make a jacket. Here are some ideas.