And the winner is…

Here it is. Finally. The one and only. Real and official come back post after months of absence. What could be worth it? Let me tell you, it is not a big thing. It is tiny. Well I guess, being big or small actually depends… But anyway, it is a classic left over project. And remember? Actually, one of the most important aims of this blog used to be sharing ideas for left over fabric and yarn. But I am afraid, this can’t wait until next Sunday. It is too amazing.

If you are following other sewing blogs or forums, then you might be well aware of the trend to sew knickers. Or underwear in general. I always found that a bit silly. Don’t get me wrong, I totally love colourful and fun underwear. I just think that underwear needs to be washed at 60 degree  and the precious material I am normally using is not made for such high temperatures. At least not according to the manufacturers. And anyway, I always thought self made underwear would be one step too far. Until the day, when I was looking for my next sewing project and couldn’t be bothered to make the 500st T-Shirt for my children…..  However, I was very bothered by the amount of smallish pieces of left over fabric and so I decided to give handmade knickers a chance and what can I say! I got totally hooked. I have not taken any pictures of the very first ones and getting them out of my wardrobe and photograph them now, really seems to be a step too far. So let’s just enjoy the few that I have made since.

 

pattern: Frau Marla by Fritzi und Schnittreif, fabric: various

After a first attempt where I followed the pattern correctly, I decided to lower the waist by just leaving out the added waistband. I quite like this panty style, plus if you want to show off beautiful material, you need some space anyway.

Note: These are all in grown up sizes, not children. Because I will certainly not make knickers or underpants for my children.  Just imagine! Bad enough if your mum buys your underwear but if she was sewing it for you!!! I would have to start saving up for that very much needed therapy immediately. Just imagine the embarrasment for them wearing mum-made underpants! They already find it sufficiently embarrassing to see their mum jumping around the house in blue pony knickers.

I am also not making any for my husband by the way. Not only because he wouldn’t be wearing them anyway but as I would never buy his underwear I feel that it is just appropriate to also not make any.

It was a really amazing journey. The first time doing it, it just feels wrong, my husband looked at me and simply asked: “Seriously?”

But then, you put it on and it feels so soft and it is such a beautiful fabric, maybe one that you rather shouldn’t be wearing as a top or dress…. and you just want to try it again. Maybe this time with pink unicorns or little monsters….

And let me tell you, once you open that door and go through it there is no turning back and you get torn into it deeper and deeper.  Whilst i still believe in the very strict rule of not making any for my children, I have since made some for my sister (who has already asked for more) and some friends.

 

DSC_0794fabric: Lillestoff

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Remember, when I had made some cute outfits for the babies of two of my friends with laboratory connections? I have realised that the babies have probably already outgrown their outfits and I should have made something for the friends themselves anyway. Sure, beanies would have been an option. But not really – compared to that:

 

fabric: Experimente by Lillestoff, design Susalabim

And remember, when my son admired my leggings made from this particular fabric and asked me why I had explosions at my bottom? Well, I still quite like that idea…

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Remember, I was speaking of two friends. One is actually a male friend….

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pattern: John by pattydoo, fabric: Experimente by susalabim, Lillestoff.

I would like to point out that I did ask my husband’s and my friend’s wife’s opinion on this one as I really wasn’t sure if I had already left the path of appropriateness or not …

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… bottom explosion here as well.

Since those boxers I have actually lost all the boundaries, I have since made some for random people in my life…

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(There are a few more unicorns on the horizon)

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Remember, we are still talking about grown up sizes here.

Let me tell you, I really do believe now, strongly, that handmade knickers / underpants are the perfect and personalised gift and I fear, I am only one step from making some for the lovely elderly neighbours and my children’s teachers.

Ok, and with these certainly sensational news about my sewing adventure I would like to officially say: Welcome back to my blog. I promise to post more regularly. At least every now and then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A story about explosions on my bottom and why I really need mustard tights

As you may have noticed by now, I do have a mild addiction for Lillestoff fabrics. Back in September, they announced this beautiful fabric which I absolutely needed. 3 months later (yes 3!) they finally released it – Can you actually “release” a fabric? But anyway. In a moment of shock I ordered 3 metres and quickly changed it to 4. I was planning big things and those fabrics sometimes sell out within hours, believe it or not.

When it finally arrived, I was understandably very nervous. With trembling hands I put it in the washing machine and with still trembling hands (lots of tea got spilled in the meantime) I hung it on the laundry rack. And then, finally, it was time to cut it. But I couldn’t. I was far too nervous and suddenly I had doubts about the main project and how it would be received by others. Would they like it? Or find me ridiculous? I decided to make a pair of leggings as a warm up.

My son was fascinated and kept staring at my legs from various angles and asking questions about it. Resulting in: Mum, why are there two explosions on your bum? What an unexpected question! What was I supposed to answer? What would you say:

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This is how I see it:

DSC_0165pattern: leggings Lillian by pattydoo, fabric: Experimente by Lillestoff, design by Susalabim

To be honest, the intense interest by a 6-year-old, who really kept examining the design, made me wonder a tiny bit if it was actually meant to be a design for grown ups.

So, to compare age groups, I made two pieces for babies for friends of mine who happen to be a chemistry teacher and a pharmacist. The friends, not the babies.

DSC_0067DSC_0065Babyshirt from Kinderleicht by Pauline Dohmen (klimperklein)

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DSC_0069Knopftunika and leggings from Babyleicht by Pauline Dohmen (klimperklein)

Okay, okay, I know this looks cute. But seriously, have you ever seen a set of baby clothes that did not look cute? That doesn’t actually mean that the fabric is not initially meant to be for grown ups and very mature persons. I could show you zillions of examples, I just don’t feel like it right now.

Since I am usually dressed very elegantly, I wouldn’t be able to wear the leggings anywhere outside the house. That and the fact that I still had about 3m of fabric left made me overcome my doubts and go back to the initial plan to make a beautiful, elegant and yet comfortable dress.

DSC_0140pattern: Gloria by Milchmonster

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The darts at the back make it a bit too tight. Only time will tell if I am going to lose that pound or the darts. And it is not cut badly out of the grainline I just haven’t pulled it down properly plus the dress has a A-line skirt with a round hem.

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As you can see in this picture, I did manage quite well to match the stripes (which vary a bit in width unfortunately), however, as said before,  the stripes aren’t ideal for a round hem. But it is certainly not a reason not to combine the very flattering and practical Gloria (breastfeeding friendly) with this fabric made for me.

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So, I am really happy with my combination of fabric and pattern, even though there will be ignorants people who wouldn’t consider this to be the perfect match.

If only I had mustard woolen tights to go with them… Or should I just make myself a pair of mustard leggings? But will I win that direct competition with the cute baby girl? Hmm.

But for now over to RUMS, to share and see what others have made.