Showing posts with label Patterns for Pirates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patterns for Pirates. Show all posts
We're in the home stretch folks! I have one more review after this one and in just a quick minute we're going to be giving away fabric! I hope you've enjoyed reading though Tibeca's posts and mine as well. 

Today I'm reviewing the Patterns for Pirates Slim Fit Raglan. I really loved the look of the original Raglan pattern from P4P, however, if you've ever read my blog, you'll know I like fitted clothing, so this is much more my style. :)
Tibeca sewed up the original if you'd like to read her review here.


I picked up this awesome fabric from Joanns. It's the newer Nicole Miller line they're carrying for Spring. It's super drapey and soft. Plus, it's so vibrant, I felt hella 80's.


I've sewn up so many long sleeves, I thought I'd make a few for Spring that's quickly approaching in Washington. This will be worn a lot on my days off. It's super comfortable and just slim enough to make me feel sexy / casual.


I love -LOVE- how quickly this came together. All of Judy's patterns are "no trim pages" so they're super quick to piece together. And this pattern has LAYERS. So I just chose my size and printed that size only! It works out great and uses less ink. You can easily even print in black and white if you are only doing one size. (She also dashes her patterns, so you can do B&W even if you're blending multiple sizes.)

After this was cut, it took about 25 minutes to sew and maybe 10 to hem. You can't beat that. You just can't. Although, now that I've sewn approximately 2,000,000 raglans I'm sure I'm faster! I only read the instructions so I can pass along if they're good or not! ;)


Judy drafts for 5'5" I am 5'6" but I normally have to add length to P4P patterns (2" - 3"). However, I chose the curved hem and it looked long enough to me, so I decided not to add any length and it turned out really nice! Just enough booty coverage that you could even get away with wearing some Peg Legs as pants while still covering your... behind!
(P.S. If you don't own the Peg Legs yet, you can get a discount code to make them FREE through Judy's pattern group on Facebook, Patterns for Pirates.)


I love how the front curved hem is a little higher than the back! It's a nice touch that helps contribute to the butt coverage. :P I think next time I might add some length just to do some ruching! I think that would be adorable.

I read some complaints about the angle of the sleeves meeting the body on the Regular Raglan, however they seem more slanted on the Slim Fit, which I like. The neck band could be reduced about an inch which I will do next time I sew, however, it still lays pretty flat. :D

Also, I would have loved to see some "lengthen and shorten" lines on the body of the pattern. There is a link in the PDF to her blog with a tutorial, but the link is dead. : / Most sewers can figure out where to cut, but it would be great to have a line to keep the front and back even when lengthening or shortening.


Who should sew Patterns for Pirates Slim Fit Raglan?
Anyone who wants a super quick, no fuss sew! Judy's patterns are loved by so many, I'm sure most of you have tried one. She drafts for average height and a C cup. (I'm a B and they still fit great.) Anyone who want's more options for their raglan, too! The regular Raglan and the Slim Fit have Add On Pack that includes a hoodie, funnel neck, thumb holes, kangaroo pockets, etc. The add on pack works with both the Slim Fit and Regular so it's a 2 for 1! Also, this pattern includes Tunic, Banded, Curved hem, Elbow Patches, and the fun center triangle seen on RTW Raglans.

P.S. Patterns for Pirates is having a 30% off sale and today is the last day! Make sure to go check out The Patterns for Pirates Facebook Group for the discount code and shop for P4P Patterns here.

Sizes
XS - 3XL
Printable pattern pages/copy shop version
Printable pattern pages
Skill Level
Beginner
Measurements for Rectangles
Neckband
Line Drawings
Yes
Size made
Small 27"-34"-37"
Options choosen
Curved hem, Short Sleeve
Fabric Requirement for your size
7/8 body
3/8 for sleeves
Measurement Chart
Yes
Cutting Instructions
No
Pattern Printing Layout
No
Cutting Layout
No
Suggested Fabrics
Knits with 30% stretch for body
70% for Neck and other bands
Layer Printing Option
Yes
Neck Line Options
Crew neck (Optional Triangle Insert)
Sleeve Options
Short, 3/4. and Long
Hem Options
Curved, Tunic, Banded, Hemmed
Color Blocking
No
Seam Allowance
1/2"
Hem Allowance
1"
Separate add-on pack
Yes (Here)
Fit
Fitted
Easy to read instructions
Yes
Drawing or photograph instructions
Pictures



*Do you like the use of my Oxford Comma? If you know what that is and you share the same opinion on said comma, we are friends.*

Don't ask me why I look like I want to murder someone. Maybe it's because this shirt turned out shitty? I'm not sure. Don't judge. That's just my face.

P.S. Those are not pickles on my shirt. Just sayin'. Not pickles.


As a rule, I like tighter fitting clothing but I loved the flowy-ness of the Free Spirit Tank from P4P though, for some unknown reason I decided that I wanted it to be flowy but not too flowy... so I removed the very feature of the shirt that it's based on... because - that's normal.

I mashed it up with the Nettie Body Suit from Closet Case Files (Which is known for being ... a bodysuit ... so tight. haha). I used the Nettie neckline, and tapered from the size 10 Nettie to the handkerchief hem of the FST. And... this is the result. HA! HA! 


Now that I'm done making fun of myself, I can say that I DO love the neckline. I chose to turn under and hem rather than put on neck and arm bands. I like the result, though it has made the neckline a little wide so the straps are prone to slip off my shoulders.


This pics were taken pre-haircut with crazy hair. I would say "crazy hair; don't care" but I'm mentioning it so obviously I do care a little. #Insecurities! ;)


This knit hangs a little funk. It's really soft, but it's Hobby Lobby knit. (Basically this means I don't expect much) I like the style of the hem and maybe next time I'll try to not hussy up my clothes and have a flowy tank like a normal human. And I suppose I'll continue to blog my "not so successful makes" - maybe I'll look back and be like, "dayum... I've gotten so much better!" In a few years.

All in all I do still wear this shirt and it looks cute with a pair of skinnies and a cardigan for work but next time I'll leave the pattern mashing to the pros D: 

P.S. Why isn't Flowy a word? It's not spelled flowey either... flowie. None. Flowing. Sure English - make watery a word but not flowy. You totally make sense.

Details
Not pickle fabric from Hobby Lobby - $6.49/yard for 1 yard = $6.49
Notions: Thread $.50
Total $6.99 for a new top. :D 
Though it's been a short time since I've been sewing, I've been lucky enough to be chosen as a tester for some pretty awesome designers which I will be featuring  in the coming weeks. I think where I contribute most is by being newer, I studiously follow directions, identify areas that are hard for beginners to understand, test fit for my size and, unfortunately, nit-pick about grammar. ;) (Which is hilarious because i'm a terrible speller, thank god for auto-correct!) 

Most recently I was testing a pair of knit pants for Patterns for Pirates designed by Judy Hale. The idea behind the SOS Knit Pants is that they can be Skinny or Straight, jeggings or work wear, date night or office attire. You get the idea.  I sewed up the straight leg version seeing as i'm part of an office...
Judy designs some of my favorite patterns, (which I feel are really under-represented in the blogging world but very celebrated on Facebook, can't we  just merge the two already?) her style is very modern, RTW, comfortable, wearable styles for ladies. Sometimes I feel like it's hard to get all those in one designer! Also, her PDF's are no trim pages. Hallelujah! As compensation for testing this pattern, I did receive the final pattern for free, though all opinions are my own. :)

This is my second pair, and my first successful pair, of the SOS Knit Pants. Let me start off by saying THESE ARE SO DAMN COMFORTABLE! It's like i'm wearing secret pajamas to work. Seriously, it's my favorite secret. I work at an office currently and I have to sit down all damn day and these treat my belly to a soft hug for 8 hours.


 In the first round of testing, the waist was really high but by the end of the pattern, it had been lowered to the perfect height. I mean, right? That rise is simply perfection. 


(but what is up with those pockets?) 


One thing that bothered me about these is no matter the material I used, I was always able to see the pockets! I guess that's the price you pay for comfy knit pants. It really wasn't nearly as noticeable when my shirt was down. (Obviously I wear my shirt up like this at work.) I even trimmed down the pockets and they were still visible. Next time I'll probably do faux pockets on the front to eliminate that.


Here I am standing in front of a bush looking lackadaisical... 
Something I really liked about all this pattern is it has TONS of top stitching details to make the pants go from homemade to handmade. Unfortunately for me, I don't have a cover stitch machine yet so this meant I had to change from double to single needle about 15 times.... one more reason I need a second machine. ;) in the end though it was totally worth it. My fiance even commented how he never would have guessed they weren't store bought because they looked so "professional." Winnnnn.


My first pair was a little..... less successful. This blog is about progress, so I'm going to share anyways! The pictures were taken moments before a torrential downpour, so excuse the vampire flash skin. 


*Toss on my nice jacket, brush off my shoulders* I was SO excited I had sewn pants! 


And they fit awesomely! I did remove about an inch from the rise. (This was lowered an inch in the final pattern, so it's about accurate.) I posted pictures, feeling pretty proud... then Judy informed me that I had sewn the yoke in backwards.... how does one even do this?! In case you're wondering, yes, I have seen pants before, I promise. 


Yes. Backwards. 
*Side note, if you want to feel awkward, go outside in front of your neighbors while it's lightning and thundering and ask your fiance to take closeups of you butt while you are strangely overdressed for 6pm on a Wednesday.


See those visible pockets? Somebody halp! Thinner knit? Faux pocket?


I'm so happy that I sewed up a second pair. Much more wearable. The first pair was also done in a active wear fabric and was much thinner than anticipated. Why does my local Joann's have cornflower blue and camel ponte but not black? Go home Joann's, you're drunk. 

I really want to sew up more of these in many other colors ... you know, more black and maybe some gray. All the pretty office colors. 

If you're interested in purchasing this pattern you can find it here for $8.
If you want to see more pics from other testers you can find those in Judy's Facebook group!

Details
Size: S
Fabric: Black suiting from Joann's, scrap cotton / lyrica for waistband 
Notions: 1" elastic
Price: 12.99/yard - on sale 50% off at 1.5 yards = $9.25ish, elastic: $1. Thread $.50 Total price = $10.75
Alterations: None 

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