Gym wear... Lekala top and Anima shorts

Seriously I think I need an intervention... cant. stop. making. gym. clothes.... 

I decided this week I needed another gym top and shorts... I can't keep up with having clean gym clothes in this hot weather.  I also thought it might be good to have a gym shirt more covered in the shoulders as the weather starts cooling off.  So I decided to try a pattern a few have recommended on Pattern Review - Lekala 4273 - Sports Vest .  I put in my measurements and received my pattern and I have to say I am impressed with the fit.

I used supplex for the purple panel, sports mesh for the shoulder yokes and side panels and tactel nylon lycra for the back.  I got the mesh and the tactel from Joelles ebay store.  I saw mesh used like this on a friend's top at the gym through the week and thought it would work well and (hopefully) look RTW. 

Shown large so you can you see the mesh in the shoulder yoke panels.

The only alteration was to lengthen the top by 1cm.  I would lengthen it a bit more next time I make it and perhaps curve the hem to  make it look a bit more current like Blooms has done on some of her gym tops. 

I thought about making the armhole deeper as I am used to them that way on my gym tops but tried it as it was and found it wasn't uncomfortable.

I was very impressed with the fit, particularly around my shoulders and upper back.  Giving the bust and under bust measurement must make this a better fit I think.

I also made another pair of shorts.  My gym of choice is a crossfit box and I have been going for half a year now.  The pics above show my new top paired with my Jalie shorts which I love, but they are made of supplex and I find they are pilling on the bottom as the floor is quite rough on them.  So I decided to try a fabric with a harder finish and found this black fabric which is a nylon lycra blend but called Tactel.  It seems tougher... it was hard to get a pin through the fabric and I think it blunted my sewing machine needle going by the skipped stitches in my next garment.  So I shall see how it wears.  I decided to use the opportunity to trial a new pattern - the Papercut Anima Pants.  

I was pretty happy with how the pattern went together.  I made them as per the pattern.  The only changes I might make next time is leave off the faux fly (to make the front crotch easier to adjust) and to maybe add some width to the inner thigh area.  Overall I like this pattern and want to make the long version for comfy pants.  The photo is the shorts flat.  I don't think this fabric photographs well so probably won't be bothering to get a photo on me, but I will be using these a lot for gym and am interested to see how they wear. 

So, do I need an intervention?  Ciao kittens...

Knitting, knitting...

I have been knitting when I am not sewing and have finished a few different projects.  This is the one I am most proud of, as it is probably 30+ years since I have made a project of this magnitude... knitting wise.

The Miriam cardigan made in Classic 5 ply from Bendigo Mills.  Photos are below, but if you want more detail please visit Ravelry - here.

The other recently finished knitting project is a scarf as a gift for my DMIL who is not very well at the moment.

Pics here but more detail, here http://www.ravelry.com/projects/quiltsewsewsue/strangling-vine-lace-scarf for any knitters needing to know more.

before blocking...

and after...

Keep on crafting... another Lekala top to come... Ciao! 

Lekala 4042.. # 2 and 3

I outlined in my last post the sad tale of my first Lekala muslin, since then the success rate has been much higher.  I have finished muslin #2 and made the first real top (in more expensive merino wool jersey) .  Not many more words, pics now of successful tops (I think)...

Musk pink merino ... styled to go out shopping...

 

The top without the extras...

more pics.... IRL the bra does not show this way.... it seems to be the flash making it show...

Now the second muslin - in a gorgeous rayon.... I have to wear it with a merino under-layer to survive the cold so excuse the wrinkles & bumps... (well the muffin top probably can't be explained away...)

I love this pattern and have a third one lined up in a fab electric blue merino (for those not in Australia or NZ, merino is a wool jersey which is gorgeous and soft and if you have access to it, buy it!)

Next post is a waste not, want not... Ciao kittens!

Misc. sewing... trunks, pet blankets & a muslin

I have been doing a bit of practical sewing lately.  Nothing flash, but all needed. 

First up I have made one pair of men's trunks from Jalie 2327.  DH is going to trial these to make sure he likes them before I make anymore.  This pattern is discontinued now - I don't know why as it gets great reviews.  I found some elastic with stripes on it in a grey/black by chance at a closing down sale.  The blue fabric is tee shirt leftovers.

Next up more left-over fabrics, pretty lace elastic and fold over elastic made up this cream set for me.  Another Jalie pattern - 2564.  I have made this before and love how it uses up left-over bits and pieces.  The striped pair are cream on the back and have foe for the elastic.  This is another discontinued but highly recommended pattern.

Another pattern I have made before - Tanga pants.  I made the x-small this time, as I thought the  small was on the large size last time I made them, but now that I have made these and trialed them, I am thinking small is the right size for me.  I think this lace elastic may not be as soft as the last lot I used.  Thank goodness for stretch I can and will still use these, but think I will go back to small next time.  

I am trying to clean out some clutter and this polar fleece was never going to be used as the piece was probably too small for most things.  So I have cut it up and hemmed it into 4 small blankets.  One has been given to my cat, and the other three are going to the RSPCA.

... and last but not least, I have made a muslin of a Lekala top - 4042.  This is actually the second muslin.  The first one I used a fabric from Fabric.com.  First up I put the yoke piece in the wrong way and didn't work it out until I had sewn the whole top!  Why I didn't realise when none of the pieces matched properly I don't know?!  Anyway I unpicked the yoke pieces and  put them back in.  The top was on the smug side but not too bad.  Then I washed it and it shrunk (I had pre-washed too) and to top if off it developed a hole!  Unpicking rayon always leads to disaster!  That one is in the bin now which is a shame as the colour was really pretty.  

This is the second muslin.  A lovely rayon from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I think this one might have more stretch in it.  I found it so much easier to sew now that I sewed the yokes the right way!!  I sewed the side seams a little narrower to give me a little more ease and viola!  

Not hemmed as yet as I have run out of Steam-a-Seam, but I wanted to show you the end result.  

The collar is a little floppy but this fabric is very soft and I think it can work with a slight roll-over.  Now that I have this pattern sorted I plan to make a pile of these as I really need some higher necked tops with long sleeves.  I have some real pretty merino jerseys I plan to make it up in as well as a glitter fabric for after-five wear!  Can you have too many of a good top??

BTW the instructions and pattern are pretty good but it does not mention when to sew the centre front seam.  I have sewn it after the collar both times so far, but am wondering if it may be better sewn before the collar.  If  anyone else has made this top please let me know what you think about when to sew the CF seam.

ETA - I have contacted Lekala patterns and asked this question - they replied really quickly - sew CF seam first, then move onto the rest of the instructions.  They also said they would correct that on their patterns - very impressed with the customer service!

Ciao!