T-Shirt Quilt: How To (more or less)

I probably should have posted  before Christmas but oh well, too late.

DH was in a service fraternity (not 'Animal House' type, this was full of pre-meds and their crush events were service type things like painting fences and washing fire engines). Part of being in a fraternity (or any organization at our alma mater) is that you get a LOT of T-shirts. I think this used ~56 and he still had several left over (he was active for the three and a half years of undergrad* plus around a year as grad adviser).

"Brookies"

More or less adapted from Bakerella

Every so often (usually around the time I have finals or something similar) I get the urge to bake so I’ll send DH to the store with a short and very unhealthy shopping list. This was one of those times. DH doesn’t complain.

The Katniss Sort-of Oxford (Wearing History's Smooth Sailing Top)

This shirt is more or less finished. The only thing left would be the buttons- and if I ever decide to properly finish the collar.

Over the summer I made one casual top and one nicer top that I'm not happy with at all- both out of DH's old shirts. Both were based around Collete Pattern's Sorbetto but one was a blousy V neck, short sleeve thing (it was an instance of the material not matching the pattern) and the other was a cute beachy tank with draw stringwaist (I actually think I'm supposed to be making my mom a version). Neither was fitted and I have a tendancy to look a bit pregnant in non-fitted tops*  So I embarked on making a fitted top.

Herb Bread

I had been trying to make bread for a couple days but there was a bit of a comedy of errors. First, I discovered we did not have eggs or milk (after I started proofing the last packet of active rise yeast). Then I couldn't find a recipe at the time that did not use either. Finally, I found a recipe that omitted the two but required several different types of flour and was just too much work. So I winged a recipe using rapid rise (accidentally purchased a couple months ago).

Surprisingly, it turned out pretty well.

This is the Herb de Provence variety

Miss Frizzle Costume: Planning

(The shirt I've been working on for the last two-three weeks is just waiting for a hem and button holes, I just keep putting it off. I should finish it tomorrow... maybe)

For another day at ComicCon I wanted something a bit more... out there. And what's more out there then everyone's favorite magic schoolbus-driving teacher? A lot of things, but this is as out there as I want to go. I may be putting this off for Halloween in favor of Fairy Godmother- depends on if I can find a shirt for Kaylee and how intensive of a design I choose for this.

 

Did you know they have whole episodes on youtube? I'm reliving my childhood.

Unlike Kaylee, the Frizz doesn't exactly have a set costume. In fact it can vary wildly in each book/episode or even scene to scene! So my first step was to figure out which one I wanted to attempt. It seems like most people do the space dress, so I'd like to do something different. These were my favorites (so far, of course, subject to change):

The red unidentifiable things look they have the Earth point of origin symbol on them, don't they? Kind of makes it my favorite

I'm not even sure she wore this dress in an actual episode,
someone grabbed this screenshot from the intro- where it changes designs a couple times

Green cowboy boots!

I already found a wig: 

Arda Wigs- Glinda

So I just need to make the outfit (including shoes) and find a Liz. Apparently the stuffed Liz creatures put out a couple years ago are now going for $50-90 and I'm not spending that on a stuffed animal Olive will likely try to destroy. I may just find a Beanie Baby that vaguely looks like it (they still make those, right?) or do what L* did for our last convention and make the thing (she made a 2-3 ft bright pink rabbit that poked me in the ear constantly as we walked, her dog later destroyed it. She made me a mini to take with me to college. It has a lavender sachet in it and is currently keeping my wedding dresses smelling nice, I know it's best practice but I'm not terribly concerned with the continued condition of them so, oh well.)

I ordered this pattern with a gift card I got from BIL for Christmas (along with good fabric shears, thread nippers, and new marking pens)

Not a perfect match but I'm going to Frankenstein the bodice a bit anyway, so I'll be combining it with McCall M6124 I have in my stash already.

*L, being the really awesome art major that she is, made DH and I really awesome mugs- she also made the little Kaylee I use as my profile pic as part of a high school graduation/you're-moving-to-Texas-and-leaving-us gift. Who can figure out the two 'verses?

70’s Zoot Suit Pants (Wearing History's Smoth Sailing Trousers)

Using Wearing History’s Smooth Sailing Pattern (working on the top currently)

I know the name makes no sense but that's the best I can come up with right now.

I had surprisingly little alterations to do with this pattern. The directions are clear and the only fiddling I had was with the waist band. I’m contemplating making a pajama version even, they are just so comfortable. Also, I accidentally put the zipper on the wrong side, oh well.

But I still had problems:

1. I hand stitched it (did this spring before graduation so no machine yet)
2. My 1^st version was out of broadcloth (why????) so it was completely see through.
3. My 2^nd version was out of a weird herringbone (knit?) with fantastic drape came out large enough that DH could squeeze into them in a very unbecoming fashion

I want to find a pair of schooling breeches in this pattern/color- would look nice with my current boot/ half-chap combo.*
Fabric can be purchased from DenverFabrics here**

I eventually took in my 2^nd version so my only complaint now is that they drape so much that they lost the lovely tailored look and look more like zoot suit pants. I’ve lost a bit of weight since I first made them so at least the toosh isn’t quite so tight.

Don't ask what my feet are doing... I really don't know. Pretend it's to show off the cuff.

I then remade the pattern in blue gab for a Fourth of July dance. I hate, hate, HATE the hem- so incredibly messy. Eventually I'm going back and adding a large cuff to hide all that mess. But that's for a costuming entry. I have grand-ish-sort of plans for it- but I might throw it out for the Fairy Godmother costume (sic 'em glitter wand!)

Things I love about this pattern:
- The hip-waist ratio is near perfect for me
- The instructions are nice and clear (I think someone with basic garment construction experience would be fine, this was my first pair of pants)
- The crotch is "vintage" without being a diaper look
- Plenty of toosh room without being excessive
- Fits just at the right spot I don't need to do a swayback adjustment
- I love the front releases, I just love them
- The hem swishes in a fun way while dancing, it's just the right size without going into bellbottom territory

Other Thoughts:
- You may need access to a search engine or sewing text at times. Not having trouser sewing experience had me pondering a term once or twice, but this still wasn't bad (for those who don't like to look things up, Colette Patterns have a glossary in the back of their pattern pamphlets if memory serves and they came out with a trouser pattern recently)
- The pattern is sized in length for someone of average height. I took off 6" or so and am in 2" heels, but I'm also 5'-5'1" depending on the day.
- I really want to try these in a nice suit weight grey wool or wool-blend.
- I tried interfacing and not interfacing the waistband, I think I prefer not

* I'm riding again- well I am trying out two different instructors next week. Slowly putting together riding/athletic gear, I don't know how I made it through BUGWB, nothing fits properly.
**I am merely providing the link here for reference. I recommend neither for or against purchasing fabric from them. I haven't found a favorite fabric source.