Seamwork Manila leggings and yoga with the dog.....

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Warning: The photos in this post were taken by my 7 year old and the dog decided it would be fun to join in!!

    Thank heaven for sewing blogs! I was becoming a little downhearted until I read two experienced sewing blogs.......

  I was so excited about the Seamwork Manila leggings The tulip cuff just looked so cute and different, I thought that they would be perfect for doing yoga in. I ordered a beautiful grey cotton Jersey from Myfabrics and spent more on it than I normally would given I had never made the pattern before. I must have got a little confused when looking at all of the fabrics as when it arrived I realized it was 100% cotton and had no Lycra in it. It still just about stretched to the right amount when I measured it against the guide that came with the pattern so I went ahead and made them anyway. The instructions were clear and easy to follow (I still struggled with the cuffs like I did with the seamwork oslo but I think this is my issue rather than anything to do with the pattern). I contrast lined the cuffs with a fabric from an old t-shirt. I also managed to fix my overlocker and it didn't break again until the very last stitch!
    However I was totally dismayed to discover that they finished mid calf rather than ankle length - and couldn't for the life of me work out why! I knew I had followed the pattern, I knew I had printed it out correctly - what had gone wrong?

Another issue was that I had tried a trick I read about on another blog and replaced only one of my overlocker spools - In my excitement to get going I foolishly didn't check that I had replaced the right one, and because the 'ankle' is now mid calf there is a great deal of stretch and my mistake is very obvious.

I do love the tulip cuff so much and would love to make a functional version of these.

After this disaster I really did wonder if perhaps sewing just wasn't my thing! But then I read about Scruffy Badgers Floral leggings and the lack of stretch in her fabric meant that they were much shorter - perhaps this was also the issue with my leggings???? Any comments on where I have gone wrong are gratefully received! I have worn them for some yoga work outs and they do not have quite enough stretch, comfie enough for around the house - but perhaps better suited to warmer days when my ankles won't get so cold!! I love the pattern enough to give them another go - this time using the correct (and probably less expensive) fabric!

  In the only other clothing item I have made this year (Seamwork Oslo) I also didn't like the result and although I have worn it around the house I can't quite bring myself to wear it out anywhere. I recently read this blog by 110 creations Beth has used a similar fabric to me and has had similar issues!! - I was so relieved that my 2015 sewing disasters may not all be down to me but rather my fabric choices!

   I have bought a few patterns in the Simplicity New Look sale and have plans for a denim shift type dress, as well as trying to make a few tops I could wear for work.

  I have also enrolled in a sewing evening class and am making a pair of colette clover trousers - or as they say stateside 'pants'. I bought the pattern and fabric last summer and was never brave enough to tackle them on my own!

One out take (there were many!) My 'downward dog' with dog in situ!

  Thanks for reading!

              Su xx