February 2021 – Broad in the seams

February 23, 2021February 23, 2021

Wasabi Tarlee T-Shirt

I’m always thinking a lot about my wardrobe, and it struck me that although I had 2 chartreuse dresses that I loved a lot, I didn’t have any separates in that shade- so I present my Wasabi-coloured Tarlee T-Shirt!

I did a deep-dive into my stash and pulled out this lightweight-bamboo knit from MaaiDesign in Australia. I bought this wasabi bamboo from there maybe 3+ years ago, and it’s been sitting, waiting for the perfect t-shirt pattern (and for my knit neckline proficiency to improve)!

This exact shade isn’t in stock any longer, and the bamboo that I’ve ordered from MaaiDesign since then is much heftier than this lovely, slinky, but also rather clingy fabric.

Size and pattern details: My current measurements are 48″ bust, 57″ high hip and 54″ low hip. I made a Size E Tarlee T-Shirt at the shoulders, grading out to a Size G by the hip (which is exactly what the size chart would recommend). I lengthened the sleeve an inch, or so, but might go back and removed what I added. I also graded out the sleeve- starting at Size E at the sleeve head, and grading up to a Size F by the time it hits my bicep- this wasn’t strictly necessary, but I like the extra room.

Fabric Consumption: I ordered 2 metres of this fabric all those years ago, and had enough fabric for this tee, even though I cut one of the sleeves 3 times to try and match what might have been an imperceptable right-and-wrong side… Since I was using my serger to construct this (including serging the neckband on!?!) I didn’t really want to get it attached and then decide that I could definitely spot the different weaves.

I wore this exact ensemble to my local coffee shop this morning, and the server commented on how she loved my bright combination. It is brighter than my usual go-to combos, but it’s also supposed to be 30C (86F) here today- so I suppose you could say that I’m dressing for summer!

February 21, 2021February 23, 2021

Sunday Plus-Size Pattern Roundup #40

This week, there’s a slight scrap-busting theme to the weekly roundup, and I’ve also included some additional links to zero-waste sewing patterns (including some that specifically include plus-size bodies).

Number 1, Sitka Sweatshirt

The Sitka Sweatshirt from Hey June Handmade is available up to a 61″ hip

Number 2, Zero-Waste Ursa Dress

The Zero-Waste Ursa Dress from The Craft of Clothes, which is available up to 58″ hip

Check out this great blog post on the Sewcialists blog!

And the full range of their zero-waste sewing patterns can be found here.

Number 3, Verano Tank

The Verano Tank from Christine Haynes is available up to a 58″ hip

Number 4, The Top

The Top from Merchant & Mills is available up to a 57.5″ hip

Extra zero-waste resources

The Sewcialists are talking a lot about zero-waste right now, and there are some great resources and op-eds over on their blog.

Elbe Textiles has the zero-waste Maynard Dress, which comes with a sewing pattern and which is available up to a 50.5″ hip

She also has free instructions for a zero-waste outer jacket, which I adapted for my size and shared on the blog here

Make/Use has a variety of free zero-waste sewing patterns.

Criswood Sews makes a collection of instructions for making zero-waste clothing which you customise based on your own measurements

Birgitta Helmersson has zero-waste sewing patterns many of which are ‘one size’

Sew Obsessed has free instructions for a zero-waste shirt pattern which you customise for your own measurements.

Anna Maria Horner has free instructions for a zero-waste tunic which you customise based on your own measurements.

Empty Hanger Patterns has free instructions for a zero-waste skirt, The Australia Skirt which goes up to a 58″ hip

This Zero-waste Dress from Offset Warehouse comes with instructions, which you customise based on your own measurements.

Want more plus-size sewing patterns?

You can check out the posts that are part of the Plus-Size Pattern Roundup series and all the patterns from previous roundups which are available over a 60″ hip.

February 14, 2021February 19, 2021

Sunday Plus-Size Pattern Roundup #39

This week, the roundup includes a new-to-me pattern company, and a recent pattern update from Grainline Studios!
I now organise the weekly plus-size pattern roundup by the the largest top size by hip.

Number 1, Bree Flutter Sleeve Top

The Bree Flutter Sleeve Top from Trish Newbery is from a new extended size range and is available up to a 67.5″(171cm) bust and 71.5″(182cm) hip

Number 2, Saybrook Tank

The Saybrook Tank from Cashmerette is available up to a 62″ (157cm) bust and 62″ (157cm) hip

Number 3, Scout Tee

The Scout Tee from Grainline Studios has now been released in extended sizing up to a 56″ (142.2cm) bust and 59″ (149.8cm) hip

Number 4, Jenny Skirt

The Jenny Skirt from Homer and Howells is available up to a 52″ (132cm) hip

You can check out the posts that are part of the Plus-Size Pattern Roundup series and all the patterns from previous roundups which are available over a 60″ hip.

February 13, 2021February 13, 2021

Pink Pants Club Glebe Pants

I’ve had this linen sitting in my stash with the intention of making some summery Glebe Pants since last year (I know it’s only February, but still)! I finally made View B of the Glebe Pants and I couldn’t be happier with the results!

I’m wearing my summery pink pants with one of my long-sleeve Tarlee T-Shirts that I made during the pattern production process. It’s a size larger than I ended up making, and so is a slightly more relaxed fit than my final version.

Fabric Consumption: The Glebe Pants are a quick 1/2 day project for me, now that I have the steps memorized. In this early version of the pattern, Leila included notches which indicate the seam-allownace, which means that you generally don’t need to check the instructions as the fabric tells you what to do! I used 2metres of 150cm wide linen for these pants!