Sewing Night, Jan 20th (this Friday) - Topics: Harem Pants and Tops!
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Shanna Bocchino
Jan 16, 2012, 3:32:43 PM1/16/12
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Hi everyone,
I am sending out a separate e-mail for this, because there are a few things I want to mention before Friday. Mainly, suggestions on what you need to buy/bring, and links to free patterns on the web. Scroll down to the bottom for the quick and dirty list. Lisa wanted to talk about making tops, but I wasn't sure what she wanted to cover, so I'll let her provide the info on that. So this e-mail will be about the harem pants only.
First, the pattern can be found here: http://blackswantribe.com.au/pantaloons.html
This is a pretty easy, straightforward pattern. I will be walking through the process during our sewing night, but it would be a good idea to read through beforehand, so that what I'm talking about isn't total gibberish. I will also print copies of those instructions out to hand out. This website has a few other patterns as well (http://www.blackswantribe.com.au/Bits_And_Pieces.html) which are presented in as simple of wording as I can think of, so it's a good resource.
If you want to actually do some sewing on Friday, you will need to bring some fabric! The type of fabric you buy depends on your preferences, as well as the season. If you want something versatile that you can wear in summer or winter, cotton is the best choice. It is also the easiest thing to sew, so beginners will probably want to start here! You can check the quilting section for lots of colors/prints, which are usually relatively cheap and are on sale often. Check the batik section for lots of pretty cotton prints. Rayon is also good, it's breathable, but may be a little colder in the winter--it's also very drapy and pretty. You can find this in the apparel section. Most rayon is printed rather than solid, and they often have ethnic type prints that work well with our costuming. It's a bit harder to sew, since it is so drapy it likes to squirm around. Not too bad if you have some experience sewing. Other options are brocade/sari fabric (Joann carries the sari material, it's in the special occasion section) which is pretty, but it's mostly made of polyester so it will get hot. Not bad for winter months, but pretty awful in the summer. But if you like the way it looks and you can deal with the heat, go ahead and get it. Keep in mind that this is going to be more difficult to sew! Since this is going to be many of you guys' first sewing project, I recommend finding something fairly cheap and easy to sew to begin with (cotton).
People on a budget: go to the back of Joann's and look through the red tag fabric! I got some pretty teal lightweight cotton with gold lurex stripes for like $4 a yard. If they put that stuff on sale you can get it even cheaper. Hancock's also has a value fabric section in the back of the apparel section. These sections are almost always disorganized and there's a lot of really ugly fabric there, but sometimes you can find something really awesome for cheap. Another option someone mentioned is that it is possible the make these pants out of a bedsheet. A Standard twin bedsheet is about 2.6 yds x 66 inches. Queen is 2.8 yds by 90". They won't be incredibly full, but this is a good, cheap option! Try thrift stores for those (but make sure you wash them first).
You can vary the amount of material you use, but you will need at least 2 yards. I recommend 2.5 to 3.5 yards, or even 4 if you like them really poofy. If you are slim and on a budget, 2 is probably fine. If you are tall/long legged, you will probably want to get fabric that is 54"-60" wide. By the time you add a waistband and hem, you may end up wishing you had more than 45" which is the standard apparel width. If you look at the top of the bolt of fabric, it should list the width. Shorties: 45" is fine for you (you will probably end up cutting some off). Probably for most people 45" is fine, but if in doubt, go wider: it's easier to cut some off than to add fabric! That being said, if you are tall and find some fabric you absolutely love that is only 45", go ahead and get it, because you can always add a separate waistband in a coordinating color if it ends up being too short for you. You can just get broadcloth or quilting cotton for that (1/4 yard should be enough). Check the remnants bin for those low yardage cuts! More on that Friday.
Alright so here's what you need to bring to class if you want to sew:
Fabric (2 to 4 yards) -- cotton recommended for beginners!
Elastic -- 1" to 1.5" for the waistband (enough to go around your waist comfortably), 1/2" for legs (probably only need 1 pkg). Get Non-Roll elastic (knit or braided is fine)!
A spool of thread to match your fabric (get the medium sized spool)
Equipment to bring if you have it (Ladies who have any extra of these items, please bring them so we can share):
Measuring tape (a string and a yardstick will work in a pinch)
Fabric scissors if you have any. I have a couple pairs I can bring.
Fabric marking pens or chalk.
Safety pins to thread the elastic through the waistband. I will bring extra.
A sewing machine if you have one. The more the merrier! I have two I can bring, and you guys should be able to take turns if there are several.
I hope to see lots of you guys on Friday. I really doubt we will get these pants finished this week, but it should be enough to get you started. If you are really new to sewing, it might be better to start you off on basic sewing techniques, then later on get you involved in actually making the pants. Let me know if you have any questions prior to Friday!
-Shanna
First, the pattern can be found here: http://blackswantribe.com.au/pantaloons.html
This is a pretty easy, straightforward pattern. I will be walking through the process during our sewing night, but it would be a good idea to read through beforehand, so that what I'm talking about isn't total gibberish. I will also print copies of those instructions out to hand out. This website has a few other patterns as well (http://www.blackswantribe.com.au/Bits_And_Pieces.html) which are presented in as simple of wording as I can think of, so it's a good resource.
If you want to actually do some sewing on Friday, you will need to bring some fabric! The type of fabric you buy depends on your preferences, as well as the season. If you want something versatile that you can wear in summer or winter, cotton is the best choice. It is also the easiest thing to sew, so beginners will probably want to start here! You can check the quilting section for lots of colors/prints, which are usually relatively cheap and are on sale often. Check the batik section for lots of pretty cotton prints. Rayon is also good, it's breathable, but may be a little colder in the winter--it's also very drapy and pretty. You can find this in the apparel section. Most rayon is printed rather than solid, and they often have ethnic type prints that work well with our costuming. It's a bit harder to sew, since it is so drapy it likes to squirm around. Not too bad if you have some experience sewing. Other options are brocade/sari fabric (Joann carries the sari material, it's in the special occasion section) which is pretty, but it's mostly made of polyester so it will get hot. Not bad for winter months, but pretty awful in the summer. But if you like the way it looks and you can deal with the heat, go ahead and get it. Keep in mind that this is going to be more difficult to sew! Since this is going to be many of you guys' first sewing project, I recommend finding something fairly cheap and easy to sew to begin with (cotton).
People on a budget: go to the back of Joann's and look through the red tag fabric! I got some pretty teal lightweight cotton with gold lurex stripes for like $4 a yard. If they put that stuff on sale you can get it even cheaper. Hancock's also has a value fabric section in the back of the apparel section. These sections are almost always disorganized and there's a lot of really ugly fabric there, but sometimes you can find something really awesome for cheap. Another option someone mentioned is that it is possible the make these pants out of a bedsheet. A Standard twin bedsheet is about 2.6 yds x 66 inches. Queen is 2.8 yds by 90". They won't be incredibly full, but this is a good, cheap option! Try thrift stores for those (but make sure you wash them first).
You can vary the amount of material you use, but you will need at least 2 yards. I recommend 2.5 to 3.5 yards, or even 4 if you like them really poofy. If you are slim and on a budget, 2 is probably fine. If you are tall/long legged, you will probably want to get fabric that is 54"-60" wide. By the time you add a waistband and hem, you may end up wishing you had more than 45" which is the standard apparel width. If you look at the top of the bolt of fabric, it should list the width. Shorties: 45" is fine for you (you will probably end up cutting some off). Probably for most people 45" is fine, but if in doubt, go wider: it's easier to cut some off than to add fabric! That being said, if you are tall and find some fabric you absolutely love that is only 45", go ahead and get it, because you can always add a separate waistband in a coordinating color if it ends up being too short for you. You can just get broadcloth or quilting cotton for that (1/4 yard should be enough). Check the remnants bin for those low yardage cuts! More on that Friday.
Alright so here's what you need to bring to class if you want to sew:
Fabric (2 to 4 yards) -- cotton recommended for beginners!
Elastic -- 1" to 1.5" for the waistband (enough to go around your waist comfortably), 1/2" for legs (probably only need 1 pkg). Get Non-Roll elastic (knit or braided is fine)!
A spool of thread to match your fabric (get the medium sized spool)
Equipment to bring if you have it (Ladies who have any extra of these items, please bring them so we can share):
Measuring tape (a string and a yardstick will work in a pinch)
Fabric scissors if you have any. I have a couple pairs I can bring.
Fabric marking pens or chalk.
Safety pins to thread the elastic through the waistband. I will bring extra.
A sewing machine if you have one. The more the merrier! I have two I can bring, and you guys should be able to take turns if there are several.
I hope to see lots of you guys on Friday. I really doubt we will get these pants finished this week, but it should be enough to get you started. If you are really new to sewing, it might be better to start you off on basic sewing techniques, then later on get you involved in actually making the pants. Let me know if you have any questions prior to Friday!
-Shanna
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