So yesterday I mentioned I would need some black tights to see me through winter… well I made some, tout de suite. Nothing like striking while the iron is hot!
I used some lovely fine-knit black merino wool fabric, bought from the Fabric Store in Melbourne during our last visit, and my own self-drafted pattern. Yah, nothing else to say about these really. There’s no doubt I will wear them tonnes and tonnes. I’m making a promise to myself that I will still wear my more colourful and interesting tights at least as frequently.
I also made a new striped Tshirt too; since my old navy and white striped Tshirt has been worn so much it’s had it and is now my PJ top. I decided that a striped Tshirt, like the black tights, is another “need” for my wardrobe. A must-have. I know I know *cringe* must-have lists are a dime a dozen and sometimes appear to encompass everything under the sun: but I believe it takes time and trial and error to work out what really constitutes a must-have for an individual. I think that these two pieces are both must-haves in the wardrobe, for me 🙂
I used my custom fit Tshirt pattern, (the pattern that used to be Burdastyle magazine 06/2011, 120, altered completely beyond recognition), and a white and grey striped cotton jersey from Fabulous Fabrics. I stabilised the shoulder seams with Seams Great, many thanks to velosewer for this :). The raw edges of the sleeve and lower are overlocked, then folded under once and stitched with a twin needle, taking care to have the stitching inside and out appearing within the white stripe.
For the neckband; instead of a vertical or bias striped band, this time I decided I wanted the clean look of a plain white band. So carefully cut the strip and folded and basted it so the band is the exact width of the white stripe. The thinner grey stripe appears just inside the fold.
I attached the neckband using this method, and topstitched the seam allowance down to the body of the garment afterwards.
min 9C, max 20C, sun, cloud and a smidge of rain today!
in my family’s mmm13 today; Sam is wearing this hoodie, and Cassie is wearing these handknit socks.
Sam’s hoodie; self-drafted, blue/grey cotton jersey, details here
Cassie’s socks; handknit by me to a 60’s pattern, 2ply wool, details here
Is your daughter a ballet dancer? Great foot pose! Love the boatneck. That neckline finish is my fave.
thank you! yes she was, once upon a time 🙂
Love your t-shirt and tights. Thanks for the link to finishing of knit edges. I have tried a few ways over the years and it can sometimes be hit and miss. I will try your way on my next garment.
More tights! I'm still in awe. Obviously I had missed your long-ago post about how you drafted the pattern. When you say you make all your own clothes, you really do mean it.
Oh yes, everyone needs a striped t-shirt in their wardrobe. Your version looks fantastic, and I do love the neckline on it. I'm sure both pieces will be worn a lot.
Love that skirt. Sadly it's another pattern from my pre-Burda buying days
I'm are, I think there isn't anything you cannot do girl.. My inspiration.. One day I want to be able to sew everything
Carolyn, I so enjoy following your MMM – amazingly done, as always! I have a question regarding me-made tights: does the foot seam ever disturb you/rub inside your shoes? Do you have any recommendations to minimize it? Thank you!
Thank you! and honestly no, the foot seam has never bothered me. I worried that it would, but my fears were unfounded 🙂 I drafted the seam to sit on the inside leg seam, and continue along the inside of my foot (not under my foot), and allowed enough fabric to accommodate the curve of my heel. When I put on the tights I arrange the seam to sit just so in the right spot, so that the tights sit straight how they are supposed to. They stay there quite happily all day and don't twist around at all, which is great. If you do plan to draft your own tights pattern, my advice is to spend extra time getting the placement of that foot seam just right, to accommodate your particular foot shape. I think if the seam ran *under* your foot, it might rub and be a nuisance, so along the inside edge like how I have it seems to be a good spot to minimise any problem.
Thank you! I must try this 🙂 !
Carolyn, I so enjoy following your MMM – amazingly done, as always! I have a question regarding me-made tights: does the foot seam ever disturb you/rub inside your shoes? Do you have any recommendations to minimize it? Thank you!
Jeez Tights!!! Is there no end to your talent. Love that skirt too. I look forward to seeing brighter coloured tights. Love coloured tights they always look so cool.
Great outfit, love it 🙂
I would love this outfit, too! The tshirt is perfection, especially the neckline finish (mine look never as well executed as yours)! I'm deeply impressed that you even make your own tights – this is something which is easy to buy and without any fit problems, so I never thought about making them so far. Although, the more I think about it… I might try it one day, referring to your tutorial, when I need tights in a colour that is not available in the stores!
You're right, these two items are definite 'must have's' in the wardrobe. I love the neckline finish you used on the t-shirt 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
The tee is perfect for you and I love the finishing details. Everyone needs a striped shirt.
And, since we are both obsessing about tights, I am going to follow your lead, and make some footless ones AKA leggings with slouch. Your post reminded me I have some pale turquoise knit which looks good for pjs but I hate wearing knit in bed. So, footless tights it is. Thanks for the inspiration!
Another classy outfit! Your tights are on my to do list but seeing that summer is coming here it will probably get put off again. Also the only 4 way stretch knit I have is a large white and brown stripe which might not make the most practical of tights…
I need a striped top, that is great and I like the white neckband idea – plan to steal 🙂
Reading about your paprika tights the other day set me to thinking. Well, also having bought a book about being environmentally friendly (Shades of Green by Paul Waddington) for £1 at a charity shop in Tavistock, Devon. I'm not a major environmentalist but I have found that many 'green' choices are also 'thrifty' choices and we tend to pursue some of those ideas. This book ascribed varying shades of green to different fabrics and one of the ideas I'd not yet met was that polyester mixes don't biodegrade as well as natural fabrics. Hopefully not much in the way of textiles get to landfill, but it set me to thinking. I value silk and wool clothing for the warmth and cotton and linen for keeping cool (when I'm lucky enough to have that problem). This book mentioned bamboo and hemp fabrics, too. I'm not sure I've encountered either of those. Have you ever considered narrowing your sewing choices to natural fabrics? I know you re-make items and wear yours to death and I don't have a view about this other than I've always imagined it would be one of the big advantages of being able to sew: not just being able to choose fit and colour but also the fabric content. Do you have any views about this?
Well; I definitely do prefer natural fabrics, and I recycle fabric as much as I possibly can, and I buy fabric from my local stores as much as I can, and I think my wardrobe shows all of those things. With regard to the fabric content of my paprika tights; well, if merino wool for tights came in a rainbow of colours, in my local shop, then I would be a very contented seamster indeed, but I am limited to what I find in the shops here, and I can only do the best I can with the fabrics that are available to me!
I will say, polyester might get a bad rap, but is a very hard-wearing fabric, and definitely has its place in the world of practical fashion. Nearly all swimwear is made from man-made fibres, because they hold up so well to both the roughness of the surf and the chlorinated swimming pool. Most sock yarns will have a small polyester content, as it makes for much longer lasting socks. If you've ever spent 20 odd hours knitting your own socks, you start to see the value in this.
Good points, particularly about the longer life of polyester items. I'd not thought of that. And thank heavens we don't all have to wear woolen swimsuits anymore! Those must have been cause for some riotous laughter / painful embarrassment.
You have the most impressive, boundless closet! I will have to convince my daughter to let me make her custom-fit tights come fall. Thanks for sharing Carolyn.
Love this continental look…Ooh la la!
I love that skirt! I remember the pattern as is being incredibly short, did you add? I love the pockets, I will checkout your other blog post as I am sure that you thoroughly documented your process which is such a blessing to those of us playing along at home.
So glad to see that Seams Great has helped again. Having a clean white neck band keep your top look professional.
Lovely look too!
Once again I am in awe. Tights. Brilliant. Man the next thing you will be moonlighting as a cobbler for a really totally me-made-look 😉 Thank you for the inspiration.
Great outfit. Love that skirt in particular.
I love me a striped top. And I especially love that you have enough self-mades for your family to help participate in me made May!
Those are some great basics! I can see why you would wear these a ton.
I am SO impressed by your making your own tights. Do they hold their shape well throughout the day?
I've found the polyester tights are longer lasting and hold their shape better than the merino wool tights; but I just love the feel of merino!
Wow, love the tights! And it is so good to see the handknit socks over your last couple of posts!
If I ever get skinny, can I please have your wardrobe?!
Ummm….can I stand in line in front of twotoast? (no worries; I'll never be as tall a you, let alone as thin lol!) And I agree that a stripey T is a must-have! I have the striped fabric…..
This is a classy outfit and now off to check out both your links for the skirt and the tights!
You know what's funny, a few months ago I decided that I desperately need a long sleeve black and white striped top. I've had the fabric for months too. My to-do list is too long…
The knitted socks are wonderful!
And maybe I should make a pair of my own tights. Those drugstore pantyhose just aren't super comfortable. Thanks for the inspiration!
That outfit looks lovely on you. I like the stripes. 🙂
And can I say that I'm super impressed that you make your own tights? And in a merino knit! 🙂 Jealous.
I love the striped top and the black one as well. I just want to hire you to make all of my clothes and create my wardrobe!