Tag Archives: Burda 7863

Black high-waist straight-leg jeans

23/06/2010 4:10 am \ 15 Comments \ Carolyn

I’ve made some new jeans!
After being inspired by some of the beautiful examples of other people out there making their own jeans, and the success of my own khaki stretch gabardine jeans I decided to give this a go. These new ones are made from black denim with only a little stretch in them. When I first bought this fabric I thought it had more stretch than it actually did, but now they are finished I’m glad they are not too stretchy, as they are more like real jeans in my opinion. So, even though the pattern envelope says “stretch fabrics only”, I would use this advice as a guide only in fabric selection. Mine turned out alright. I think so, anyway!
I used Burda 7863 again, and the only variation to the pattern I did this time was to add a zip placket, as seen in the photo below, to protect my tender tummy skin from those sharp (and in winter, cold!) zipper teeth. Also, I did originally have pocket flaps over the pockets as per the pattern, but removed these as I thought they looked a little “home-made” and not very trendy. The remaining half of the press stud is still there in the pocket, but I kind of like the look of this. If I get enthusiastic I might even add some sort of embroidered pocket decoration in the future… I also made the belt loops a little wider, to accommodate my black belt, but as the waist is so nice and high and because I went to the effort of fitting the waistband to my waist size, I probably won’t even be wearing a belt with these jeans. The pockets are lined with scraps of leftover patchwork fabric that I had used to line my autumn trench coat, and the topstitching throughout is a single row of long stitch in a deep ruby red; because I had some of this colour leftover from my Rosetta ballgown.
So I’m pretty happy with my new skinny leg jeans! They are a lot warmer than my khaki stretch ones, so will be great for those coooold winter mornings!

Details:
Jeans; Burda 7863, black denim
Top; Metalicus
Cardigan; Country Road
Scarf; Sportsgirl
Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggies in Dunsborough

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burda 7863, Fabulous fabrics, jeans

Except the boots…

21/06/2010 5:27 am \ 5 Comments \ Carolyn

Today my outfit is completely handmade by me!! Doesn’t happen with extreme frequency, especially during winter when jumpers and cardigans are in constant appearance, so feeling pretty pleased with this outfit! And my socks are knitted by me too, although they’re clearly not visible here…! I really like the mix of blues and khaki combination, muted but strong; a colour scheme I really wanted to wear this winter.
Sigh, one of the factors causing me angst at the moment is whether or not to join up to Wardrobe Refashion again. I’ve noticed that it is not going to cost us to join up, which is a good thing. But I keep coming across new Metalicus tops in yummy colours which when I spy them am immediately convinced will fill a gaping hole in my wardrobe… But do I really need new tops? No. Want? Er, well, yes…. (shamefaced) Yesterday I got out a woolen Tshirt from winter last year and it had big holes in it, a victim of silverfish (sad face)… so some new tops should be on my to-get list. And I have a big craving for some Metalicus. It’s like a drug. I must resist.
As well, in the West last weekend Rob Broadfield in his restaurant review penned a particularly scathing (and kinda nasty) comment on a certain type of woman who hails from the western suburbs (which I don’t) and who wears Metalicus (er, guilty). My friend D once described the type as a latte-drinking, western suburbs airhead. I think I’m safe on the latte issue, the western suburbs issue, and the airhead issue. But I am failing on the Metalicus front… And I definitely do NOT want to be lumped into that, or any, category of women. I like to think I have my own style and am different from the herd. (As we all do!) So teetering here, on the whole Wardrobe Refashion issue…
I did some more sewing over the weekend and have some new things to show you, but much better suited to a chillier day than today!
Today’s random picture below; cute droplets of water on my benchtop, must be a “sign”, no?

Details:
Jeans; Burda 7863, khaki stretch gabardine
T-shirt; refashioned from husband’s old T-shirt here
Cardigan; refashioned from husband’s old jumper here
Scarf; refashioned from husband’s old tank here
Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggies in Dunsborough

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burda 7863, cardigan, Fabulous fabrics, jeans, scarf, top, Wardrobe Refashion

Splitting up a suit, 2

14/06/2010 6:07 am \ 8 Comments \ Carolyn

Here finally is the jacket from the suit I made a few years ago (see here and here)… made from free fabric and using Simplicity 4698 … again. Yes, I do re-use patterns a lot, glad you noticed!
We had some very welcome rain last night. Welcome because it’s been so dry lately, and whilst I rejoice in endlessly sunny days with open arms and no complaints we do need the rain so much too… No doubt by the end of winter I will be complaining nonstop about wet weather but for now we are happy. Looking back over my blog I can see it last rained on 21st May… and it is supposed to be winter! Actually it’s been quite handy having this little daily snapshot here to remind me of each day’s doings and yes, the weather too. My gosh, I can hardly believe I’m stooping to talking about the weather, so stiff, but in a fashion blog it is an immediate and relevant factor in one’s apparel choices for that day, so consideration of the weather is quite appropriate so here we go; rain this morning, but fine the rest of the day and not too cold. I’m as warm as toast in this get-up here and happy to have found a way to put on this white elephant of a suit jacket, so all is well… My friend A paid me a compliment on the jacket this morning (without knowing I’d made it, bonus points!) so perhaps it deserves more airings?
Today’s random picture below; seen on my walk this morning

Details:
Jacket; Simplicity 4698, grey and black cotton
Jeans; Burda 7863, khaki stretch gabardine
Jumper; Cue
Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggy’s in Dunsborough

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burda 7863, Fabulous fabrics, jacket, jeans, Simplicity 4698

Hot pink and khaki in the bush…

04/06/2010 10:35 am \ 9 Comments \ Carolyn

I knitted this mossy green scarf about eight years ago. It was a wool kit from Ivy and Maude, composed of an eclectic range of different yarns. Perfect for keeping the neck warm on a winter weekend away at my parent’s house in the country…

Blog innovation alert!… Since my husband, who always sources the best gifts ever!, gave me a new camera (thus this blog…) my interest in photography has increased exponentially. So from now on I’ve decided to put a random picture into my posts of interesting sights that catch my eye that day, to make a hopefully interesting and artistic addition from the ever-present sewing and fashion pictures… hope you enjoy! For today it is a picture of my parent’s and their neighbour’s letterboxes. It tickles me how these rough and rustic boxes are just propped in a haphazard way alongside the road, looking like junk but serving a practical and vital service.

Details:

Scarf; knitted by me, various yarns from Ivy and Maude

Top and cardigan; Metalicus

Jeans; Burda 7863, khaki stretch gabardine

Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggies in Dunsborough

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: accessories, Burda 7863, Calico and Ivy, Fabulous fabrics, jeans, Knitted, scarf

Khaki jeggings

11/05/2010 5:55 am \ 21 Comments \ Carolyn

I’ve submitted my first Pattern Review … er, review. This is for Burda 7863, the slimline pants I’ve just finished for winter. I wanted slimline pants this season so I could wear them tucked into my biker boots, and I’m definitely planning to wear these mostly in this way. However only half the legs are visible when boots are on, so for my review photo I thought I’d better show them in their full length as here. Without further ado, here is my review…

Pattern Description:
Ladies slimline pants in either three quarter or ankle length with fly front, button up waistband, curved inset side pockets, patch back pockets with flap. Waistband sits at natural waistline. For two way stretch fabrics only
Pattern Sizing:
European 36 (US10) to 48 (US22)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I made up the ankle length only but, yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
very easy
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It was a very simple pattern to use. The envelope rates it as average difficulty, I’d say a beginner could easily make these pants successfully. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. What I didn’t like; according to the Burda sizing I have size (US)12 hips and size (US) 10 waist. So I laid the pattern pieces down on some well-fitting jeans I already have and was suspicious the (US)12 hip would be too big, consequently I cut my leg pieces to accommodate size 12 hips but basted them together along the size 10 sewing lines. As it turned out the size 10 fit perfectly and I finished the seams to size 10 and removed the extra allowance.
Fabric Used:
Khaki/grey stretch gabardine for the pants and the back pocket flaps were made in a contrasting beige cotton. Topstitching in contrasting light tan thread, pewter shaded metallic buttons. To reduce chance of “pocket shadow” on the front of the pants I used a scraps of a very lightweight brown synthetic I had for the pocket piece.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
No pattern alterations. Instead of double rows of topstitching as recommended in the pattern instructions I used single long stitch topstitching in a lighter coloured contrasting thread, as I like the more simple look this gives.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would definitely sew this again! I already have some black stretch denim waiting with this pattern’s name on it…!
Conclusion:
I chose this pattern because I wanted slimline pants for winter and all my other pants patterns are widelegged because I had it stuck in my head slimline wouldn’t suit me. I am thrilled I took a chance with this new pattern type and felt very trendy and hip the first time I wore them! With the waistband sitting high at the natural waistline the pants are a big improvement on the low-rise skinny jeans of the last few years; the higher waist removes the risk of muffin-top happening and using a firm stretch fabric results in a figure hugging, body sculpting silhouette that I couldn’t be happier with…! This are definitely not “mummy jeans” but stylish and smart.
I would class them as “jeggings” the new name for pants that are too thin for the name “jeans” but too tailored and smart to be labelled “leggings”

Details:
Pants; Burda 7863, khaki stretch gabardine
Top; Cue
Ivory scarf; Country Road
Blue scarf; My DIY version, from a refashioned tank-top
Belt; from Salvos op shop
Booties; Django and Juliette