Back To Basics 2018
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Hi friends!!
I am talking all about some BASICS sewing today, AND there is a GIVEAWAY involved, too!! What a happy hump day it is! *Be sure to read to the end for the giveaway details!*
Mac and Katie (from Sew Altered Style) approached me a while back about participating in this tour, and of course I had to say yes! I have to admit. Sewing basics is kind of one of my favorite things, but not always the things I make time for! Can any of you relate?
There is something so innately satisfying about making something and then repeatedly reaching for it over and over because it's something that;
- A. You love.
- B. It's a staple wardrobe piece/builder.
- C. It's something you made and feel pride in wearing.
But let's be honest. Sewing basics can seem sort of... boring. I mean, why not just grab a $5 tee at the nearest store and be on your way? Hmm. This can be a tough one! And I will admit, I do on occasion grab those tees! In fact, I just recently grabbed a few such tees. One reason was that I (along with many others) am having a hard time finding that 100% cotton, lightweight t-shirt knit that makes for the perfect slouchy tee.
The second reason was that I needed a specific tee for a specific reason and simply didn't have time to sew it up. That might sound silly, because tees are super quick sews, but life as a mom sometimes just is what it is and doesn't allow those extra minutes just when we need them!
Another reason this Back To Basics Week (actually the founding reason) is so timely, is that in just 6 days from today, starts the epic sewing-world event... Drum roll please... Me Made May!! Hellllo, that hashtag has been used over 50k times!
This is the third year that I will be participating in Me Made May and I am just so excited for all the camaraderie surrounding it. It's so much fun to see everyone's amazing handmade clothing.
While Me Made May is super exciting, it can also shine a direct spotlight on the gaps in our handmade wardrobes. So this year, I am getting a little head start and made a few basics that I knew I needed and would see a ton of wear, not just in May, but throughout the upcoming summer.
You will not find me in jeans or pretty much pants of any kind in the summer once the heat sets in, so I made a THIRD pair of one of my all time favorite shorts patterns, the Emerson Shorts by True Bias.
I really can't say enough good things about this pattern. It's number one appeal for me is the comfort factor. Seriously, it can't get any better for a pair of woven shorts. But comfort isn't what drew me to the pattern initially, it was the design. I love the loose fit in the legs, the pleats and the slant front pockets. It all adds up to style AND comfort, which really can't be beat!
This is my third pair, and I sewed it up in some super lovely tencel denim from Joann Stores. And really, how much more basic does it get than denim!? This pair will be worn to threads, no doubt about it. I have a black pair (you can see here) and a light blue pair, both in rayon/linen that I already live in, and this pair will blend into the rotation seamlessly.
This is my third pair, and I sewed it up in some super lovely tencel denim from Joann Stores. And really, how much more basic does it get than denim!? This pair will be worn to threads, no doubt about it. I have a black pair (you can see here) and a light blue pair, both in rayon/linen that I already live in, and this pair will blend into the rotation seamlessly.
The only change I made to the pattern this time around was to add 1-1/2" to the hem length. Otherwise I sewed a straight size 6, my current measurements are H-37.25, W-28.5.
Up until about a month ago, I had several white tees in my closet. But the problem was... They weren't that white anymore. Ick. I really didn't even feel that bad getting rid of them because they had lived with me and served me well for 5+ years. It was time to let them go.
But then I had a white tee emergency and ran to Old Navy and bought, in all honesty, a perfectly good white v-neck tee! But like I said, I just got rid of at least 3 of them, so I'm in the restocking stage with my white tee stash.
The store-bought version of my white tee is a bit different from this one. The neckband on my Union St. Tee (Newest Version) is wider, the neckline is higher and I added the chest pocket. Also, the hem shape and length are different. This one is customized to me! And I'm super happy not to have the extra hem-length bunching up around my hips on this version.
I used white Laguna Jersey for this tee. It is a cotton/spandex blend that I purchased from Imagine Gnats a while back. Unfortunately it is out of stock, but the Dana Modal jerseys are an excellent alternative! I was super worried that the fabric would be too sheer for this shirt, but I'm happy to report, that with a skin-toned bra, it is perfecto. Good thing, because I have a couple more yards of this fabric to make a couple more basic white tees with different details!
I went down a size to a size small on this pattern. I am super happy with the fit! The arms are a wee bit snug, so for the next one, I may go up a size in the arm width.
I also raised the v-neck 1/2" in the center front. You can view how I did this on my saved Instagram Stories, under Tutorials.
I find Hey June patterns to be pretty long on my 5'3" frame, so I took 1 inch out of the lengthen/shorten line and 1 inch off at the hemline. I haven't decided yet if this is the perfect length for me or not. For pairing with jeans, I feel like it's just smidge TOO short, so I may leave the 1 inch on the hemline next time.
Next up is another Hey June pattern, she's a go-to for basics patterns for sure!
This one is the ever popular Lane Raglan (in the updated version, for those of you who have owned the pattern for years like I have!).
I've made a few of these over the years, but unfortunately, the fabrics I used on the first two, did not hold up and I have since parted with them. I still have one that I wear mostly for yard work, because I'm not a huge fan of the colors I chose to color-block, and also, because it's just too long.
So for this version, I kept it VERY basic. I went with a single fabric, rather than color-blocking and chose a pale peach color that I knew I would want to wear constantly this spring.
I kept with my same pattern changes as the last time I made it. I went down a size to a small on the top, graded to a medium at the hips. This time however, I made some length mods. I took out 1" at the waistline and hemmed it at the band cut line, rather than adding the band.
I used a lightweight french terry, also from Imagine Gnats, and it's the perfect spring top to pair with shorts! The fabric does not have a lot of stretch, so it is pretty close-fitting across the top, but not uncomfortably so. I'm just noting it to myself, because in a jersey with more stretch, this sizing is my perfect choice.
And those are the 3 basic pieces I'm going to be bringing into May with me! This will mix and match with the vast majority of my closet and that makes me super happy...
Now for the GIVEAWAY!!!
I am so super thrilled that I get to give one of you a $25 gift certificate to Imagine Gnats Shop!! You can purchase all three of the patterns I used there, as well as so many amazing fabrics to make them with. To enter, please hop over to my Instagram page HERE, and comment on today's post! I'll mention the giveaway at the top of the post so you'll know you've found the right one.
Now go do something nice for yourself and sew you some basics!!
Be sure to check out the Back To Basics Tour Schedule below as well. Thanks for stopping by!!
April 23 | Creative Counselor
April 24 | Heather Handmade
April 25 | Handmade Frenzy
April 26 | Harper + Lu
April 27 | Sewing by Ti