Winter sewing part 2

So finally I finished my jeans. Not that it was hard, but I do have an aversion to sewing waistbands, don't ask me why, I don't know? It's not like I have failed waistbands lying around, I just always procrastinate about sewing them. 

That's the pattern and the full length jeans. They have a straight waistband which actually works ok for my waist. The denim was bought at Lincraft a number of years ago and is probably great for winter in Brisbane, not sure how great they'll be in Germany. Not to worry I'm making merino tights and/or long johns. 

This is the back of the jeans. The pocket is ridiculously small. I knew it but should have pulled them off and done them again. Of course proportion is everything and smaller pockets mean bigger looking back end so I want to avoid that. I probably won't get time before we go away but it won't matter as they will be covered anyway.  

These photos are all terrible and all been lightened to see any detail. I don't remember what size I cut but I think it was 16 and I added a couple of centimetres from the hip to the mid thigh level. I needed it too.

Top here is the Simplicity off shoulder one, haven't got the pattern around but it was the wearable test top. A cotton gingham scrap someone gave me and so rose buttons holding the straps on. 

This top is the Ottobre top in the last post, but with a replaced sleeve that's been shortened, the top's been hemmed and the neck edge is overlocked with a wide narrow hem... does that make sense? So same as a narrow hem except I take out the right needle and it makes the close stitching wider.  It's hard to see there. I like this top and the fabric is quite thick so the neckline doesn't flop but is kind of  a structured drape, but it is warm and the metallic sleeves make it a little bit fancier. I don't expect that pleather to last, but I tried it on with no sleeves and I think with a long sleeve striped turtle/roll neck top it will be a nice layer for winter in Brisbane anyway.

Sorry I'm all over the shop, this is the side view of the jeans. I did the double line stitching on the outside and no stitching on the inside leg... intentionally for the double line but I got a bit carried away and forgot the order I should have stitched up the legs and don't have time to do things over. Still so much to do. The aim of the side seam should be straight from the top to the bottom but as you can see this isn't quite perfect.

 These pants above are made from the same fabric as the top. Quite a heavy wool mix knit with not a lot of stretch. My secret track pants... they looked better in my head. For anyone old enough who remembers The Goodies, I remember the bearded guy wearing something like this in a show and this is what I see when I look at that photo.. plus how short do my legs look, and chunky... tree trunks!  I might play with them this weekend and tack them slimmer and see if it's a better look. They do need to be shortened a little.

Back to the jeans ... they are blue not black like this photos shows but the red it pretty accurate. I used red topstitching thread and normal thread on the bobbin. Bar tacks were done with the Janome I used to do the topstitching (spoilt with two machines .. or three or four, but that's for another time). I used a 'hump jumper'... a piece of hard plastic I harvested from some random thing but is the perfect height and lovely 10cm length which makes it easy to handle.  I was worried I couldn't do the bar tacks but I am happy how they turned out. I'm actually quite please with how all these things worked out. Apologies about the bad quality of photos again.

I have much to make still - an Ottobre wrap sweatshirt hoodie in green merino, finish my son's long johns and undies, a merino body suit and hopefully a stripy body suit and another one I started ages ago and not finished. I'm also going to try to make the Jalie socks... anyone used that pattern? I thought I'd make merino socks as kind of a lining sock so they can get washed and will dry quickly and the heavier socks stay nice and clean. My son has very sweaty feet so if this is comfortable for him I may make him shorter ones for the summer too. I would also like to make a pair of swimmers for my son. I'll make another hat for him and one for me too. Hope I get it all done.