Friday, January 22, 2010

Kwik Sew 2881

The fancy new elastics came in from Sew Sassy, so it was time to try them out on a second pair of running shorts for Mitch.  He loves this pattern, and we have refined the fit so it was time to use the nice Spandex!

I know - I still can't convince him to model them.  Anyway, I really like this Spandex!  It is the Matte Moleskin from Spandex World.  It is an 8 oz. weight, so it a smidge heftier than the average stuff, but still breathes really nicely.  It is actually more slick than the shiny stuff, which is what Mitch was looking for, but it wasn't any more difficult to sew.  It is a winner!  And since I can easily get two pair of shorts out a yard, it is a ridiculous bargain.

Here is a closeup of the fancy gripper elastic in the legs.  Mitch really likes this.  He tells me that you can't find unpadded shorts with grippers, so score one for home sewing!  I asked him how much he would expect to pay for shorts of this quality and he laughed.  He tells me that he generally pays 30-40 dollars for his shorts, but that they are not this nice (ie don't fit him as well, are of cheaper material and don't have the gripper elastic).  These were less than 10 bucks to make (for materials - the pattern was on sale for $8, but I've already used it twice...), so score two for home sewing!!

In case you are wondering, I am working hard on the Myrtlewood.  I've never sewn anything with quite this many pattern pieces before, and I made it worse by adding lining pieces.  It's moving along, though.  I'm still very much in the prepwork stage - interfacing, sewing darts, constructing the collar.  Oh, that collar is beautiful!!  It is cut on the bias and seamed at CB, so my herringbone fabric makes a lovely chevron effect.

See what I mean.  I'm so excited about this dress!!

8 comments:

Pam said...

Great tip on the material and elastic - I can't wait to make these - we're serious road/mountain bikings - hey - I've paid $100.00 for shorts like these . . .

gwensews said...

I think it's just super that you can make things for your DH that he likes and wants to wear. How good is that? Still, you would think he'd model them for us! Good luck with your dress. I love your enthusiasm!

Susan said...

You have a blessed DH! Adding the elastic grip to those shorts was a fabulous job. Looks like they came out great, too.

kbenco said...

Terrific shorts. Where did you buy the gripper elastic?. So far I have only seen it at Seattle Fabrics on line, and due to postage, I only buy from there occasionally, a regular on line fabric store source would be a great boon to me! Fingers crossed....

KID, MD said...

Thanks, y'all! It's go great to have such an unequivocal success sewing for someone else.
kbenco - the gripper elastic came from Sew Sassy. I thought it was a pretty good bargain at 80 cents a yard!! Here is the link - http://www.sewsassy.com/Pages/Elastic.html#anchorGripperElastic

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

I really need to make some athletic clothes! The shorts look great.

Pam said...

Thanks for the link - I'm bookmarking it!

amber said...

I'm so impressed with all the athletic clothing you make! It's so nice that the stuff you make works so well for your husband - that has to make you feel very appreciated. :)