The frustration began when I realised the only kind of pants I had in my closet were jeans (no, don´t cry for me yet). Every single new pair I tried didn´t fit properly: these are too loose on the hips, these are too loose on the waist, these are alright but have heart shaped pockets and a hello kitty applique, ohh get out of the kids section, you... One day, I was at Girissima filling my shopping cart like I was rich just looking around and found these that caught my eye:

I had achieved that gathered high waist line look once in some shorts made for my girl, by adding elastic to a wider waistband, so I could try these with the same method, using a similar pants pattern from Casual Sweet Clothes:

I wanna make everything in this book and it´s not just because of the beautiful styling of the pictures. Patterns are really good, fit well, and inspire you to mix and match between them or make simple alterations to the models. Everything an intermediate or a beginner who likes challenges needs.

I decided to have a go at the pants because they were a simple pattern, no zip fly, off seam pockets and elastic waistband. With these features one would expect to end up with pyjama pants; couldn´t be more far from that.
 

The fabric is a navy blue viscose ponte knit (I´m guessing here, it´s quite thick and stretchy) and was very easy to work with. Serger on one side, ball point needle on my Alfa, nothing to report there.

I made a couple of alterations to the original pattern to achieve the look I was aiming for. Though sizes in the book are small, the pants are wide legged, and I was afraid it turned up too baggy, so I didn´t trace the seam allowance (which is not included in any pattern, ugh...). Because of this, then I would have to change the marks for the belt loops, but since I wasn´t feeling that bow belt at the time, I excluded them and moved on. All I wanted was a pair of wearable pants.

The pockets are french seamed on the inside and top stitched by my choice. That gathered waist effect also appears on those shorts next to the pants (but the pattern for these is not included, so see how it pushes you to alter and create what you really wanna wear?). You just need to widen the waistband so it ends a little after the waist and top stitch where you would like the elastic to be enclosed. Once you insert the elastic, it will create the gathered effect on the fabric above the elastic case.

I apologise for the low quality of the pictures, but dark blue is a terrible colour to shoot and also it was my very first production. All picture credits to the awesome photographer, Mr. Auto Timer.

Ever since I started sewing for myself I noticed a big change in my sewing rhythm. When it comes to kids (especially toddlers), let´s face it, everything fits well. I mean everything. I remember one of the first things I made for Joana was a pair of self drafted pants and I used the same pattern piece for front and back. Enough said.

Although she could still pull it off (look at that yummy tummy), I see myself looking backwards and reviewing what I´ve evolved since Aladdin-self-drafted-pants phase.

First of all, the pattern. Nothing beats a good lined, tested pattern with instructions to sew along.

Then, the fabric. I am still a complete rookie here but I have become more aware of what kind of fabric I should use for a specific project. And good patterns always include fabric recommendations.

Afterwards, the cut. I was never afraid of cutting fabric, but I am much more cautious now about the grainline, pattern matching in seams, motives placement in certain parts of the body or fur orientation.

Finally, we come to the actual sewing. So, by now, I must have spent two or three days doing all of the above as opposed to the dress-totally-made-in-two-hour-nap-time. Just look at that paisley orientation on the bodice and the skirt, just look at it! But again, nobody wore it better, for sure.

The sewing part is my favourite part. It´s all that matters and the final test to our ability to screw it up. Because we ALL SCREW IT UP AT SOME POINT. But then we put ourselves together, pray that the kids haven´t heard the F word and start the unpicking. My all time favourite is when I´ve been sewing the most perfect of perfects in perfectland topstitches and realise the bobbin thread ended 143 stitches ago. Let´s just call it a night and drink all the gin.

Starting to sew for myself definitely changed the view I had on sewing in general. It´s a slow and multistage process as opposed to the quickness I was aiming for when I started (but quick sews are the best!), with much love involved in time consuming special finishings, and that gets us closer to our goal, which is of course being able to say: "In your face, Inditex!".

I´ve been postponing creating a blog simply because... well, i´m lazy. First fact. I have been sharing and learning so much through a Facebook portuguese sewing group and Instagram that I thought it was enough. The thing is, i´ve been feeling the urge to talk more and share more ideas about sewing and that made me take the plunge.

More facts. I´m a sunny portuguese gal (don´t you just love our weather?), not yet 32, math and science teacher, and passionate, ohhh so passionate about soooo many things. The guy, my guy, my highschool sweetheart and now partner for crime life. My dear dear girl Joana, almost four, and my tasmanian devil energetic sweet boy Miguel, two. They are THE reason I started sewing.

I have always looked at things and thought "hey, I could do that". Blame it on my father who is the most crafted, multifaceted and talented person. So, I started looking at the clothes I was buying for my kids and decided to have a go.

I´m self taught and here we should stop to give a round of applause to...(drum roll, please)... the Internet. You can learn everything from there and...(second bigger round of applause)... sewing bloggers. There are some really crazy talented people out there making it so easy for us, beginners.

I consider myself an intermediate/fearless beginner and have done, so far, a lot of things my kids and I really wear. The goal? An entire wardrobe. Or, better said, three entire wardrobes (sorry husband, just pyjama pants for now). Nothing to ambitious, right?

I have been hoarding collecting patterns from Burda magazines, pdf well known patterns and books, especially japanese sewing books. Although I already have a few children favourites, it´s harder to find good fit patterns for myself because I´m petite sized, but japanese patterns were a great find and I have recently found some others I will talk about later on.

So, what to expect? A lot of selfish sewing. With some music because, well, it makes all the cursing that stupid f#$%& machine sound better. That´s my place in life right now.

About the name: do I even need to talk about that song, that beautiful, teardroping song? It just sums me up.