Saturday, November 14, 2009

Same Old Same Old...But Good Old

Kwik Sew makes some fantastic knit patterns, and this one, 3115, is one of my favorites. My fabric, from Christine Jonson, is called "Tanager", a cotton-lycra blend. It has 80% stretch, and great recovery, which makes it perfect for this, my favorite knock-around-the-house and yoga pant. I recently bought a new serger - the baby lock imagine. Since Baby Lock is introducing some new models, I was able to get a decent deal on this one, which has 'automatic air' threading. I have easily mastered the 3 and 4 thread serging features on this machine, but the 2-thread has me stumped. I need to go to class. I, Ms. Independent, and I will do it myself, thank you, ran into major headspaceandtiming issues, while trying to master a 2 thread flatlock. (That means I used lots of bad words, and the cats fled from the sewing room...) So, after 2 hours of frustration, decided to just go with the 3-thread flatlock, which I used on the side seams of this garment. The 3-thread lays more thread down, which is bulkier...which brings me to my desire to use the 2-thread flatlock.

Anyway, I ended up using this relatively light color fabric, and that's why I wanted vertical seaming to show, so I'd have a lengthening, and slimming line in my final garment. I used darker blue thread in the flatlock, and I used a narrow rolled hem. So, I did these in time to wear tonight, and soon I'll be making meatloaf and pumpkin pie for dinner. What does meatloaf and pumpkin pie have to do with these pants? Nothing. But there it is. And here are my new pants.

10 comments:

BetsyV said...

What does meatloaf and pumpkin pie have to do with these pants?

A lot, if you want less bulk in your seams! ;) Hope you figure out the 2-thread application. My serger totally escapes me. I never use it.

meredithp said...

I have *never* been able to master the flatlock on any serger. I think I did one time--only to have it unravel before I could secure it. Definitely not a go to seam finish for me. :-)

Theresa in Tucson said...

Headspace and timing? Someone you know has been in service. I had to smile at that analogy. The headspace and timing were done on an M2 50-cal machine gun and came to mean anything or anybody that needed to be adjusted. Hope you can figure yours out.

Gorgeous Things said...

Those pants look great on you! I'm still working on getting over my fear of my industrial coverlock. I need Gigi to come up to Boston and give a tutorial.

Mardel said...

The pants look great. I'm still experimenting, in very slow motion, on the features of my serger.

a little sewing said...

Oh I should sew some yoga pants, too. Those look great. I also have a Babylock Imagine and I love it. Never tried the 2-thread flatlock, though.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Oh I'm sooooo jealous! The babylock imagine serger is on my wish list! Just gotta stop wishing and start buying! *LOL*

Great yoga pants btw...and can I borrow your body!?! Wowza you look great!

sz said...

I've had that pattern for ages, and only made the tank. It's my go-to pattern for that. Now I'll have to try the pants. It's cooling down here, and something besides jeans would be nice.

Trudy said...

What great pants. And I love the color.

Kate S said...

This is a favourite of mine too- great cut in the leg! Your babylock sounds fantastic - I have a basic Janome overlocker which I am pretty sure does not offer flatlocking :( I will be interested to see how the 2 thread option on yours turns out when you have mastered it.

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