I was cutting out my stretch jeans and was almost finished – only small parts left ( pockets, fly pieces, etc ). I found a lovely piece of denim and began cutting out my pockets. After awhile I started to wonder where such a lovely long piece came from. I looked up and to my horror discovered that I have cut my pockets out of my trouser front piece. Bang! Right at the knee.

What to do?? I could cut out another front maybe? Unfortunately for me, there was not enough length left – I was 10 or 15 cm short.

How about pre-wash another piece of denim? But would I want to waste so much fabric because of my temporary insanity? I certainly would not.

Well, there was only one thing left to do – improvisation.

It took me some time to start thinking straight again and to come up with a plan. I decided to cut my trouser front in two parts with seam running horizontally about 15 cm below the waist and insert a zip there pretending that it was the plan all along.

And so, my simple stretch denim trousers became a bit more complex. In the end I ended up with two entrances into my right pocket and shiny zazzy zipper which I happen to love. And no extra denim wasted!

And here is the big view

I like this type of cut, I think they look better on me than skinny jeans – a slight flare balances out the leg.

How many times have you found yourself in a tough spot due to being inattentive? How did you get out of it? And did the result look better than the original plan? Do share :)

So, after long deliberation and search I found what I was looking for – a very smart pair of trousers (spotted on Victoria’s Secrets website) without pleats. I think my fabric looks exactly as the one pictured, it should be a satisfying project!

On top of this I am busy deconstructing my woollen jacket.

I love the fabric, it is so soft and light. The problem is that it is two sizes too big for me now ( size 44 ). This is what you get after loosing 30 kg. I wish I took the pictures of me wearing the jacket before I ripped into it, but I was so inspired to make it work, that before I thought of it the lining and sleeves were gone. Let’s just say it is hopelessly big, with bust darts about 10 cm too low, shoulders too wide, etc.

At first I thought I would have to completely re-cut it, but the pockets are in the way and I will have to work around them by taking in at CB and side back seams, shortening and lowering shoulders, re-setting sleeves and re-sewing collar. Is it all worth it? I guess I’ll soon find out.

Wish me luck.

The list is 8 pages long and you can download it on my “Free files” page. There are fabric suppliers, fur and leather, interfacings ( oh, mama! ), accessories and trims, buttons, zips, buckles and studs, feathers and flowers, threads, millinery supplies, paper and cardboard ( and other patternmaking things ), where to get your machines repaired, fabric pleated or dyed….Heavenly!

Thank you St George fashion design and technology centre!

Before – nasty folds!	After. Diagonal folds looking better, but front darts do nothing for my type of figure
Before. More nasty folds	After. Looking great, side seam is still shifted towards back
Before	Back is unchanged. Neck looks a bit high

I wish I could show you a mind-blowing transformation, but this time the changes are quite subtle. It gets better though, scroll down to my final fitting pictures!

After my final fitting here is what my bodice looks like on paper

with blue outlines being the final result. And here is what it looks like now

With my new-found determination to correct my one-sided slouch I now try to stand straight at all times which causes slight fabric pull at my right shoulder. I can’t win, can I ?? I have also omitted front darts, because I think it looks so much better without them.

Look, all diagonal pulling is gone

Armscyes need to be cut away a bit, I know, but check out my sneaky diagonal tuck alteration. It took care of folds at the sides and extra fabric at the scye in one bite. And I don’t look very lopsided on this picture – another bonus!

I am dying to read all about your bodice fittings/alterations, how did you go? I now have a “forum” on my blog, it is a very lonely place since I am the only one there, but hopefully I’ll see you and your fabulous bodices there soon :)