You’ve seen the three tops in the form of Tee-shirts that are required in the challenge, but I have another! I wanted to make a top from the February Burda, top 119. I bought a metre and a half of grey marl sweatshirting with French terry back from Fabworks and boy was it the right fabric!! Lets just say that I’m wearing that top whenever it’s clean and dry. I traced the 42 and didn’t do a FBA, which, in hindsight, I really should have done. There’s definitely upward pulling going on which a FBA would have prevented. Ah well, next time! I lengthened the body by 5cm and am definitely happy with that decision! It would have been way too short otherwise.
The fabric is perfect for the style, it holds the shape really well. The only thing I’d change for the next time would be to reduce the height of the collar. I’m wearing it folded over all the time – for me it’s just too high, so could do with 2-3cm shaved off on each side. But apart from that, this is a great top! I love with my 3/4 sleeve Uvitas, I like the colour and pattern popping out of the sleeve and just below the hem. Looks like I’m talking myself into making another…
Now for the pants… These are the one item I’m not that sold on, and might will have to find a replacement for. The pattern I chose is 107 from August Burda 2019 – which states it’s designed for fabrics with and without stretch, and which, in the magazine, they’ve made in ponte. So I bought 2m of viscose ponte in pistachio from Fabworks and set to work. Making a fly front, hip yoke pair of trousers in ponte was an interesting project. I like the colour, but I wonder if it shouldn’t have had a little more oompfh. Nevermind, as it is, I don’t think this pattern wasn’t necessarily designed for ponte fabric.
I cut the 40, as the previous pair I made in wool in the size 42 are too loose. But still I needed to take these in an extra 2cm on each side seam and 4cm in the back. The waistband was interfaced with stretch interfacing, and still halfway though the day I’m having to yank them back up into place. If, and this is a big if, I make this pattern again, I’ll remove a centimetre or two from the crotch depth, and make a 38 in a knit, possibly the 38/40 in a woven. I love the pleats at the hem, that detail is just fabulous, but the rest of the garment just isn’t working. It’s such a shame!! I think I’m going to have to open the waistband up and insert some elastic, or possibly even grossgrain ribbon. It just needs to stay up!!
So, three successful tees done, one sweatshirt top and one pair of dodgy trousers. I have toiled the “topper” part of the challenge and have identified at least another 3 pairs of trousers that would fit the bill for the bottoms. They’re all Burda patterns and will need to be traced, but at least I’m finally finding something in the latest magazines that I want to make!
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
The pants don’t look too bad. I think the kegs need to be slimmer. I took mine in a lot. But I got them to fit well in the front and back crotch, so just need to adjust the legs. I may try them in woven.
In a woven they work, although I still needed to take them down a size or two.
Worth spending a little time making the changes to make you comfortable wearing these trousers. The colour is nice – but is it strong enough to wear with the pale grey? I think a brighter shade may hold up better.
Yeah, it’s better with navy! 😀
A shame these didn’t work for you, Anne, but I wouldn’t hesitate to get at that waistband. Elastic sounds a good fix, but you’ll know what’s right. Who knows? They might grow on you (In the right sense, that is! 😉)
I have added internal twill tape, like a dress waist stay, on several pants that would not stay up, so you might consider trying that tight. Such a lovely color!
I actually think those pants are pretty awesome… Absolutely Love the ankle detail.
I wish you would post some more pix. I always get inspired by your work and beautiful photos, it makes me feel good. I am in the middle of a hotspot and could use a boost.