shorts – Page 2 – Sew Beach Life

Pace Skirt

Tips For Pretty Pleats

Like many (most?) sewists, I like looking through patterns, and thinking about new clothing I can add to my wardrobe. I have eyed the GreenStyle Pace Skirt several times, and even when I’ve made bulk pattern purchases to get the discount, I’ve hesitated on the Pace Skirt because of the pleats. Pleats may seem intimidating, but you really can sew pretty pleats! I want to share some tips for making pleats, so you won’t be afraid to try this fun pattern.

The Pace Skirt has a plain front and pleated back, with optional attached briefs, or shorts with pockets! 🙂 Secret hidden pockets to carry your keys and phone? Not having to worry that a big gust of wind will come along, or that you’ll have to perform some kind of quick un-lady-like move while chasing a little one around? Sign me up please!

The pattern is drafted for a stretch woven skirt, with a stretch knit waistband and briefs/shorts. Since it can be challenging to find a stretch woven fabric, GreenStyle has a note in the directions that you can use a stretch knit by sizing the skirt portion down a size. I have learned to trust the extensive testing and excellent pattern drafting, follow my measurements, and make the recommended sizes. I like to print and tape a master copy of my patterns and trace out my size on parchment paper. That way I’ve always got my master pattern to go back to, even if my pattern pieces get torn or a bit crinkled up from use.

So here is my first tip: pay attention when you are tracing your pattern pieces. Because I was using a stretch knit, I had to remember to trace a smaller size for the skirt front, back, and upper back pieces, while using my measured size for the waistband and shorts pieces. This is also the time to lengthen or shorten the pattern pieces as needed. I am tall, so I added 1-3/8″ to the skirt length. I also used the high rise waistband pieces rather than the standard pieces. Can I just add here that I love that both rises are included in the pattern? I didn’t have to worry about adjusting the pattern to add to the rise, and those that prefer a shorter rise also have the appropriate pattern pieces.

Tip #2: Make sure that you are laying out your pattern perfectly on the grain. Grainlines and direction of greatest stretch lines are included on patterns for a very important reason. They help you line up the pattern with the fabric so that your garment will hang properly on the body. This is super important on the skirt back piece, because you will want to reference the grainline when pressing your pleats. If you cut it out on grain, it will make it so much easier to get perfect pleats. If you cut it out crooked, you will get crooked pleats if you follow the grainline while pressing.

Tip #3: Mark the pleat lines on the skirt back. The pattern piece is clearly marked with how to fold your pleats, so they go from the center outwards. You could use tracing paper or a disappearing pen, but I found it easy enough to use pins and clips. I placed pins along the top of the skirt at the pleat marks. And where each pleat folded over, and the next pleat started, I also added a clip. That was my reminder of where the pleat ended. In the photo below, I’ve already pressed all the pleats on the right outward toward the right side of the skirt. (I used the metal hem guides to help hold my pleats in place while I made the folds to pleat the other half of the skirt back. You could also just use pins or clips to accomplish this.) Since I had made sure that I cut my pattern piece on the grainline, it was easy to follow the grainline to press the entire length of the pleat down to the hemline. And obviously, I need to clean my iron, because little white specks of build-up have flaked out of the steam ports! 🙂

Tip #4: When pattern directions suggest that you baste, take the time to baste! The small amount of time that it takes to baste, will save you so much more time when you are sewing your pieces together. Once all of your pleats are pressed, pin them in place so that you can baste them down before sewing on the upper back piece. Check out those pretty, pressed pleats!

By following the pattern directions, you will end up with a fun, flirty, pleated skirt! It can be casual everyday wear when paired with a simple tank top. In this case, a rayon spandex GreenStyle Staple Tank.

You can use the built-in briefs option if you prefer it when playing tennis or golf. If you’re like me and want pockets to hold your stuff while power-walking, I recommend the shorts. I love the “secret” pockets!

I also love that you can change the vibe and wear the Pace Skirt for dressier occasions by wearing a chiffon top, or adding a jacket or cardigan. This RTW top had been languishing in my closet because I didn’t really have anything to wear it with.

I am very happy with my new skirt. My husband complimented me on it, and said that he loves the pleats. ❤ Even with the built-in shorts, I don’t feel overheated because I used Phee Fabrics circular knit which is moisture-wicking and super comfortable. There’s no need to feel intimidated by pleats. If you have any questions about sewing or pleats, feel free to comment and I will try to help you out. Take your time, use my tips, follow the pattern directions, and add some cute new skirts to your closet!

*This post may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links. As always, I only give my honest opinion. After all, it is my blog, which represents me! Thank you for reading and supporting my love of sewing!

My GreenStyle Fit Capsule Roundup

Sew All The Workout Wear!

I’ll start off with my newest makes from earlier this week. Before I spent three days helping my Mom and before I ended up with the flu. 😦 I knew I had to get my sewing fix in before I left for my Mom’s, so I made a couple things I really wanted and needed.

My love for Super G’s is strong, so I made a pair in navy Supplex with navy powernet pocket panels. As soon as these new colors were listed on the Phee Fabrics website, I had to place an order! Navy is a great basic, so I will wear these a lot. Since I always find myself reaching for a Studio To Street Top when I get chilly, I decided to make another one in Phee’s pretty periwinkle rayon spandex. I did the V-neck, V-back, curved hem version, except I cut it straight across in the front, and did a 4-1/2″ split hem on the bottom sides. This kept it a little bit longer in the front, and gave me a cleaner, (though similar look) to the split band version I made previously.

Since it’s not a capsule without at least three pieces, here’s my flat lay photo that includes my Brassie Jogger shorts. If I have enough Supplex left in any other colors, I plan to make more Brassie shorts because they are seriously the most comfortable shorts ever! It’s a bummer that I couldn’t capture the true colors with my indoor photo.

My Lille Tank and Norah Nightgown mash-up was the anchor for my teal and charcoal Supplex capsule. I used powernet in the front and back bodice, as well as for the pocket panels on my Super G’s. And look, it’s another pair of Brassie shorts!

Plum Supplex and neon green tricot made such a striking combo for my Power Sports Bra and Super G’s. I rounded out my capsule with a plum Supplex Lille. Because it’s a solid, I’ll be able to mix and match it with items in my other capsules.

Hacking the Power Sports Bra into a workout top was my first Fit Capsule item. And it looks great with my gray Supplex Super G’s. Of course I need to include one of my comfortable rayon spandex Studio To Street Tops to round out this final capsule.

All in all, I have really enjoyed sewing for the Fit Capsule Challenge. It pushed me to expand my workout wardrobe and to finish up some pieces that I know will get tons of wear. Here’s hoping that I can get over this flu and get back to yoga on Monday!

Phone Sized Pockets

Because Pockets Are Life!

GreenStyle Creations Brassie Joggers are a quick sew with a comfortable fit. But they have a small problem- modern technology! Most women will comment about clothing that “Pockets are life!” Ready to wear women’s clothing rarely has pockets. Or if they do, they are tiny little decorative pockets. About the only RTW clothing item that consistently has pockets are denim jeans. Real women need pockets!

Menswear has pockets, and I get it that men have to carry wallets, and most women carry purses. But you can’t carry your purse around all day. When I go for a walk, I take a house key and my phone (and my water bottle, I get thirsty!) So I need pockets for my stuff. And if you have little ones, pockets are a necessity. “Mama, look at this pretty rock. Hold it for me.” Toy cars, snacks, rocks and sticks, you name it, Mama is expected to carry it in her pocket.

The real necessity of course, is your cell phone. Modern technology has conditioned us to feel lost without our mini-computer. And if you prefer a larger screen so you can see all those cute photos on your Facebook feed, forget it! That phone isn’t going to fit in most pockets. And adding a phone case makes it even more of a challenge to fit.

The Brassie Jogger pocket is a decent size, it just doesn’t feel deep enough to hold my phone securely. Altering the pocket may sound challenging, but really, it’s an easy modification. The opening at the top of pocket pieces is around six inches, to give you room to take your hand (and stuff) in and out of the pocket. So however you alter the shape of the opening, you need to maintain that six inch opening.

I wanted the pocket opening to start about two inches higher than it does. The purple pocket edge line shows the original shape. I lined the pocket pattern piece up under the pants front to maintain the proper hip curve. Then I took my measuring tape, held one end two inches up from the original spot and curved it up toward the waist. I maintained the six inch opening for my hand, and traced my new pocket opening. The new opening is shown in turquoise.

Since I also wanted a higher rise (I am tall, and low or mid-rise pants don’t fit well) I added an inch at the top of my pattern pieces. The pattern currently has layers for low and mid-rise. I think I’ve read that GreenStyle plans to update the pattern to add a higher rise, but I want to make this pattern now. I could have used the slash and spread method to add an inch to the rise, but adding it at the top worked. Bonus- it also made the pocket an inch deeper!

I also traced my new pocket curve onto my fabric and made a one inch wide pocket facing. I prefer a facing to just turning the top edge under and stitching. I think it adds crispness and stability to your pockets. I lengthened the inseam of my shorts to six inches, as it’s a good length for me. Other than these simple modifications, I simply followed the pattern directions.

When Phee Fabrics started carrying Polartec, I wanted to try some. It is an interesting fabric, NOT the bulky polar fleece stuff you might be visualizing. It’s a technical anti-microbial fabric with a moisture wicking “power grid”.

The power grid design also makes it super easy to see your grainline and ensure that you are laying out your pattern pieces properly!

The Polartec Powerdry fabric is lightweight and breathable, so I knew that I would be able to make cute and comfortable shorts out of it. I hope I have enough of this fabric left to make some joggers or lounge pants, because it is comfortable!

If you’re interested, the top I am wearing is made of Phee Fabrics rayon/spandex using the P4P Essential Tank pattern with the curved hemline.

So go ahead and add some pockets to your life! 🙂