A first draft design pant guard

If you are like me, the moment the weather cooperates you use your bike to transport you from one end of the city to the other. Though the weather is getting warmer now, because it’s springtime, it’s also unpredictable, so wearing a cute little dress might seem smart at 8AM, by 4PM, it might not seem like the best choice. Wearing pants and biking around, though comfortable can pose a problem, particularly if you do not have a full coverage chain guard on your bike. Even if you do, nine times out of ten you’ll end up with a chain tattoo on the right inside of your pant leg.

There are several solutions to the pant leg + well-oiled chain problem; an elastic, tuck the pants into your socks, cut off nylons, etc… I think you get the picture; these are functional solutions, but not pretty at all. So I sewed up a little pants guard from scrap fabrics and tried my darndest to make it look nice, if not, at least interesting whether I’m on my bike or not.

I started with the idea of a bow-tie. I love cute little bow-tie accessories and so, why not have one at your ankle? I made two versions, one with an inch wide strap to hold back tapered pants, and one with wider coverage to reign in flare or bootcut pants. They are secured with velcro for easy on/off and for more adjustability than snaps might offer.

I love how this pattern came together.

First project of my Stash Spring Splash challenge is the dress from McCall’s M6609 using Moda Oh Deer quilting cotton. I think it came out quite nicely, though I still must hem it and am going to have to top-stitch the pockets, the lining seems to want to pop out!

Pattern: McCall’s M6609

Pattern Description: 
MISSES’ DRESS: Fitted dress (close-fitting through bust), has self-lined bodice, seam detail, side front pockets, invisible back zipper and vent.
Designed for light to medium weight woven fabrics.
SUGGESTED FABRICS:Twill, Sateen, Crepes, Poplin.Lining: Lining Fabrics
NOTIONS:20″/22″ Invisible Zipper, Hook & Eye.
* With Nap **Without Nap ***With or Without Nap

Pattern Sizing:
Combinations: A5(6-8-10-12-14),E5(14-16-18-20-22)

The pattern is challenging, but not frustrating! Love it!

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, surprisingly!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I didn’t really follow the instructions too closely as it is pretty straight forward. I tried to get some tips on creating the circles, alas, there weren’t any. Having never really done arcs like this before, it took a few shots, then I got it and it was smooth sailing from there.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved being able to play around with the fabrics and try to place them properly. That said, I didn’t think it all through (story of my life) and should have lined up the birds, but I’ll know for next time.

Fabric Used:
I used Oh Deer quilting cotton by Moda bought through Fabric.com

Next time I’ll make sure to think about the linear aspect of the arcs

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn’t line the dress, I wanted to keep it super light for summer and used bias tape instead.

I did insert a zipper, the dress fits right over my head without issues.

Next time I am going to shorten it at the straps to reduce some of the bulk around the upper back area, for me, shortening the bodice doesn’t really work since I have a “normal” torso but a short trip between my shoulders and bust.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Absotively, Possolutely! It was a blast to sew, challenging, but not frustrating. The possibilities are endless. My next plan is a version, done all in blue, except the back bodice would be lace! I think that would look smashing!

Conclusion: 
I can’t wait to sew this again!

Plans for Moda “Oh Deer” fabrics on McCall’s M6609

I have a grave and paralyzing fear of screwing up. I fall in love with fabrics and then, I spend the next few months ogling them, re-arranging them, folding them differently, planning for how I’m going to use it, and then, months later, it’s still on my shelf, waiting for me to get up the courage to make the first cut. That’s how someone like me ends up with a fabric reserve totaling over 150 yards. Oh yea, and that isn’t counting the box of pieces that are smaller than a yard stocked up under my cutting table!

My plans in the coming weeks are to use up some of that precious fabric I’ve been hording for the “perfect” project, and for when I think my skills are good enough to “make it work”. It’s time to step up to the plate and take a chance. If I screw up; so what? If it doesn’t work out the way I envisioned it; big deal. It’s fabric, it’s not the end of the world.