I'm pretty late to this particular party, but I finally got round to making the Colette Patterns Madaleine mini bloomers this week. I downloaded the pattern the second I clapped eyes on it but it wasn't until my revision of my Summer Essentials list that I realised they might actually prove to be darn useful.Generally speaking, I found they went together very well, except I found the front and back inside leg seams didn't marry up. Did anyone else have this problem? When you lay the front and back pattern pieces together, there is clearly a sizeable discrepancy. Anyhoo. I really like the way the pattern instructed the insertion of the elastic in the waistband, with two lines of casings which look really neat. I'll definately be using that method again in the future as I HATE it when elastic sometimes folds over and monkeys about inside it's casing.
I must say that these are realllllyyyyyyy hipstery. If/when I make these again, I'll definately be adding some centimetreage at the top to make them cover by substantial arse and hips a bit better. Also, I wish I'd gone with my first instinct to put elastic rather than a drawstring/ribbon round the bottom for comforts sake. I like the pleats at the front of each leg which wouldn't be possible with elastic, but I think I could live without them.
I used some really nice crisp shirting cotton that was chillin' in my stash without a plan attached to it. I think it gives a traditional mens' pyjama vibe which is a quirky reflection of the bloomers use. I also handstitched all the ends of the ribbon so that they don't fray during washing. I have actually used them each day since their completion for sleeping in/wandering about the flat in before I go for a shower (for a visual on that, see below), so I would have to declare them a WIN! Thanks to Sarai for going to the trouble of creating this pattern and instructions for free. There are some seriously cute versions of these bloomers out there, check out this post to see some of the cuteness.
24 comments:
I love the shirting and might have to steal that idea.
Super cute! This is the first I've seen photos of anyone wearing them, so I appreciate the comments about the rise and leg ribbons!
Thanks for the tip about the ribbon around the legs. I've been eying these for a while, so I'm really glad you mentioned that before I crack down on these babies.
so, so cute!!!
Trudy
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
They look really good. I have had mine cut out for about a month now!
Those are so cute. Good choice of fabric!
Love your version. I did put elastic around the legs - I knew that my 13 yo wouldn't wear them if she had to deal with ties. Unfortunately, she won't wear them at all!
Cute! I have yet to make these, too! I should get on it...
These are adorable!
Very cute! Would be a great way to up-cycle some of the men's pj shirts I see in all the thrift stores here.
I bet you could use both the elastic and the ribbon, and still get the pleat at the front if you stitched the elastic down where the ribbon opening would be, and make some fake ribbon ties coming out of the same place.
These are ever-so-cute, and I love them in shirting! I really feel like I need some now!
Cute - love your version in shirting! What an adorable reminder to make myself a pair someday soon!
They really are cute! And I have several months to make them before summer rolls around here!
These look really gorgeous!
If you're using polyester satin ribbon a really good way to finish the ends is to hold them close to (not in) a candle flame. The edges melt a little and seal the ribbon, preventing it from fraying. With a little practice you can get a perfectly clean straight line edge which looks good too!
I use this every time as it's so much easier and more durable than handsewing a little hem.
They look great and really comfy to wear. I think the men's shirting gives a not too girly vibe to them :)
Which inseam was longer? Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing gave me an a-ha moment when it discussed how good patterns make the... back?... inseam a little longer than the front. The difference is meant to be eased in, and apparently this makes the pants hug your behind better.
See also these trousers.
The first time I have seen anyone actually wearing these bloomers - you are a brave girl! Others have got there before me, but yes, you need to slightly stretch the shorter piece (or gather the longer) to fit back and front together. To account for extra curvature at the back-side! And you could always sew ribbon onto the ends of elastic - just don't forget to stitch down the end of the elastic or it will disappear into the casing when you pull the ribbon.
Very very cute!
Hi lovelies! Thanks for all the lovely comments. And thanks, I do know about extra length on back inside seams on trousers to allow for the seat, but these measurements were WAY different! Impossible to ease in.
Zoe xxx
yesterday i finally printed out/taped together this very pattern, and was eying one of my husband's old stripey shirts to make them out of, but (thankfully) decided to do a test run with an old sheet...wish i had seen your post first, because, wow! hipster isn't even close to the right term. i'll be adding some big fat inches to the top and doing another tester before cutting into real fabric. (or maybe it's just my big bum, pretty sure the front& back centers dipped a bit down from the sides, not sure they're supposed to do that either...)
anyway, yours are adorable, and thanks for the tip about elastic instead of ribbon!
These look great! I've made one pair and wear them loads, I think I'll have to make another.
I also had that problem with the seam and I read about it another blog who just trimmed off the difference, which is what I did.
Love the cuteness in the design, but I think I'll aim to do what you are planning as well in my next pair, just a tad to the waist, and elastic around the legs.
Btw, I wanted to thank you again for the inspiration on your forgiveness post, I'm whipping up a whole post of my own inspired by it. :)
I plan to make these and thought my husband would like them too. As I was talking about them one day he seemed to think it was strange to make bloomers and crushed all my hopes and dreams (something I like to tell him a lot hahaha). But since he's seen the pattern pic, he's less cynical! :) I love yours and notice lots of people use woven fabrics. I was planning to use a knit and elastic in the leg as you mentioned to be REALLY comfy...do you think it would work with knits?
These are lovely! I've downloaded this pattern myself and really need to get going with it. The shirting makes it look like you stole your other half's pj bottoms to make them in a 'make do and mend' style - very sweet. (Not that I'm implying you would steal another person's pyjamas to make you own!) x
I made these, but I cheated because I hated the idea of casings. Everytime I wear anything with casing, I end up losing whatever it is that goes into it. So I stitched elastic to the inside and stitched ribbon bows onto the outside :)
But that's because i'm lazy
http://maxcalifornia.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-review-madeline-mini-bloomers.html
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