Time for Mum Blogtour

EYMM Back to School Tour: Mom's Edition

My regular readers may have noticed I've been quiet around here for a few weeks, not because I haven't been sewing but because I've been so busy I haven't had time to blog about it all!  We've had lots of family time and a holiday around my Brother's wedding and just making the most of the {super short} nice weather period we get here in UK!

A great kick-starter back to blogging was seeing a call for this EYMM Back to School Tour: Mom's Edition blogtour*. My children are home educated so they aren't technically 'back to school' now but still, Autumn is quickly rolling in and slowing down now from the Summer and hey, any excuse to sew something nice for myself, right?

​Recently, I've started to run {well fast walk, occasional jog if I'm honest} to help build up my fitness again and realised I have no suitable or comfortable clothing in my handmade wardrobe for such activities, so, courtesy of EYMM patterns* and JK Jersey Fabrics UK.....here we have my new workout top and leggings!

First off I used the 'Get Moving'* Leggings pattern wich comes in XS-5XL sizes and a choice of 5 lengths. I measure in between XS and S so as per the advise in the pattern and due to not wanting to fade out the fabric print too much from over stretching, I sized up and went with the small in below the knee length.  I've never made or worn leggings before {or used an EYMM pattern*} so these were a first and I was pleasantly surprised with how quick and easy to sew they were! The main leggings are made from just 1 pattern piece so only have a seam on the inside leg making them not only quick to make but super comfortable and no pattern matching worries on the outside leg either!

​The waistband can either be a regular or fold over band, which are included as a measurement to cut rather than pattern pieces.  I chose the regular as I didn't wan't to add to much bulk to my tummy area but actually I found the regular wide enough to fold over and be super comfortable and supportive over my 'mummy tummy'  Then came to finishing the bottom and the instructions say to hem, I chose to put bands on instead of hemming just because I felt this would 'balance' them better in my eyes.  All in all a really comfortable, quick and easy well fitting pair of leggings and I'll certainly be making more in all lengths over the coming seasons.

For the top I used the Everyday Essentials* pattern bundle. This is again in XS-5X and includes patterns for a sleep bra, cami, nightie and petticoats. The top I made is a little 'hacked' from the pattern. Again I measured in between the XS and S for this (It has now been discovered I missed the note about choosing size based on over bust and had I have done so, I'd have been under the XS sizing - I'll post an update blog as soon as I can showing a well fitting version based on this new knowledge!)  and because I wanted a closer, more supportive fit for the top, I sized down and made the XS.  The 'bra' comes with 3 different pattern pieces for different cups to be worked out by the difference in over and underbust measurements. I have a 2" difference so used the 'average' pattern piece. I then made the neck and armhole bindings both visable and added the bra bottom band without folding it in half to create the contrast. I then sewed on the cami bottom onto that without adjusting for length as I wanted to ruche the sides with clear elastic to help me hide my leftover mummy tummy.  

Whilst I can't comment on fit of the pattern too much as I altered it from the original, I do feel that the top half isn't fitting me great even though I sized down and used the pattern specified cupsize. When I make this next time I have the advantage of having this one as a 'wearable muslin' so I'll know to go down to the smaller cup, take some height out of the shoulders and take the side seams in from the armpit to waist at least.  Obviously it is always advised to make a muslin first so these adjustments are not unrealistic to be expected to do but sadly I didn't have time to do this this time. 

We are super lucky to have several free-to-use gym equipment on our doorstep in our local park so I took the opportunity to test my new clothes out to the max this afternoon and can't wait to make more sets! 

All in all I've had a great time on my first ever blog tour, spending some time making something just for me. Thanks for stopping by, please do check out all the other contributors and their blogs and don't forget there is a 50% off code running until 13th so go treat yourself to some patterns* and fabric, grab a coffee and sew up something just for you!  

Don't miss any of the posts on EYMM's Back to School Tour: Mom's Edition! (Note: the links below will not work until their scheduled day, but feel free to click through and check out the rest of their blogs anytime!)

September 7 Sewing by Ti andSprouting JubeJube and Call Ajaire

September 8 InspinrationandIdlesunshine

September 9 Boutique Birdie and Needles to Say

September 10 Capture, Craft, and Cook and Kelly's Sewing Creations and Lulu & Celeste

September 11 Adventures with Bubba and Bug and Pretty & Precious and MeMade

September 12 Five Blessings and House of Estrela and Rebel & Malice

September 13 Recap at EYMM

The kids are back in school and parents and caregivers everywhere are excited to catch up after summer break! Use coupon code PARENTSROCK to save 50% off any adult-size patterns for men* and women* now through 11:59pm PST Tuesday 9/13/2016. This offer may NOT be combined with other offers including bundles.

Affiliate links included throughout this post marked with an asterisk '*' it costs you nothing extra but means I get a few cent's if you buy the pattern after clicking through.  I would love it if you could use them if this post has inspired you but feel free to navigate there yourself if you prefer! All opinions expressed on my blog are entirely my own. Thanks, Sarah