I had just a bit of leftover sweatshirt fleece from the sweatshirt hoodie so I made Samster some funky little sweats.I call them the ‘circle of life sweatpants’ because I wasn’t paying attention when I cut the pieces & the print on half of the front & back is upside down. Everytime I look at them I can’t help but think, “live deer…dead deer”. Morbid, I know, we have a weird sense of humor in our house though because somehow that made them even more endearing to me. (no pun intended)
I also love them because I cut them to have a fitted bum & a wide leg, just like big girl Juicy sweatpants. Except for about $3.I think I’ve been letting her watch too much Project Runway. She’s got the butt-pop pose down pat.
You probably noticed the outside hot pink stitches on the pants…Santa was very good to me & brought me a serger for Christmas. I wanted one because I noticed that after a few washes some of Sam’s homemade clothes would get holes in the seams. It’s pretty frustrating to work so hard on something & not have it last which is why I wanted a serger. Now the reason I haven’t posted about it even though I’ve had it for almost 2 months is because I’ve been too afraid to use the darn thing! I mean look at it, it looks like it wants to eat me!After several weeks of studying the manual & watching videos online I finally decided the best way to learn was the same way I taught myself to sew…just sit there & use the darn thing. Trial & error always works, it may be frustrating & you’ll hit some bumps but after sitting there for a couple of hours after Samster went to bed I can finally say I feel pretty comfortable with it. It will never replace ‘my beloved’ (my sewing machine) but it’s pretty incredible at what it does. It cuts the fabric & basically wraps the edge in a 4 string stitch to make a permanent seam. Just look at the seam inside your clothes…that’s what a serger does. To make the stitches on the outside of the pants I just stitched them wrong sides together instead of right, then I went back & tacked down the seams with a quick topstitch in a matching thread on my regular sewing machine. I LOVE IT! Oh, & the waistband is just a basic elastic waistband but I also threaded a satin ribbon through the waistband (1st I stitched the ribbon to the elastic so it can never be pulled out) & pulled it through a couple of buttonholes in the front of the waistband. It’s functional but more for pretty than anything. I just thought the fuchsia satin ribbon added some nice girliness to the gray animal print fleece.
*Update* A few of you have already asked me about my serger, the brand is Brother and the link is below. My hubby did a good bit of research before deciding which one to get me & I couldn’t be happier. I’m so glad he didn’t go crazy & get a more expensive one. They can get very pricey but honestly this one is perfect for the basic home sewer. Serger prices usually range depending on what they do & how many threads they work with, from what I’ve read anything less than 4 isn’t as sturdy. Mine can work with either 3 or 4 depending on the stitch you’re doing. 5 thread machines are really for a professional business & will costs you over a $1,000. My model came in just under $200.
Gabby
I had that same problem with home made clothes after being washed. What kind of serger did you get, and would you recommend it?
Michelle
Those are so cute and I think it we have similar senses of humor because I find that hilarious lol
Char @ Crap I've Made
I have that same serger and I love it. It's basic, but does everything I'll ever need.
Lily Ruth's Mama
I WANT A SERGER! Especially after these pants and Lil Blue Boo's t-shirt dresses that are serged… jealous over here!
Janel
Ok – its official – My next purchase is a serger! Those pants are A-DORABLE! Tutorial?? PLEASE?!?!? (this is what begging looks like).
Mauri
Adorable! I love my serger too. It saves me so much time!
daniiiβ₯
Adorable!!
jess
i LOVE the hot pink stitching! so jealous of your serger…that's next on my list!
Tiffany
So cute! I've been wanting a serger but have been a little intimidated by them! What kind did you get?
Natasha
Gabby, if you do a good bit of sewing than I'd SO recommend a serger. You don't need anything crazy though for just homemade stuff, they can get really expensive. Mine is a Brother model, I'll put an update on the blog post with a link…
Alex
Ok question. It's funny you mentioned the serger today because in some of the craft/sewing blogs I drool over this week sergering (is that a word) was mentioned and I am so sewing illiterate that I was like "Serger wha?" So I'm so ready to purchase all my equipment and I'm researching sewing machines and what not. So is a serger in addition to a sewing machine or in lieu of? Thanks!
Natasha
Hi Alex-
It's in addition to, it really is just for seams. You'll still need your sewing machine for all the basics & things like ruffles, applique & anything detailed. I would recommend getting a good sewing machine and getting really comfortable with it first, then I would move on to a serger to compliment your work. Hope that helps!
Frugal Home Design
Those are so cute. I love the pink accent.
Alex
Thanks so much Natasha!
Skitzo Leezra Studio
I have the same serger and love it. STILL learning what it can do and totally recommend trying the rolled hem stitch. Here is a link to my first try.
http://skitzoleezrastudio.blogspot.com/2009/01/serger-magic.html
emma_G
My mom has a brother serger (we call them overlockers in australia though). She LOVES hers she also has a brother sewing machine great brand and she uses both of them all the time.
And those pants are adorable I'm going to show my mom these pants and get her to make my 2yo some π
Mandy
I love my serger as well – but I've never done the stitch on the outside of the seam – love that look!!
Char @ Crap I've Made
Side note: Don't buy from Amazon if you want a warranty. I had a tension disc issue when mine was about 3 months old and discovered that Amazon is NOT an authorized seller so I was out of luck.
Lila Jo
I just recently borrowed my mom's 24 year-old serger, and love the finished product… it's just a nightmare to thread. {And needs rethreaded after every third seam} Looking into this model now! Thanks!
Jennifer
That's the model I have in mind as well. I did a ton of review research and that one got rave reviews on multiple sites. I did read that you can often get it on sale through walmart.com (even though they carry it in-store) and have it sent site to store for free. Otherwise it's usually 199.99 most places that carry it. I'm so happy to hear you like it. I totally feel I have made the right decision. Thanks for posting about it! BTW…the pant's are so cute and I dig the opposite's. It gives it style!
thesleepyknitter
I have that same serger model and love it. I had it for about six months before I worked up the nerve to try it. Like you, I finally decided I had to "sit down and do it" if I was going to get any use out of it. Used old tee shirts and made some dresses for my daughter that she only wore one time — just for the pictures! π — but I was still glad to finally be doing something with the serger. Still have a lot to learn, though!
Ellie
those are lovely π
i have a love/hate relationship with my serger lol, i really struggle to get the tension perfect and it just winds me up π give me a sewing machine any day, at least i can work those hehe x