The Sewing Place
The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Topic started by: SewRuthieSews on July 23, 2018, 08:27:54 AM
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As the hot weather continues I am struggling a bit to find things for work.
The office does have aircon though its a bit patchy, and my car has aircon too. My house however is 1980s and gets quite hot. This is OK at home as can wear shorts, printed viscose trousers etc, but not OK for getting ready for work.
Tops wise I can wear short sleeved tops in breathable fabrics OK. However my normal polyester mix trousers are very sticky when I first get dressed. I'm going to raid the fabric cupboard for thinner but work suitable fabrics and make either culottes or trousers for work.
(My thighs chafe in skirts and dresses, requiring culotte slips, which is an extra layer so not really interested in them.)
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Tried these....?
https://www.mish-online.co.uk/shop/bandelettes/
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Tried these....?
https://www.mish-online.co.uk/shop/bandelettes/
Do they have the silicone inside like hold-up stockings? Not the most comfortable of things to wear.
I am wearing shorts today - the first time this year - only because I hang my summer dresses in the wardrobe in the spare bedroom and we had the GSs overnight, and actually they are feeling warmer than a floaty skirt would.
If you must wear trousers I would suggest wide legs or culottes in lightweight cotton, viscose or linen.
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I've been wearing linen, it creases like crazy but it's cool. I made up some linen/ramie up last week which is also cool, doesn't stick to you and doesn't crease anywhere near as badly as pure linen.
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I have to be tidy at work too SRS, and it's difficult, especially around the leg area. I hope I'll pick up some ideas for cooler fabrics, atm I wear polyester because it doesn't crease, so looks tidy.
I made a pair of ankle length Stylearc Barb at the beginning of the summer, which are great, but looking quite shabby now....
I'm not a shorts person either Brenda, but I have been wearing them around the house, and in the garden - although I do worry about getting bitten.... :S (I attract the flying, biting beasties)
Jessie
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What about a cotton/linen blend? I see lots of that around at the moment - like this (https://www.minervacrafts.com/search?q=cotton+linen+blend) and it's supposed to crease less than linen.
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A cotton crinkle fabric will probably look less wrinkled in wear than one which is supposed to look smooth.
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I love my baggy trousers made in this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cotton-Linen-Fabric-DIY-Material-Craft-for-Dress-T-shirt-Curtain-Cushion-Plain/332360593883?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
it's really cool, nice and crinkly ao [at a pinch] you can dodge the ironing, and feels beautifully breezy
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Would love to know the average postage you have to pay and are you charged customs duty on receipt of goods?
Annieg
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me? No customs so far. THe only times I've ever been hit were for sewing patterns...most annoying!
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Thanks Demented Fairy - my question was directed at your post.
The reason I asked is because the link showed as the fabric coming from China ....
Annie
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Thanks Demented Fairy - my question was directed at your post.
The reason I asked is because the link showed as the fabric coming from China ....
Annie
I've bought this one twice, no customs. In fact I've never had an issue with anything from China, only from the USA
It's lovely fabric
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I agree with what has been said so far, either pure linen or a linen blend such as linen and cotton or linen and viscose are both nice and cool and not quite so creasy as pure linen.
If you are buying from outwith the EU you won't pay customs charges if your purchase is less than £15. Above that and it is a bit hit and miss. Some parcels get through without extra charges some not.
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Linen or linen/cotton is probably your best bet if you can deal with the wrinkles. If not, then tropical wool. Those were pretty much my standard fabrics during our years in Florida (hot and humid).
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Thanks for the replies @DementedFairy and @Tamnymore .
I'll be brave and order some of the fabric from China as it looks really nice.
(In my day-job I am an Export Control Manager and responsible for shipping (high value) stuff all over the world, hence I'm wary of incurring unanticipated Customs charges.
Thanks again.
Annieg
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I've had fabric from China & India too and so far have only been hit with customs from America (touch wood).
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What about a cotton/linen blend? I see lots of that around at the moment - like this (https://www.minervacrafts.com/search?q=cotton+linen+blend) and it's supposed to crease less than linen.
No no no no no - I'm stepping away from the credit card. Backing slowly out the room - and closing the door.
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I just can't imagine how having some sort of band on the thighs is in the least bit comfortable, but each to their own!
The "bit" that rubs is the entire area from crutch to knee so can't see that working for me, thanks for trying to help though.
I'm going to raid the fabric cupboard tonight and see what I can find.
Maybe I can get dressed at the last minute with the fan on and then get out to the car for the aircon, before I turn into a hot sweating mess. Its going to be 30 degrees on Thursday. Not very English at all.
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Had a rustle in the fabric cupboard and found several possible options.
Have decided to start with a charcoal pinstripe linen.
Already prewashed, so good to go.
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Sounds good, @SewRuthieSews . I've made a pair of linen/cotton culottes recently which have been lovely in the hot weather - it was almost shirting weight fabric so very lightweight - the culottes are quite gathered so no see through to worry about. I love them and am on the lookout for more suitable fabric for more.
I have a friend who suffers from rubbing thighs, she suggested trying either deodorant or maybe some medicated foot powder on the sore bits to try and keep them a bit drier.
Good luck!
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(https://thedementedfairy.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/bpzkq1f.jpg?w=256&h=256&crop=1)
Blog post (https://thedementedfairy.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/not-very-rom-these-coms/)
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Linen trousers finished and some cotton ones cut out but not yet started sewing.
Will do a photo and add.
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I know its gotten a bad rap lately, but my aunts used to use a little talc for chub rub. Thinking cornstarch might help too.
I like seersucker, but it may not be professinal enough for your work place. I have found something called corded cotton. It is 100% cotton and quite thin but still opaque. The warp is regularly spaced with a thicker/stronger strand ie the cord. Quite comfortable, to me. 100% linen creases too badly for me but I do like linen/ cotton blend or either fiber with a little polyester or Lycra. Also all year round I love love love cotton/silk blend. Can be a little pricey. Back to the addition of a little poly, for summer I make sure the percentage of poly is around 10%. I dont have an issue with poly but if you do this isnt a good solution. I have some really thin rayons that are good in hot weather. I use them in trouser style fabrics becuase I think the fabric looks better in the fuller leg. Sorry no links because we are on opposite sides of the pond. US sources probably wouldnt help you.
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I've made a couple of pairs of these Hilda bike shorts (https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/patterns/ohhh-lulu-1511-hilda-shorts/252501) in a cotton/bamboo knit. And of course you can adjust the leg length to whatever you want. They are an easy sew and very comfortable under summer dresses.
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In the end I made trousers in linen and cotton from New Look 6216
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfsW2s_lpek/WqrvtAnYixI/AAAAAAAALHk/x6phiiE5uFkGEccVRoUTXarGeqqwjm6DQCLcBGAs/s320/6216.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjG7nYqRCT4/W138kj2xJHI/AAAAAAAALeE/jJ5zlk13YPIN4X6R3CJx5QXHuEc9b1UegCLcBGAs/s320/CharcLinenTrs%2B%25283%2529.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hGebik0PXQ/W2AFrUFHlnI/AAAAAAAALek/YQ17gbLJCHI2IE446_0oh1b0FY6HuRFAQCLcBGAs/s320/BrownLinenMixTrs%2B%25281%2529.JPG)
But had to stop as I've run out of 1" elastic.
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@DementedFairy I've received the fabric from China .. can you do some more thinking for me please and recommend a pattern for this fabric? (I should pay you a consultants fee!) :D
Annieg
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I adore my red fabric made up as Kathryn Brenne trousers with gathered ankle detail...I thought they were way out of my comfort zone, but I want to wear them all the time in this heat!
It's Vogue 9114 and the skirt is another bonus!
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Oh you bad people with your talk of linen - look what you made me do. You made me buy 6 metres of handkerchief linen - how very dare you!