When we sew garments, we’re sewing to fit our bodies. And that would be quite a bit easier if our bodies didn’t keep changing all the time, amirite?! For many women, there may be a significant change at least once a month. So Helena and I decided to discuss sewing for menstruation and menopause on our latest episode of the Clothes Making Mavens. We talk with Erin Van Handel of the sewing blog Sie Macht, who inspired the discussion with her post Sew with the Flow: sewing for your period. The three of us talk about garments and accessories to sew that might make us feel comfier during that time of the month. We hear from Erin Beauchamp about her successful quest to sew the perfect period underwear. And Barbara Emodi drops some humourous wisdom on the subject. Have a listen!

And don’t forget how much we love to hear from YOU on the podcast! We have some questions we’d like you to answer, and we’ll include you in an upcoming episode. We decided to revisit the “most embarrassing make” question — you know, the thing you sewed and wore out, maybe even proudly, but in hindsight it was pretty awful — as well as the make you’re most proud of. So why don’t you hit record on the free Voice Recorder app on your phone, answer these questions, and send them in to clothesmakingmavens [at] gmail [dot] com? Or you can call our voice mail and leave a message: +1-401-64MAVEN. And don’t worry, if you stumble over anything, I’ll edit it out — you’ll sound great!

By the way, here is my most embarrassing make, that I actually wore to WORK:

Aside from all the wavy, wrinkly hems (that fabric was a bitch to sew), I actually thought this was a cute, sporty-looking dress, so I *thought* I was rocking it like this:

…when really I looked more like this:

Wah-wah-wah. I shouldn’t have given this to Goodwill — it might have made a good Hallowe’en costume!

So now you gotta tell me: what’s your most embarrassing make you wore out of the house?

On the our Sew with the Flow podcast episode I mention that I sewed a pair of Mama Bear Joggers by Patterns for Pirates…here they are!

I’m so pleased with them! I used bamboo French terry and they’re like wearing butter. Mmmm.

The yoga waistband is the best — so, so comfortable. I like the look better than an elastic waist and it’s easier to sew, too.

The pattern provides a lot of different options. I did the high-rise, full-length version with slat front pockets, cuffs, and yoga band.

I was able to use up some lightweight black jersey leftover from shortening a dress for a friend for the pocket lining. (A rare occasion when I’m actually able to use up the scraps I feel too guilty to do anything with except hoard them.) Using the lighter fabric rather than the french terry helps to cut down a little on extra bulk in the pockets that might show through at the front.

These were a fast and easy make, done entirely with my serger (no twin-needle hemming required). I highly recommend the pattern!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

— Lori