Hi all,
I’ve been getting a bit perplexed with the word “hack” just
lately. To me, “hack” means a number of things. To “hack” at something means to
chop it unevenly. Going out on a “hack” is when you take a horse ride in the
country. Hacking is when someone breaks into a computer and steals or alters
information. So, apart from the horse example, “hack” means to make a complete
mess of something. Although, thinking
about it, horses get pretty messy on hacks…
Anyway, it seems just in the last few months or so, more and
more people are using the word “hack” in relation to crafting and sewing. I’ve read a few blogs where people have been
explaining the steps they took in their “hack” of a pattern. Or describing
their hack of a coat. Even cooking is getting in on the act. An article in The
Daily Mail today reported on “50 Culinary Hacks to Make You Look a Pro in The Kitchen”.
Yet, the pictures of the crafts look lovely, the sewing
exquisite and the food? Well, I’m not sure cooking cheese with an iron will
catch on. Particularly if you forget what you used the iron for when running it
over your favorite shirt. But, it’s an interesting idea.
So what is it with this word, “hack”? Surely, they're not
boasting about illegally accessing someone’s computer designs? Then it dawned
on me. Like a little light bulb going “ting!"
It’s not chopping or messing or
even dodgy activities with a keyboard and mouse. They are describing their
“take” on something. Giving the steps needed to re-create their version of a
design. Showing that personal touches and little embellishments can be added to
shop bought patterns to make a home-made item unique. I’m still digesting the iron and the cheese
scenario. Not really sure it would still be edible. The cheese that is, not
the iron. I wouldn’t want to make a hack of my digestive system 😀.
OK., so “hack” means to “take”. Now I get it. Well, in that
case, this is my take of Simplicity’s It’s so Easy Pattern 2116. And boy, did I
make a right hack of it. A total and utter screw-up from start to finish.
It’s been chilly lately. I normally wear a tee-shirt style
nightshirt & shorts, but I wanted some PJ bottoms to keep me warm. I didn’t have
enough fabric so decided to get a bit creative by using what I had
available. There wasn’t much. I really
need to up my stash a bit.
Looks a bit weird but sewn up it becomes a nice colorful
pair of jim-jam trousers to keep the cold at bay.
I didn’t have enough fabric to fold it to cut 2 like the
instructions said. I cut them out one at a time. There was just enough for two leg parts on the yellow and just one leg piece each on the pink and blue. The pink and blue Stars and Moons has been in my stash for years and I’ve been,
e-hem, hacking into it for other projects over time.
This is a nice simple pattern with only 2 pattern pieces for
the trousers. That’s just 4 pieces of fabric. Easy peasy. What could possibly
go wrong?
I’d sewn both inside legs together before I noticed that I
should have turned the pattern over after cutting one back and one front piece.
Two of the pieces needed to be reversed. As it was I had two identical fronts
and two identical backs. That makes two left legs. Or two right legs. No good
at all when you need one of each for a pair.
With no extra fabric to play with, I had to do the
unthinkable. I had to use the wrong side as the right side so that the center
seam would match up.
The good news is
that the pink and blue fabrics are printed on both sides so it’s not that easy
to tell that it’s inside out. As my Dad
always used to say, “it’s one of them things no-one’s going to notice going by
on a bus.” He has a point and as I don’t live on a bus route, I think my
jim-jams will be OK.
Looking on the bright side, using the wrong side of the
fabric has toned down the pink somewhat. Can’t help thinking that it’s a pity
the yellow wasn’t printed on both sides though … Still, at least I can say that I have a personal and unique hack of a pattern.
Bye for now
Olly
Facebook.com/olwenwhite/
instagram.com/olwenwhitewrites/
Twitter @OlwenWhite
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