Skinny Pants

Jodi of Jocole hit it out of the park with this pattern. Skinny pants. Not jeans... pants. I feel like they're capturing my style but a bit more grown up and lady like... does that make sense?

Pattern: Jocole Skinny Pant is available June 20-27 as part of the bundle up pattern sale here. After that it will be available at Jocole.
Textiles Used: Waverly Home Decor print. Though I would not recommend this or use it again. This specific one is dry clean only and when ironed started showing spots... so I had to use a press cloth. Luckily the print is so busy you don't notice.
Sizing: I currently have been making a size 10 with the waist tapered in another inch.
The Good: This pattern uses a knit waistband. I loved that and it's so comfy to wear. These are simple pants that once you've fit your muslin and marked/cut adjustments into your paper pattern they sew up super quickly.
The Bad: Um making a muslin? It can be a frustrating process but worth it.
Changes Made: Altered sizing here and there for my body type. Also added exposed zippers to the ankles for fun... but they get lost in my busy print.
Changes For Next Time: I might take in the calves a bit more... they seem a bit more straight leg than skinny. I like them... I'm just not used to wearing pants that don't fit like they were painted on ;)
Conclusion: I love them. I love the print matching I did on my pockets. I'm wanting to make more and more. I want to make a black pair out of cotton sateen, bright yellow, blue/white ikat... hot pink?

Track Pants V8909

Well, I never recapped my MeMadeMay posts... I might do that soon but if you want to see them check out my instagram feed. 

I said it was the year of the pants... and it's turning into the year of the pants. I've sewn 4 pairs of pants already this year. I'm wearing my latest make as I sit and type this... Now I just need to make blouses to go with all these new pants.

 

Pattern: Vogue Pants Pattern 8909
Size Cut: I cut a size medium and then ended up making my seam allowances larger to slim them down. Next time I'll cut the small. 
Textiles Used: black rayon that I found at Hancock Fabrics.
The Good: I really like this pattern. It sews up easy enough and is both casual and fun... which fits my lifestyle.
The Bad: I'm not a fan of sewing all the small and numerous elastic casings... next time I'll just do a wider elastic in the waistband but still do triple elastic in the ankle cuffs because I like the look.
Changes Made: I didn't add the drawstring and then I raised the inseam 2 inches up into the crotch... does that make sense? The pants hit too high up on my stomach for my liking so to lower them I shortened the rise by raising the inseam.
Changes for Next Time: I'll be shortening the rise by about 2 inches on the front and back.
Conclusion: These are comfy easy to wear pants. I'm making them again soon... in leopard. Because of course I *need* leopard track pants ;) 

Wide Leg Linen Pants

So I had to mend a suit jacket for my husband last night. Famous last words: "it'll just take 5 minutes..." Ha! I had to unpick the machine stitching and just hand stitch because it needed to look good and now I told him he has to baby that jacket.

Also, recently, I cut my hair even more. I'm still getting used to it but I love having short easy hair to manage. I've been making lots of earrings lately to feminize my look. I'll blog about them soon... when I can get the husband to photograph me wearing them. Oh and I got a remote and tripod so the pics below were taken by me. Hard to make sure you're in the frame and focused but I'll get it.

My cousin, the woman/mastermind behind Jocole, has been on a roll with her pattern releases lately. The newest one are these wide leg pants. They're great and can be made in a woven or knit. And palazzo pants are coming back ya'll so this would be a perfect pattern... just use a silky woven with good drape. Anyway here are my pics and review. Don't sew? These are available in my etsy shop.

  

Pattern Description: Ladies Wide leg Pants

These sneaky pants look super classy but feel comfy like pajamas ... shhhhh, we won't tell on you. 

Pull-on wideleg pants features an easy-on, comfortable, knit waistband (skinny, regular or fold-over -- wear yoga waistband up for more coverage and support).

The Wideleg version is straight down from the hips and Super Wide leg version is flared out below the hip.

Patterns includes 5 length length options: short length and capri length options, and Petites, Regular and Tall full length.

This pattern is QUICK to make.  The hardest and most time consuming part is printing, taping and cutting -- but it sews together fast.
 Pattern Sizing: XS - XXXL. I cut the Medium. When choosing which size my waist and upper hip are a medium but the widest part of my body would have put me in a large. I could have graded into the large but I measured the pattern pieces and felt there was enough ease to just stick with the medium and that worked out for me. If you're unsure you can always make a muslin in the short length.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Love this pattern! It sews up so quickly just like the description says. They're comfy and look nice. I can't wait to make a khaki version or maybe white for summer. Also... maybe I'll actually try that palazzo pant trend with this pattern... who knows.
Fabric Used: Linen/rayon blend so I'd have less wrinkles. Also my knit waistband seems closer to a rib knit.

 
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added patch pockets, and now the pattern includes patch pockets and instructions to add them. Love that!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes.
Conclusion: It's a great pattern and sews up quickly and everyone who tested loved them. I'll be making more.

Leopard Leggings

I have a dress that just needs to be hemmed and photographed... can't wait to share it... but in the meantime I thought I would share a past project.

I was able to test a legging pattern for Jocole and found the perfect leopard print while shopping at Joann Fabrics... they don't have it anymore.

The pattern was a cinch to whip up.  I used wider elastic for my waistband because I like something a bit more substantial around that part of my body. To accommodate the elastic I added an inch to the rise.

I love them and they're super comfy. Unfortunately I made them right before springtime came so I'm not wearing them right now... but come fall I might not take them off. I really need to make a black loose-fit chiffon blouse to go with these and then pair them up with some black ankle boots. Can't wait.