Summer Sewing with Ellie and Mac

Aaah, summer!  I love these early days of summer when it’s not too hot and not cold…mostly the not cold part…I also love that it’s time to put away the bulky clothes and pull out the shorts and tee’s.  Or in my daughter’s case, the rompers!  She has some sort of love affair with rompers and would wear one every day of the week if she could.  So, when Lo from Seams Sew Lo put out the call for the Ellie and Mac Get Ready for Summer Tour…why, yes, please!  I’m super excited to be one of the stops on the tour!  Nay went round and round on what pattern she wanted most, and she landed on the Sunshine Romper.  I do want to add a disclaimer that I received the pattern for free, but all opinions in this post are my own.  This post also contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission when you order through my link.

This romper is super cute!  You have a one shoulder bodice with bubble shorts…and my daughter is crazy about these!  I think she has 5 of them now with at least two more that she wants before the summer fully arrives.  I even let her pick her own fabrics, and she went with a Peek A Boo Pattern Shop panel with red and blue solids. 

Ok, so this pattern:

• Very large size range: starts at 2T and goes up to 12
• One shoulder bodice with a strap option for the open shoulder
• Bubble shorts
• Two waistband styles
• NO TRIM pages (can I get a woot woot!)
• Layered printing so you just print what you need
• A0 print shop pattern pieces so you can have the entire pattern at once
• Step by step instructions with photos if you’re like me and need a visual

This pattern is designed for knits, and you really want to pay attention to the stretch recovery.  If you have a fabric with not so great recovery, the bodice will end up stretched out by the end of the day and there will be no modesty at all.

Like I said, we opted for a panel for the bodice front and went with solids for everything else.  I sized mine as an 8 with 10 length because Nay is in a weird in between size with her clothes.  It was a little long on her, but here in about a month, it will be perfect!

I usually measure her legs and cut to her leg for the elastics, but I went a little wider so that she would have some room to move.  She has a few that are cut to her leg width and loves them, but she wanted something a little looser about the legs since we’re going to a fair with her grandparents for the 4^th of July.  I also opted for the straight waistband on this one but I still added the elastic to give it a little bit of structure.

This pattern is a pretty quick sew.  I think I completed this one start to finish in about an hour.  It was the perfect project to fit in between a meeting and having to pick up the kids…I had a total of 5 pattern pieces (6 if you use a shoulder strap), and with the no trim pattern pieces it was pretty fast work to piece together.  I think the longest part of the process was gathering my shorts so really fast sew, and I do see a lot of these making their way into our summer wardrobe here! 

Lindsey has some really great patterns for the summer so hop on over to Ellie and Mac Patterns and take a look at her entire collection!  She also makes boys patterns (my son is super upset that I didn’t make him something yet so I might be doing another blog post with some Ellie and Mac for him)!  AND all patterns are on sale right now, no coupon needed…just sayin’… 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Like I said, I’m just today’s stop on the tour.  Don’t miss out on the amazingness from the other ladies on the tour!  Here’s the schedule for the Ellie and Mac Summer Tour…oh, and a chance to enter for a giveaway to win $50 store credit to Ellie and Mac!

1. May 7th: Seams Sew Lo
2. May 8th: Tenille's Thread
3. May 9th: Seams Sew Lo
4. May 10th: The Sewing Goatherd
5. May 11th: Aurora Designs Fabrics
6. May 14th: Our Play Place
7. May 15th: Momma Can Make It
8. May 16th: Aurora Designs Fabric
9. May 17th: QuiltsbyJoann
10. May 18th: Liviality
11. May 19th: Momma You Can Make It
12. May 21st: Margarita on the Ross
13. May 22nd: Sewing Blue
14. May 23rd: Kathy's Kwilts and More
15. May 24th: Momma Newey's Makes
16. May 25th: Jot Designs USA
17. May 28th: The Scatty Sewer
18. May 29th: Granma Texas Sews
19. May 30th: Fee Bricolo
20. May 31st: My Sewing Roots

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much to Lo for hosting this tour and to Lindsey for sponsoring this tour!  Also, thanks again to you for stopping by and please take some time to check out the other stops on the tour!  You won’t be disappointed, and we’d love for you to come visit all of us!

Blessings and Happy Sewing,

Kim

Victory with the Victoire (La Femme Collection from Laela Jeyne)

Are we safe to say that winter is finally getting evicted?  I’m scared to jinx it, but here in Oklahoma, it sure feels a lot like summer is right around the corner!  I decided that I’m going to try something new this year and get myself into some dresses…a far cry from my usual sweaties and tee combo (which, by the way, I count as pretty stylish).  Marisa, from Laela Jeyne Patterns, announced that she was planning to do a women’s collection, and one of the dresses was a button down summer dress.  It, like the rest of the collection, is amazing!  I think I have four of these dresses now, each in a different type of fabric.  I’m contemplating a denim and lace one in the near future…

SOO, when Marisa sent an invite out to join her La Femme Collection Blog Tour, I was down for it immediately!  I decided to make myself another Victoire dress for the tour, but I cannot wait to grab the other patterns and get sewing on the other ones as well.  I do want to add a disclaimer that I am an affiliate with Laela Jeyne so I do receive a small commission for any pattern you buy using my affiliate links.

Hi, everyone, I’m Kim from Nini and Ash, and I’m one of the day two stops on the tour!  I’ve already seen some of the other outfits the ladies on the tour have made, and you aren’t going to want to miss the amazingness that is.  I’m pretty stoked to be a part of the tour with the rest of these talented ladies.

Like I said, I made a Victoire dress, but first, let’s get some pattern details on the table so you know what you’re working with here:

- There is a huge size range on this pattern.  It starts at size 00 and goes up to 26.

- Bodice pieces in different cup sizes so you can get the perfect fit

- Two length options: mini and tea

- Two strap options: you can use either 2 or 4 straps

- Optional bodice ruffle

- Extremely clear and concise directions and illustrations for each step

- No trim pages…can I get an AMEN on this one?

There are a lot of options on this dress so you can literally make over a week’s worth of dresses and never have the same one twice.  I have one in faux suede, one in a medium weight cotton, one in lightweight woven, and the one I featured here with a silk/cotton blend from Boho Fabrics.  This one is probably my favorite, though.  It’s so soft and drapey.  The fabric was a double border print so I used both sides to make the dress, and it came out exactly as I pictured in my head.

I ended up blending sizes for mine because I fell right in between a size 16 and 18 on measurements.  The straps are designed to be a little longer at first so that you can measure the exact length for your comfort.  I was going to hack this to make ties for the shoulders, but I decided that I love the look of the solid straps so I stuck to the pattern as drafted. 

Construction took a little longer for this one to piece together the cups, but man, it sure is worth that little extra time because it fits me like a glove.  I usually have issues with my bust because I’m a little smaller chested.  I measured as a B cup, and it was spot on.  There's also a little bit of ruching on the cups, and I love the way it looks when it's done.  You will want to get yourself a strapless or those stick on bra cups because the straps will show or in my case, the top of the bra poked out the top.  I think some of the ladies were looking at how to do a bra connected to the dress as well so that might be an option for my next one.  I also took a bit of length from the bodice because I measure in at 5’1” on a good day.  The pattern is drafted for a 5’5” woman, and I sure wish I had those extra 4 inches sometimes. 

I will say that you want to be pretty deliberate about buttons because you’ll get some separation on the button placket if you don’t place them just right.  I pinned my placket in place first so that I could figure out exactly where I wanted the snaps.  Yup, I went there…I used snaps.  I had buttons picked out but the kids wanted to help with the buttons.  My daughter chose light pink, and my son chose royal blue and orange (because, OKC Thunder, Mom!).  We went with pink, and I made a mental note to not ask my son for fashion advice in future.  I chose the mini length because I wanted to have something a little shorter for the hot weather we get here in the summertime. 

I’m pretty stoked about this dress!  It’s gorgeous in pretty much every fabric I tried.  Marisa really does go above and beyond to make sure that her patterns fit every body type and are easy to blend because, let’s face it, MOST of us are a blend of different sizes. 

Faux suede version

Like I said earlier, I’m one of the day two stops, so there are several other ladies who have joined the tour and made up some beautiful items for the tour.  Please be sure to stop in and show them some love.   This is our tour schedule for this week! After the tour has finished, you can view all of the links shown.

Laela Jeyne Patterns La Femme Collection Blog Tour

May 1

Madame Stoff - Tester Round Up

May 2

Sew Ingridd - Nini and Ash

May 3

Once Upon a Sewing Machine - Sea of Estrogen

May 4

Just Delphine - Flax Field Sewing

There’s also a coupon code that you can use on the webstore that will get you $3 off your order.  Just use the code LAFEMME.  This code is only good until May 30^th so don’t miss your chance to save some money!  You can view the entire La Femme Collection at the webstore as well to see what other patterns you need from this new collection!  There are four pieces total, and you've already seen the Victoire.  Here's a little info about the other pieces in the collection!

- Cosette blouse: sizes range from 00-26 with cup sizes for A-E, 2 sleeve options (short or 3/4), 2 collar options (Peter Pan or scarf), button back closure, no trim pattern pieces

- Lea Swimsuit: sizes range from 00-26 with cup sizes for A-E, two views: with or without lace panel, optimal rear coverage, criss cross back straps

- Josephine Dress:  sizes range from 00-26 with cup sizes for A-E, designed for medium to heavy weight knits, two views (open V-back and boatneck), princess seamed bodice

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and please be sure to visit the other stops to see what other lovelies you can make with the new La Femme Collection!

Blessings and Happy Sewing,

Kim

Easter Blog Tour with Handmaiden's Cottage (Tattered Petals Dress)

Well, I blinked, and it is already March.  With Easter just on the horizon, I was already running through what kind of dress to make my daughter.  Every year, the kids get a special outfit to wear to our Resurrection Sunday service, and this year, I am so excited that Lo, from Seams Sew Lo, made it easy for me to get motivated with the Handmaiden’s Cottage Easter blog tour.  I love the Handmaiden's Cottage so I jumped on board right away, and my daughter started looking at patterns.  She decided on the Tattered Petals dress. 

I was a little surprised at her choice because she isn’t usually very girly, but she was head over heels about this dress so we went with it.  I would like to add a little disclaimer right now that I was provided the pattern for free as part of the tour, but the opinions expressed are 100% my own.

So, first things first, some pattern details to give you a good idea of what you are getting with this pattern:

• Size range is 2T – 8 so you can use this pattern for a good while if you’re daughter is still young!
• Tiered dress or overdress and pettiskirt set
• Tattered fabric flower tutorial
• Photographs for each step (which I love because I’m very visual)
• A general instructions section which shows different gathering and hem techniques
• Very clear, concise instructions that you will find standard in all Handmaiden’s Cottage patterns

Okay, so now that you know what you’re getting with this pattern, let’s talk a little about it!  We went with a white and silver fabric from Hobby Lobby and a white pettiskirt.  Usually, I lean toward something a little brighter for Easter, but this dress…it turned out gorgeous!!!

My daughter wanted the overdress and petti, and I love that the two pieces are separate because she can wear them separately after Easter, and we essentially have a stand alone skirt in addition to her beautiful dress!  After adding the petti, the dress needed over 5 yards of fabric for the dress, but that wasn’t surprising given the fullness of this beauty.  AND, it's completely worth it because this dreass is wondermous!

The neckline is created using a casing and elastic, and I can’t even tell you how easy it was to put the bodice together.  Everyone ooh’ed and aah’ed over the dress when we were doing photos, and one of my friends said it would have taken her a year to get through the bodice.  Not so, my friends!  It was super easy, and the instructions make it very simple to understand what you need to do!

Now, the skirt…personally, I would recommend you use a gathering foot or ruffler because there are a lot of gathered pieces.  It is definitely do-able to gather them by hand; it will just take a little longer.  I’m an impatient crafter/sewist so I opted for a ruffler foot to make the gathers.  The general  instructions offer three different ways to gather so can choose the one you like best!

My serger is in the shop because, um, I missed a pin and hit it so yeah…we went with the narrow hem option for this dress.  It’s pretty simple do, and it gives you another option for hemming if you don’t have access to a serger.  Hemming options are also part of the general instructions so you have three options to choose from for hemming.

The pattern calls for belt loops made of ribbon, and I did cut them, but when I finished my dress and proudly showed my daughter, she asked me where the belt loops are.  Well, child, they would be on the cutting table where I left them when I didn’t add them. :/!  Sooo, yes, there should be loops for the sash, but I forgot to sew them in.  We also didn’t use fabric for the sash because we had some a turquoise satin ribbon that my daughter wanted instead.  I originally had a pink one, and then she decided that’s too girly…even though the miles of ruffled dress aren’t.  Gotta love it…I did make her a tattered flower to put in her hair, and she had none of it, so we compromised and I clipped it to the back of the sash in place of a bow.  I kinda love it...

I’m super excited that my daughter was all about this dress, AND we have a gorgeous Easter dress that’s already done!  I highly recommend the Tattered Petals Dress...with so many options, there's no end to the different looks you can come up with.  Now, let’s take a look at how you can get your copy of the pattern!  There’s also a coupon code and giveaway!

So, Handmaiden’s Cottage has both a website and an Etsy store.  You can use coupon code EasterTour2018 for 30% off in both places.  This sale will run until midnight EST on March 12^th so don’t miss out on your chance to grab some of the beautiful patterns that they have while they are on sale!

As I said earlier, I'm only one stop on the blog tour.  We have several designers who hopped on board and created some pretty stunning pieces for their Easter celebration. You won't want to miss out on seeing their creations so please take a sec to head on over and visit with them.  Here's a copy of the full schedule so you can keep up on who's up each day:

1. March 1st: Seams Sew Lo
2. March 2nd: Miinoma Studio
3. March 3rd: Momma You Can Make It
4. March 4th: Kate Will Knit
5. March 5th: Kathy's Kwilts and More
6. March 6th: Granma Texas Sews
7. March 7th: Our Play Place
8. March 8th: Aurora Designs
9. March 9th: Frullemieke
10. March 10th: My Sewing Roots
11. March 11th: Manning the Machine
12. March 12th: Seams Sew Lo (Round Up)

Don't forget that there's also a giveaway going on right now that you can enter to win $50 in credit to Handmaiden's Cottage!  I'm addicted to patterns and fabric so this is a fantastical giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for following along, and I do have a to give a huge shout out to Seams Sew Lo and Handmaiden's Cottage for sponsoring this tour and providing me some motivation to get moving on my Easter sewing!  We hope you will stop by and see the other stops on the tour and maybe find yourself some inspiration for your Easter sewing!

Blessings and Happy Sewing,
Kim

Walking back in time with Tilly (Tilly Dress from MCM Studio Designs)

 I really do think I was born in the wrong era for fashion.  I’m obsessed with vintage styles so when Linda from MCM Studio Designs put out the tester call for the Tilly Dress, I was so excited to apply.  This dress is so so sweet and fit right into my obsession.   I made one for my niece, and she was so excited that she walked around the house showing everyone how “pitty her fowers” were.

Let’s talk about pattern details really quick:

• Size ranges from 2T-6
• Option for single skirt or double skirt
•  Sleeve flounces
• Back ribbon tie so no zips or buttons
• Detailed illustrations for each step

My niece is a little so we did a size 2T for her, and she’s all about anything girly so I went with a cream underskirt and a pretty floral that I found at JoAnn’s.  It was perfectly darling for this dress.  We also did the double skirt option because I loved the look of it in the illustrations.

The pattern is rated as an intermediate level pattern, and I agree with that rating.  Some of the techniques used in the construction, HOWEVER, if an adventurous beginner wanted to tackle this pattern, I do think that it can be done.  And if you hit a speed bump, there are a lot of ladies on the chit chat group that would be able to help you through it. 

Construction is actually lot easier than it looks when the dress is done.  I love that part because it looks like it was so hard make, but Linda makes the dress construction simple and easy.  I also love that there are options for a single skirt and a double skirt so that this dress can easily be made for everyday wear or for dressier occasions.

The Tilly Dress just released today (19 Feb), and it’s on sale through the 25^th for $5.  If you join the MCM Facebook group, there’s also a code there where you can get an extra 10% off if you buy through Etsy or the MCM Studio Designs webstore.   Here are the links for each of the places where you can buy your copy of the Tilly Dress today:

MCM Studio Designs: http://themerrychurchmouse.com/patterns/the-tilly-dress

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/594896067/mcm-studio-designs-tilly-dress-pdf

Craftsy: https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/patterns/the-tilly-dress/564550

Don't forget to stop on by and join Linda's FB group to grab your coupon code and connect with other ladies who are fans of MCM Studio Designs.  We'd love to see your Tilly Dress and other MCM creations!  Thanks so much for stopping in!

Blessings and Happy Sewing,
Kim

Springtime State of Mind (Get Ready for Spring with Ellie and Mac)

So, just as we were getting used to the mild winter here in Oklahoma, February hits and we’re down to the teens some days.  I’m going to ignore it for now and focus on spring wardrobes!!  The Get Ready for Spring with Ellie and Mac tour that Seams Sew Lo is sponsoring was the perfect fix to my winter blah’s.  I am so excited to be today’s stop on the tour, and I’m so glad that you’ve stopped in to visit!  

My kids were all over it when I told them to pick out some fabrics for spring outfits.  My son went straight for the knits and found himself some cat fabric for his Conner shorts and Half Pipe tee.  My daughter decided to go a little more spring-y and chose a green with butterflies and hummingbirds for her Be Curious dress.  We originally planned for green to go with it, but she later decided on yellow because “pops more” (wiping away a little tear of pride here).

So, let’s start with the Conner shorts and Half Pipe tee that my son chose.  These are both knit patterns, and they are perfect for any kiddo who’s always on the move.  They are both pretty easy to sew up so these would be perfect for someone who’s ready to give knits a try and wants something quick and simple to make! 

The Conner shorts come in sizes 6-12mos through 10 while the Half Pipe (which happens to be unisex) ranges from 12mos to 14.  You’ll get some pretty good mileage from both of these patterns given the size range.  My son is a size 6 RTW, and the 6 in these patterns fit him perfectly.

He looks like he's up to no good here, but I promise he isn't!!

Both patterns are super quick to sew with the Conner having one pattern piece and the Half Pipe having 4.  I think the whole outfit took me about an hour to sew, and that’s only because I had to re-do the back of the shirt when I sewed one of the pieces inside out.  I used a Doodles fabric from JoAnn’s and a smoother, lighter yellow that I have no idea the source.  It was in my stash.  My son told me the best part is that he can wear the shorts either way since they don’t have a front or back on them…always thinking about how he can avoid changing his clothes if he doesn’t have to…

As I said, the Half Pipe is unisex so you can absolutely make this shirt for girls as well!  You have both long and short sleeve options, a solid or piece back , and optional applique sets if you want to do some cool stuff to showcase the colorblocked pieces.  I even saw some photos where ladies had used panels to mix and match for some really amazing results.

My son was over the moon in love with this outfit and had planned to wear it to church tonight until he found out it’s going to be freezing by 7PM.

Now, my daughter took more time to figure out what she wanted.  She’s kind of torn between totally tomboy to mostly tomboy with a dash of girl.  In the end, she went all the way to girly and chose the Be Curious Dress.  I personally LOVE this pattern.  It’s a gorgeous dress, and it’s perfect as a dressier outfit or as just a cute dress for everyday play.

The Be Curious is designed for cotton woven fabric, and it comes in sizes 12mos-12.  My daughter is in an 8 right now so I’m glad that I have a few more years with this dress.  She picked the flounce for the sleeves and asked if I could do a band on the bottom instead of a ruffle.  I used the ruffle piece to cut the bands and just modified the length to match the skirt bottom.  The end result ended up being the vintage length dress that made my daughter’s day. 

The pattern itself does not include instructions for the band, but it’s easy enough to do if you decide you want to go that route.  If you don't want the vintage look with the band, I would definitely suggest adding length to the skirt…or making a wider band.  I just folded the ruffle piece in half to make mine.

The dress took me a little bit longer because of the lined bodice and gathered skirt, but a confident beginner could easily take on this project.  I personally loved the button up back and the sleeve flounces.   I had intended to make some fabric covered buttons to match the dress, but I’ll just admit it now, I got lazy and went with little clear buttons instead.  I even used the sewing machine to put the buttons on because I didn’t want to find my hand sewing needles.  Super lazy, I know.  BUT, I loved the way it looked on the dress so I’m claiming that was intentional.  My daughter loved the length.  It was a happy accident that it was vintage length, but I'm also claiming that as intentional.

I was only going to do the two outfits for my kiddos, but I decided to add a dress that I made last week for me.  The Sunset Dreams Dress is probably one of my favorite makes for myself.  It’s a knit pattern, and it comes in sizes XXS to 4XL.  I made mine in a L graded to an XL, and it was oh so comfortable.  The fabric is a really light weight drapey fabric so I used a little heavier knit to line the bodice. 

I love that I have options…who doesn’t love options?  The pattern has 5 length options:  mini, mid thigh, petite, regular, and tall.  I made the petite because I’m 5’1 on a good day.  By ready to wear standards, 5’3 is petite so I’m shorter than a petite.  If I ever need a reminder that I’m short, putting on petite pants that are too long does it every time.  However, in this dress, the petite came to right above the knee.  YESSS!!  Perfect length. 

I used fabric straps with elastic, but you also have the option of using decorative elastic instead of fabric.  I ended up cutting about 4 ½” off my straps so definitely try the bodice on and pin the straps to it before you sew it together to get an idea of where to attach the straps.  I would also recommend putting it on with your bra so that you can move the straps around to where they will cover your straps.  I didn’t even think about that when I put my straps on so every once in a while my straps peek out. 

I really do love this dress, and as soon as I get the chance, I’m going to order some more knit to make me a few more of these before the warm weather hits again!

Now, let’s get some info here on how to get your copy of the patterns (patterns are 35% off all February. Automatically applies when you add them to your cart so no coupon code needed!) and how you can enter the giveaway that’s going on right now!  Please note that all pattern links in this post are affiliate links.  This means that I may receive a commission (at no cost to you) from your purchase of these patterns using the links I provide.  Just click on the pattern name and you’ll go straight to the pattern link:

Boys Conner Shorts:  Sizes 6-12mos through 10, designed for knit, one pattern piece, great for mixing and matching prints/colors, fast easy sew

Unisex Half Pipe Tee: Sizes 12mos through 14, designed for knit, pieced front bodice, short or long sleeves, optional hand applique sets, options for solid or pieced back bodice

Be Curious Dress: Sizes 12mos through 12, designed for cotton woven, vintage or knee length, ruffled or straight hem, four sleeve optons: long, flounced long, flounce only, sleeveless.

Sunset Dreams Dress: Sizes XXS to 4XL, designed for knit, 5 dress lengths: mini, mid thigh, petite, regular, tall, two strap options: fabric or decorative elastic

Don’t forget to head over to the rafflecopter giveaway to enter yourself for a chance to win a $35 store credit to Ellie and Mac!  Special thanks to Lo from Seams Sew Lo for sponsoring this blog tour and to Lindsay from Ellie and Mac for the awesome patterns and giveaway prize!  I appreciate you joining me today and please stop in with the rest of the tour to see what all of us have put together to get you in a springtime state of mind.  The link to the rafflecopter giveaway is at the bottom of the schedule!  

1. February 3rd: Seams Sew Lo (Intro)
2. February 4th: Seams Sew Lo
3. February 5th: Violets and Jewels
4. February 6th: Threadistry
5. February 7th: Mama Can Make it
6. February 8th: My Crazy Crafty Beautiful Life
7. February 9th: Aurora Designs
8. February 10th: Flaxfield Sewing
9. February 11th: Floral and Flannel
10. February 12th: FABulous Home Sewn
11. February 13th: Minns Things
12. February 14th: Our Play Place
13. February 15th: Tenille's Thread
14. February 16th: Seams Like Style
15. February 17th: Hutsepruts
16. February 18th: Candi Couture Designs
17. February 19th: My Sewing Roots
18. February 20th: Manning the Machine
19. February 21st: Stitched by Jennie
20. February 22nd: Kathy's Kwilts and More
21. February 23rd: Sewjourns
22. February 24th: Mermaid Mama Designs
23. February 25th: Fee Bricolo
24. February 26th: Oak Blue Designs
25. February 27th: Big Fly Notions
26. February 28th: Sewing Blue

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blessings and Happy Sewing,

Kim

Wandering through the Reed's (Laela Jeyne Wanderlust Collection Reed Trousers)

My husband is such a bear when it comes to clothes shopping.  Either the arms are too short, the legs are too long, the rear is too tight…the list goes on and on.  When Marisa from Laela Jeyne Patterns opened a test call for the new Wanderlust Collection, I was super excited to see that there is a men’s pants pattern in the mix.   We’ve been searching for the elusive perfect pants for an age, and now that he’s slimmed down, it’s even harder because he’s a mixture of two or three different sizes.  However, the Reed Trousers…these pants…there is so much perfect going on here that I am almost excited to an unhealthy level of enthusiasm. 

Hi there, everyone, Kim here from Nini and Ash, and I am so excited to be one of the stops on the Wanderlust Collection Blog tour.  This season, Marisa focused on pants, and I fully intend to sew up a few of the women’s and girl’s pants at some point.  For today’s stop, though, I focused on the Reed trousers for men and paired it with the Emmett top (which happens to be one of my husband’s favorites).

So, first, let’s get some pattern details going so you know what you are getting:

• Sizing from 32” to 56” so there’s a wide range of sizes that these pants can fit
• Clear, concise instructions with photos/drawings for each step in case you’re like me and use the reference photos while you’re sewing
• Layered printing so you only print what you want/need
• Detailed adjustment instructions so you can get the exact right fit for your (or your model’s) body type
• No trim pages so you don’t have to cut off any edges to make the pattern pieces line up

Since the start of the year, we’ve embarked on a journey to get ourselves trimmed down, and my husband has lost over 20 lbs so far.  This means pretty much all of his pants don’t fit, but it also means that he’s kind of in that weird "in between sizes" phase.  I made these pants in a straight size 40, and I cut a wedge in the back of the pants to make the waist smaller while still fitting the rest of him.  Really simple little fix, and it was perfect for getting a comfortable, smooth fit everywhere on the pants.

My favorite part on the pants was the welt pocket.  Usually my least favorite part to make, but these ones were actually really easy to do.  He picked a suiting fabric that was so easy to work with, and the instructions for the welt pockets made for easy sewing.  He opted against a button to close them because he never uses it.  He also didn’t want belt loops (which was happy news for me since I forgot about them until he asked if I had put them on). 

The pants overall took a bit of time to complete, but when you think about the welt pockets, the front pockets, the fly and fly extension...the extra time is well worth it because the end result is a sharp looking pair of pants that look even better than any pants you would grab off the rack at a store!  I will admit part of the extra time to complete was my fault.  I had to re-do the zipper when I didn't pay attention to what I was doing.  

The inseam for all sizes is 34” so it was super easy to shorten the pant length to his measurements.  I ended up shaving 2” off the length and using a 1” hem allowance.  He has a really long torso and arms, but he usually needs a shorter inseam on his pants.  The length on these hit him in a really nice spot, and the fit was relaxed but slimming on him.  I really love how they sat on him once he tried them on, and he was more than willing to pose for some photos with them...even if he took a business call just as the camera came out. :/!  I'll take what I can get considering how much I didn't pay him to go out in the cold and act like he was enjoying a spring day.

I paired this with the Emmett and went with the simple top with no buttons.  I did lengthen the arms because, again, he has really long arms.  This was a thermal knit that I got from Sincerely Rylee and was perfect to complement the light color that he chose for the pants. 

All in all, it's pretty much love around here when it comes to the Reed Trousers and the Emmett top!  He's already talked about his next pair of pants...if that means a trip to the fabric store for me, then I will absolutely make you another pair of pants, sweetie!!! :)!

As I said earlier, I am only one of the stops on the Wanderlust tour.  There are a lot of talented ladies who have sewn up each of the different pieces in the collection, and we'd love for you to stop in and see all of the collection pieces and the amazing creations that everyone has come up with.  THEN, you can head over to Laela Jeyne Patterns and buy the whole collection because I'm pretty sure you will "need" all of them once you see how beautiful all of these pants are.  My daughter has already asked for a pair of the Wren Skinny Jeans, and well, I need some new pants so I will have to grab the women's pants for myself!!

Take a tour with us and visit with some of our bloggers from the past few days:

Laela Jeyne Patterns Wanderlust Collection Blog Tour

January 30

Sea of Estrogen - A Jennuine Life - Once Upon a Sewing Machine

January 31

Stitched By Jennie - Sew a Piece of Joy

February 1

Sew Sew Ilse - The Sewing Scientist

February 2

Anna's Heirloom Boutique - Sew You Think You Can Sew - Nini and Ash

Now, head over to Laela Jeyne Patterns to get your copy of the patterns!  Here are the individual links to each of the patterns in the collection and a little big about each of them. All patterns in the Wanderlust Collection are currently on sale for $5 each.  That's a pretty phenomenal price for four staple pieces in any family's wardrobe!  *Please note that all links provided are affiliate links:

Reed Trousers: men's classic chinos, fits hip sizes 32"-56, slim fitting and relaxed through the legs, designed for non stretch woven

Willow Pleated Trousers: paper bag pleated paper bag style, fits sizes 00-26, 3 lengths (shorts, cropped or long), designed for non stretch woven

Ivy Trousers: classic chino style, fits sizes 00-26, slim fitting and relaxed through the legs, 3 lengths (shorts, cropped, and long), designed for non stretch woven

Wren Skinny Jeans: skinny jeans, fits sizes 12mos-10, slim fitting through the legs, designed for cotton woven

Thanks so much for stopping along the Wanderlust Collection Tour!  We appreciate you spending some time learning a little bit about the collection and letting us share our creations with you!  Now, grab your copy of these patterns and share your creations with us on the Laela Jeyne Patterns Facebook group!  

Blessings and Happy Sewing,
Kim

OH!  I can't believe I almost forgot!  Laela Jeyne Patterns is also celebrating a 3rd birthday so Marisa also has a sale on ALL patterns in the store (bundles excluded)!  $5 for all individual patterns and $6 for all swim patterns...the sale ends tomorrow (3 Feb) at midnight EST, and you don't want to miss out on some fantastic patterns...check them out!