My First Printed Pant Set!

 

 

 

My FIRST project of 2024!

 

Printed pant sets are usually not my style. I don't think I've ever had one before, sewn or RTW, but I wanted to step out of my comfort zone this year, so I made this set. I found the fabric in the pre-cut fabric bin at . . . Walmart! It was 3 yards of a very nice Hermes inspired 60 inch wide knit print for $8. When I saw it, my first thought was, WHAT!?!

 

I didn't know what I'd make with it, so I left it. Once I got home, I started thinking about several things I could make with it, so a few days later, I was back at Walmart. Surprisingly, it was still there, and it came home with me. It was meant to be!

 

I used 4 patterns to get the look that I wanted:

 

 

 

 

I made the elastic waist straight legged pants with a TNT vintage pattern, McCalls 6559. If my waist changes, I can adjust up or down by tightening or loosening the elastic. Works for me! I used a vintage pattern, but you can use any pattern that fits you, current or vintage. I love pockets and try not to make pants without them. These pants have an inseam pocket on each side, AND the top of the pockets are sewn into the waist seam. I love pockets like this because they stay in place, no flapping. The only thing that I don't really like about this pant pattern is that it's drafted for a drawstring. I don't like drawstring waists, so I widened the waist band to accommodate the 1" wide elastic that I wanted to use.

 

 

 

For the top, I used my TNT for knit wrap tops, McCalls 5434. The first time I sewed with it, I had to raise the neckline because it was too low and too wide. I did a lot of muslins! I put in the work back then, and am glad that I did even if it was a pain in the neck, because I still have a pattern that I can count on when I need a knit wrap top. No worries about it exposing too much at all.

The pattern is not for a true wrap. It's supposed to have a tie on the inside to keep it in place. I don't like when wraps are drafted like that because it always leaves a little lump where it's tied on the inside. I turned it into a true wrap by adding a pull through opening on one side, so the tie could wrap around, resulting in a tie at the side. The pull through tie is one length, and I cut the other tie 12" shorter. This is what works for me:

I gave this a more current look by changing the sleeves from regular sleeves to bishop sleeves. Instead of drafting the change, I frankenpatterned the sleeves (see the picture of the patterns to see which pattern I used). I wanted regular cuffs, so I took them from another pattern. Frankenpatterning is one of the greatest sewing techniques for creative types, like you and me, when we have a vision, but can't find an exact pattern for what we want, and don't really want to do any scratch drafting. When new patterns are dropped by Simplicity.com, I'm always looking at them for style elements that I might want to use. If I see something I don't already have, and think I might want to add it to something I make in the future, I'll get the pattern. Here's the bishop sleeve:

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I love how the tie creates flattering radiants:

I made this back in January, but haven't worn it out, yet. Still working up the courage to wear a printed pant set in public! LOL! Hmm, I put a lot of thought and work into this set, so I'm saying it right here and now . . . (gulp) . . . I'm wearing it before February turns into March.

I really do love the style, and am thinking about making a set in a solid color.

I hope you are well. 

Please take care of yourself because there's some crazy going on out in the world right now. 

Till next time,

Summer