Wide Leg Cropped Pants

I am loving these wide leg cropped pants!! They are the same pant that I made for my last Fabric Mart post and that I tried out this winter in a stretch woven.  Its McCalls 7445 by Melissa Watson for Palmer/Plestch.  I'll say it again, I love those Palmer/Plestch patterns because all the alteration lines are on the pattern.  

This pair is made up in Linen (can't remember where it was purchased) and they were wonderful to wear all day.  I wanted them to be summer appropriate as well as use up this gorgeous cut of linen that's been lingering in my stash for so.very.long.  Being linen I was sure these would wrinkle like the devil but after an hour and a half in the car I don't think they look so bad at all!! Win! 

As far as sewing notes go...I was unsure about the crotch seam stretching out so I reinforced it with twill tape.  I also added the pocket stay in the front for a smoother fit as well as moving the zipper to the side seam and eliminating the exposed front zipper. 

Although I don't relish showing the back of these I feel that for anyone who wants to make them up they could benefit from seeing it, sooo, there you go.  The wind was blowing terribly so its a little hard to make out the back but the fit is really good. 

The top is a McCall's Palmer/Plestch thats now out of print.  The shoulders came out a little wide but it was really comfortable to wear all day.  The fabric is a stretchy double knit from Fabric Mart last spring. 

I foresee wearing these pants A LOT this summer both for leisure and work and there may have to be one more pair in this awesome black and white aztec sateen I've been hoarding!!

Thanks for reading and Happy Sewing!

Elizabeth

Flint Again

I made the Megan Nielsen Flint pant again (!) and I love them, AGAIN! 

I originally made the Flint pant as a tester last fall and that pair was more work appropriate, made up in a stretch pinstripe suiting.  For this pair I really wanted something more everyday, casual that would work great for our, you guessed it, beach trip.  Yep, still sewing for that.  What can I say, I really do better with my sewing if I have some goal to work toward, I am hugely productive when that is the case.  For some reason lately the beach trip has been motivating my sewing more that all the contests at Pattern Review. 

 In any case, these turned out awesome.  I love them and have worn them two days in a row after making them.  Sometimes I wonder about the shape of these, are they flattering-are they not...but I come back to the fact that I really enjoy wearing them and that's what matters most! 

The fabric is from Fabric Mart Fabrics, and I believe it is a tencil/poly blend or cotton/poly blend chambray.  It has a little stretch and isn't shirt weight or bottom weight, somewhere in between.  So it feels very light, is opaque but not too light.  Helpful for you to know all that, I'm sure!  

I believe it was a "Julie's Pick," and if you aren't familiar with Julie's pick, its a monthly subscription over at Fabric Mart.  You receive samples of gorgeous fabrics each month that only subscribers can purchase.  You also receive a set on monthly coupons which are really good, things like free bundles, free shipping, discount this or that...good stuff.  Worth it if you are new to sewing and trying to familiarize yourself with fabric types.  

As far as construction, and fit, I made the size Medium, like last time.  I also changed the waistband interfacing a little (since it is folded over on itself I added interfacing to only one half the length of the waistband so that it wouldn't be too restrictive or stiff) and added quarters to the hemline to weigh them down (one at each seam at the hem, four total).  This is not my original idea, I read about it on Erika Bunker's blog and thought it was a great tip!

The top is McCalls 6963 and is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern, I love these for the alteration lines that they include on the pattern pieces.  I should've narrowed the shoulders on this one and will do so the next time I make it.  I will also have to rethink the back neck finishing, maybe adding a dart.  It sits out away from my neck a bit.  I like that this is a T-shirt pattern with a little something extra with the cowl neck.  The fabric is from Fabric Mart as well and was included in a free bundle.  I am pretty sure its a rayon/lycra.   

 

My eight year old is my fashion photographer and in exchange for her time and talents I have to oblige her photo direction and pose however she instructs.  This pose is called "super mom" however I think it looks more like an off kilter yoga pose :)  she is much better at the super hero poses than I!

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

Elizabeth