This year is starting off with organization and figuring out priorities. I know I’ve talked about it before, but I’m bringing it up again! One of the goals I’m working toward this year is to buy a plotter printer. My time is scarce, and I spend way too much of it gluing patterns together. So, I’ll be spending the year saving a bit here and a skosh there until I can order one, with some supplies. This decision led me to the realization that I, and probably a lot of people in the wonderful sewing community, spend a good bit of time gluing (or taping) patterns, then grading and making alterations for our individual bodies. Then we just to sew it once or twice!! Now, don’t get me wrong, even if you sew a pattern once, it is SO WORTH THE TIME to do all of this. It will fit better, wear better, look better, and feel better. Better than ready to wear. Better than a pattern off the block. But, if I’m spending all that time to get a pattern to fit me just right, why not see how versatile I can make it? That is how I decided to do Work It: 12 Months, 1 Pattern, No Repeats.
Here is the plan. I’m going to be using the 5oo4 Diane Joggers pattern as a base. I tested this pattern and loved the fit right off the pattern. Made just a couple little tweaks and it is perfect! Every month, I am going to sew up another pair of Dianes. Some months will be options in the pattern, while other months are hacks, with some great Sly Fox Fabric changes thrown in to show the difference that can be made with choosing the right fabrics. But the deal is, I won’t be making two of the same bottoms all year. You will get to see 12 unique pieces, presented one month at a time. Some will be small changes, some…well, you’ll see. I’ll talk about what options I chose or hacked, which fabric I used, and my thoughts on the end result. I’m also going to be pairing each bottom with a great 5oo4 top, because I don’t typically walk around topless, so why not take advantage of the coordinating fabrics Sly Fox shows on their website and making a matching top?
Since I love my readers, I also reached out to 5oo4 and one of my absolute favorite fabric companies to see if they were interested in sponsoring this series. So, if you love one of these pieces, you’ll get to enter to win a $10 5oo4 credit every single month. You can pick up the pattern and make your own! And, I’ll be able to point you to the exact fabric I use, so you can recreate the pieces for your own closet!!
So, let’s talk about this first pair! We are starting with the basics so I can get a feel for the fit (since I haven’t made them in a while) and show you guys what the pattern looks like without alterations. We have the joggers in pants length, cuffed, with pockets. I went for mid-rise with the enclosed elastic waistband. I even made my own drawstring, so it would match exactly! (If you don’t know how to do this, I simply cut a piece of my fabric at 1.5 inches wide and the length of the drawstring in the cut chart. I serged it and flipped right side out. Trimmed up the ends and done!) The pattern includes tips to get your pockets just perfect like mine (I’m not tooting my own horn here, because these pockets ARE perfect.) She recommends wonder tape, which is my favorite way to install a patch pocket exactly where you want it, without shifting!!
I used this baby French terry and it feels like I am wearing clouds as pants. So soft, but thick enough to hide…well, what I’d like to hide. It was super easy to work with and I’m so glad I jumped into the pre-order when this color came out. But guess what? There’s another pre-order right now!!! With some absolutely stunning spring colors! Check them out here. (Pre-order open until February 3rd.) Between pre-order prices and flat rate shipping, you can buy ALL THE FABRIC!!!
Back to these pants…It doesn’t get THAT cold in Atlanta, but it isn’t exactly warm right now either. So, I’m really excited to add some comfy, warm pants that I can wear to bed, or even out and about. Though, if we’re being completely honest, they will probably be my new sewing pants. My craft room is on the low level of our split-level house, with tile floors (I assume over cement) and it gets downright cold in there.
I definitely needed a top to match and since I picked this gorgeous olive, the Packer fan in me needed to pick a beautiful yellow fabric for it!! I ordered these stars on double brushed poly about a year ago and just couldn’t cut into them. It was finally time…and it was a WIN!! I used the top from the Molly Pajamas. Y’all. It comes with a FBA front!!!!!! Seriously. The shoulders fit perfectly!!!! I love that 5oo4 often includes these little perks in their patterns. The DBP is a great fabric for this, so while they don’t have this exact one, there are GORGEOUS options to choose from. Just a little structure, plus so soft and comfy!! Absolutely wonderful for lounging around the house, but still cute enough to run to the store, or wear with jeans.
The only thing I changed about Molly is shortening the sleeves. I like a super short, short sleeve, so, whenever I’m not in testing, I pretty much always shorten them. I just measure about 2.5 inches from the underarm seam and draw a line perpendicular to the hem on the pattern piece. I’m definitely going to add just a bit of length to the Molly, for she is true shirt length, I didn’t read the finished length measurement before starting (terrible…), and I like a bit longer of a shirt, then make a few for every day wear!! It is so comfy, and the neckline is perfect!
So, let’s make this all about you. Do you need some comfy ass joggers? Enter below to win a gift card to pick up the Diane pattern, and head over to Sly Fox for all the best fabrics!! Then follow along all year and add some beautiful pieces to your closet.
Stephanie xx
