Happy Me-Made May! My first week is all about pants, and one of my goals was to try some new silhouettes instead of the RTW skinny jeans I wear all winter. Well, enter the Closet Case Patterns Jenny Overalls/Pants pattern, with a stretch waist and stretch black denim!
I made this pattern a few times last year, as shorts in stretch twill and as flowy wide leg pants in challis and crepe. It was a good way to edge gently into the trendy wide leg silhouette, and this year I was ready to jump in! (Ok, jump in with cheap fabric, let’s be honest.)
According to the measurement chart for the pattern, I’m a size 20, with my hips a couple of inches beyond. I sewed it in a Size 20 last year for drapey non-stretch fabrics, but in stretch wovens I sew something closer to a size 16 in width. You KNOW how I feel about stretch pull on pants, so of course I made these comfy to wear! The rise on this pattern is crazy high (probably so it works as overalls) so I serged elastic to the top edge, folded and topstitched it down. No separate waistband at all!
So, what to wear with wide leg pants? For years the “rule” was balancing volume with something fitted, but I’m super fascinated by the current volume-with-volume trend. And for this outfit, I had the perfect inspiration: Jess from @fat.bobbin.girl and Broad In The Seams! If you don’t follow her, you should. She has style, wit, insight and things to say!
My dear friend and Sewcialists Editor Becky released her Workhorse Patterns Ione shirt hack pack at just the right time, and voila! It’s perfect!
As Becky says, the original Ione is an ode to the 80’s – you can see that clearly in this Esprit-inspired version she made! I like my original version, but you know I like everything better in a knit!
The hack pack walks you through a bunch of potential changes, like making a keyhole neckline or lengthening it into a dress… I chose to try the “70’s shoulder” adjustment which gives a soft curved shoulder seam, and followed the instructions for eliminating the yoke. I also took out 1.5″ of height above the bust and shortened the sleeves a bit, so it’s now properly petite-sized!
I used a 1m cut of rayon sweater knit that I’ve had on had for years. Turns our this pattern works perfectly as a summer sweater! I went for a straight hem because my fabric was limited, but I really like how it looks. It’s long enough in front that I would totally wear this to work, but it is short enough to still read as “cropped”.
(The pants are also as long as the fabric would allow… which I think turned out fine! I’ve kinda given up on trying to figure out the “right” length for cropped pants – I think ankle length or 7/8 looks too long on me, so I always bring them shorter than is trendy anyway!)
I sewed this in April (hence the fake flowers pretending it’s spring) but I’ll be wearing it happily during Me-Made May and beyond! Honestly, I’m more excited about this outfit than anything I’ve made for a while!
How do you feel about the volume-on-voume look for yourself?
Crafting A Rainbow 
I love this outfit! It looks fabulous on you!!!
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Thank you! I’m happy to report that is was really comfortable to wear all day, but I felt stylish in it too! Also cold, because it wasn’t quite warm enough for spring wear! 😉 But I was determined!
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I love these. You are such a prolific sewer! So awesome ❤️
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I know prolific sewing isn’t for everyone, but it does make me really happy! 🙂 And my wardrobe reaps all the benefits!
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This is very cute! I love the pants. Happy sewing!
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Thank you!!! It’s so exciting to be moving out of winter wear!
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The length of the pants is perfect but seriously, many cropped lengths can be perfect (depending on the rest of the silhouette). I have an outfit – bought last summer (in woven linen?!?!?! I generally hate linen of all kinds) – and it’s a blousy top and cropped wide pants. I think it works because the top is sleeveless so, between my ankles and my arms, I’m not overwhelmed by fabric. Also, the shoulders fit very nicely. They key is to find a touch point or 2 that highlights your actual form. Then you can go volume-on-volume with abandon.
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I think you are totally right – something has got to fit well, and then there can be as much volume as you want! One of my favourite dresses is still that Oona-inspired orange stripe maxi I made with a cocoon skirt, and I think it works because the shoulders are quite fitted. I’ve got plans for a similar dress in banana leaf print soon!
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I am so into this whole look. Those blue sandals really are making me crave warmer weather. I even zoomed in on your earrings & make-up! I love your stretch-pants-hacks. You’ve almost got a whole series right there… I’m into it.
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I’ll tell my friend – she made the earrings! 🙂
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I like the comfort level of volume on volume, which is good, because as an apple shape, snug clothes are not something I want to wear. Fabulous pattern matching on the sleeves, too, btw!
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Yes! And honestly, tight waistbands give me indigestion immediately, and bloating is not a cute look! Bring on the comfort!
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great outfit Gillian! I’m also loving the wide leg trousers lately. I just bought the MN Flint pants…looking forward to the tie closure. Your elastic idea is a great one as well.
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Flint seems like a really cute pattern! I hope you enjoy!!!
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The outfit is cute and it looks like you’re having a LOT of fun! I’m pretty ambivalent about the volume-with-volume thing, although it certainly suits my currently-evolving body! It’s interesting to watch, though!
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I LOVE this outfit. It looks great on you, it’s a powerful silhouette, and the pieces stand on their own. Oh just an everyday triumph!!
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