I think I can finally say that I've moved from being a sewing with knits 'novice' to a 'confident beginner'. All thanks to Laura from Craftstorming.
She asked me if I'd like to join the blog tour to celebrate the release of her new pattern Fancy Pants Leggings - of course yes - but I accepted with some trepidation. Knits are not my strength. Plus the range of knits at the local fabric store are desperately boring, so I went on the hunt at the local thrift stores for some items to upcycle. My fancy pants leggings began life as these two uninspiring t-shirts I bought for $2. (How ugly is that pink one? Such a bizarre shape!)
The pink top made up the main leg pieces and the green one was a great coordinating colour for the bum panel. Plus I didn't have to add cuffs or hem the ankles, I just used the existing waistband on the t-shirt. Yay for upcycling short cuts!
Photo shoots with Lucy are always unpredictable. For this one she decided to grab this necklace from the dress ups box. I decided to roll with it - I quite like the 80s styling. The necklace is actually mine, I was given it for my 6th birthday in 1986! My sister had a matching one. It has bells on it and the girls adore it. It's fun to see them enjoying things I loved as a kid.
This pattern was SO easy. And fun! That bum panel is a great way to add some colour and variety to the leggings, and some extra room for little ones who wear nappies. Laura has done an amazing job with the pattern - it is one of the best independent patterns I've ever used. Her instructions are clear and detailed and the design of the PDF is really professional. She provides options to make the leggings into shorts or pants, to use ribbing or elastic and tips for using both a sewing machine or overlocker. It's also a great pattern for both boys and girls which makes it a really versatile winner.
My kids are short for their age - both Trev and I are 5ft 4" so no surprises! As a result, I also shortened the leg length for Lucy. I made a size 18-24 month and shortened the leg length to 12 month size.
As per usual, when one gets something new, the other must have it too! Some fancy pants leggings for Anna are on my list!
For more amazing versions of this pattern, you can check out all the other awesome bloggers on this tour:
20th - Abby from Things for Boys
21st - Rachael from Imagine Gnats
22nd - Celina from Petit à Petit and Family
23rd - Jane from Buzzmills
24th - Heather from Feather's Flight
27th - Stacey from Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy
28th - Gail from Probably Actually
29th - Jenny from The Southern Institute
30th - Ros from Sew Delicious
31st - Carla from Small + Friendly
Giveaway! I've got a Fancy Pants Leggings Pattern to give to one of my readers! Just pop over and like Craftstorming or Titchy Threads on Facebook, and leave a comment telling me that you did, and give me the details for your plans for this pattern! Be creative - my favourite comment will win!
21st - Rachael from Imagine Gnats
22nd - Celina from Petit à Petit and Family
23rd - Jane from Buzzmills
24th - Heather from Feather's Flight
27th - Stacey from Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy
28th - Gail from Probably Actually
29th - Jenny from The Southern Institute
30th - Ros from Sew Delicious
31st - Carla from Small + Friendly
Giveaway! I've got a Fancy Pants Leggings Pattern to give to one of my readers! Just pop over and like Craftstorming or Titchy Threads on Facebook, and leave a comment telling me that you did, and give me the details for your plans for this pattern! Be creative - my favourite comment will win!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI "liked" both on FB. :) I totally plan on making matching leggings for my 6 & 7 year old daughters in the "Valori Wells Karavan Marrakech Blossom Pink" (so stinkin' cute) fabric that I found here: http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=3a835b36-3020-4329-9893-bcf2b101c330
Already a Craftstorming liker and loving seeing these leggings popping up everywhere. I think our baby girl needs some in her wardrobe. And also her older brothers, but we might just call them pyjamas instead of leggings!
ReplyDeleteI love what you've done with the pattern! I haven't had a great op-shop score for a while now.
ReplyDeleteI liked Craftstorming on FB. This pattern looks pretty easy. I think I would like to try upcycling something for my girls with this pattern. I've sewn a few things with knit, but I haven't upcycled anything yet.
ReplyDeleteAwesome way to recycle! I'm kind of new to sewing, and a first time mom... Wouldn't it be great if I could make some stylish pants for my 3 month old boy AND getting rid of some of my husband's old tees at the same time!? Even though I'm just beginning to sew, seeing the fancy pants tour really makes me want to try this pattern!
ReplyDeleteGreat refashioning to use the waistband as the cuffs, Ros and a fabulous pair of leggings... love the price, too. I have a tonne of t-shirts waiting to be refashioned and these leggings would make the pile a little smaller. Have liked Craftstorming...
ReplyDeleteI liked both on facebook! I would love nothing more than to purge my husband's t-shirts down to the last 100! I'm beginning to think he belongs on the show 'Hoarders'! Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration...but only slight. I would love to make a matching trio for my 5 month old twins and my 25 month old toddler. I really didn't think their bums could be any cuter...but I think with these pants they might just be!
ReplyDeletemcintoshsusan@hotmail dot com
Those T-shirts look so much better as leggings than they did originally! I love these and Lucy look very happy in them. I'm pleased to hear you're feeling more confident with knits not. Thanks so much for joining the tour.
ReplyDeleteThey look great Ros :) That t-shirt was sad, but it looks fabulous as leggings. Love love love the necklace too.
ReplyDeleteI just won the pattern on another stop on the tour :) :) Can not wait to sew some up. Laura has set the bar super high for indie pattern designers I think! I will happily purchase her future patterns because I now know how high her standard of work is :)
I like Titchy Threads on FB. I'd love to get some solid knits in blues and bleach pen some stars all over. And then a cute rocket ship on the bum! I think my boys would be in love :)
ReplyDeleteI liked them both. These leggings are really cute. I plan in making some for my new little nephew who'll be arriving in September. Might even make some for my girls and my nieces too. They would also make great pjs hey! I love your idea of thrifting some tshirts to use. Finding nice knits in my local store is so difficult. Everything is plain and boring!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing Ros. And what a model she is. Looks like she's a natural! LOL
ReplyDeletexx
Oh my, these leggings are as cute as can be and your lovely Lucy, with her impish grin, models them perfectly! I can barely sew, but I so enjoy following your blog and learning many ways to improve my skills. All the way from Washington State, USA, thanks, Ros!
ReplyDeleteI love both of those on FB. My plans for the leggings involve turning them into sleep shorts for my son. I have a turquoise polka dot knit in the stash, and I would like to find some orange ribbing to use for the bands. I'll make a matching Flashback tee for the shirt and I'll have a cute pj set!
ReplyDeleteCute as!
ReplyDelete