Here is a brand new Henley pattern with no buttonholes. Yes, you heard right. Love Notions has just launched the Breckinridge Henley sewing pattern which is sure to be a favourite of many. I am honestly not a fan of buttonholes but I can’t always avoid them. However, my sewing machine and I hate sewing buttonholes on knit fabrics. I have already made two tops from the Breckinridge Henley pattern and I don’t think they will be my last. My final version is in pink in honour of Pink October for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Here is a pattern review video if you would rather watch instead of read.
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I made my first version out of a Striped cotton jersey fabric which was generously given to me by Fabrics for All. I am a blogger for Fabrics for All and I am given fabric in exchange for a review. The stripe pink and yellow fabric is the perfect fabric for pink October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This fabric also comes in other colourways which are still in stock online. I really enjoyed sewing up with it because it is quite stable and has a good weight to it.
My second version was made with two viscose jersey fabrics. The main fabric is a floral red which I picked up from a local fabric store a few years ago. And the grey viscose jersey I used to colour block was a scrap fabric I had in my stash.
The Making
I sewed up both my versions in size XS he sewing process these tops was straight forward. The one part in the process which would be a bit of a challenge is sewing the placket but the instructions come with a video tutorial which simplifies that part.
For the pink top, I sewed up the long-sleeved version with the tabs. The cotton jersey fabric gave me a more relaxed and almost boxy fit.
Alterations
I took in the top at the side seams for a more close fit.
I shortened the top by 1 inch mostly because I have a shorter torso compared to the rest of my body.
The red floral viscose jersey version was made with the short sleeves. The viscose fabric has more drape and fits better on the body. I did not find the need to take in this top because I was happy with the overall fit. This version was not shortened and it comes past my hips.
The finished projects
I am really happy with my final makes from this pattern. I am so sure these will not be my last. I hope to sew up the dress variation next with probably short sleeves. I hope you give this amazing pattern a go. You will not be disappointed. Thank you for stopping by. xx
I am back again with another sewing pattern review. I am slowly easing into pants making which is one of my sewing goals of 2020. You can access my 2020 sewing resolutions video in the sidebar of this website or over on my Youtube channel. I also had a goal to sew more separates which I have also done with these Meghan Nielsen Flint pants. I know you are more interested in knowing how I got along with making them.
Here is the video where I review this pattern and the fabric in detail if you would rather watch it instead.
The Fabric
I used a paisley print stretch cotton fabric for these pants which was perfect for the project. It washed and ironed really well and I honestly can not fault it at all. I was sceptical about my choice of fabric as I thought that these culottes required a more drapey fabric. However, upon looking at the fabric recommendations for the pattern, I realised that they are drafted for both stable and drapey fabrics. So I went ahead and sewed them up.
The fabric I used was generously gifted to me by Fabrics for All in exchange for a blog post reviewing it. This is a continued arrangement I have with Fabrics for All as a member of their blogger’s team. Currently, the physical shop is locked however Sarah (the owner) continues to process orders made both online and by phone. This is the best way we can continue to support small businesses which may suffer during this lockdown.
The Pattern
The Flint pants are wide-leg cropped pants or shorts pattern with a unique crossover closure at the side seam. Pattern sits on the natural waist and features hidden closure at the left pocket. It features release tucks at the front, darts at the back, slash pockets and two waistband options.
The pattern comes in four views. View A is a pair of above ankle cropped pants with button closures. View B is a pair of above ankle cropped pants with tie closure. View C is a pair of shorts with button closures. View D is a pair of shorts with tie closures.
This pattern sizing ranges from 0 to 20 in both print or digital PDF versions. And the curve sizes which are from sizes 14 to 30 are only available in digital PDF version.
The Making
I sewed up view A these pants in size 2 after making the toile in size 4 which was big. The making of these pants was pretty straightforward thanks to the well-written instructions. However, I still needed to make a few alterations because I rarely get a pattern to fit straight out of the envelope.
The first alteration I made was removing the release tucks at the front. This was mostly because they were likely not to sit flat with the fabric of choice. And also I did not need them for fitting purposes. A detailed tutorial on how to remove the tucks can be found on Meghan Nielsen’s blog.
The swayback Adjustment was the other and most important alteration i made to this pattern. It gave these pants an overall perfect fit. It was my first go at making a swayback adjustment on pants. In the video mentioned above, I share in detail how I went about with this adjustment.
The Finished Garment
I love how these pants turned out. They fit perfectly well and the gorgeous fabric I used is the cherry on top. These won’t be my last pair as I am already planning on another. Thank you for stopping by and keep safe. 🙂
Do you struggle to find panties that give full coverage? In this case, I am referring to briefs, hipsters and bikinis. If I am not going for thongs or G-strings, I would be more comfortable with my panties giving full coverage to my bum. However, that has been a dream of mine that had never been realised. I always went a size up when I bought panties, but still, I never achieved the coverage I was after. I embarked on a journey of sewing panties that I would be happy with.
Patterns
I looked up panties sewing patterns that give full coverage and came across the Binkie panties pattern by Evie la Luve. This pattern is your everyday hipster comfortable panty. And It is meant to give good coverage over the bum and with the leg opening sitting low on the hip.
Binky Panties by Evie la Luve
I also decided to draft a panties pattern using my body measurements with the help of the Bluprint class Sewing Panties: Construction and Fit by Beverly Johnson. This is a detailed class which shows you how to properly draft and sew a custom panty which flatters any body size and shape. It also offers design features such as adding lace embellishments and various styles.
I succeded at sewing up panties that fit me well and are very comfortable to wear. Both patterns gave me good coverage, however, the self- drafted pattern gave me the perfect fit. This is because It was made using my personal measurements.
Are you inspired to sew up your own panties?
Thanks for stopping by!
Josie xx
Lifestyle blogger
Josephine is an entrepreneur, blogger, public health professional who loves sewing, baking and is passionate about a healthy and natural lifestyle.
Josephine is an entrepreneur, blogger, public health professional who loves sewing, baking and is passionate about a healthy and natural lifestyle.
